COS 109: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Credit: 3 Duration: 30 hours

Objective

This course covers how to maintain an effective communication system in an organisation. The
course helps to develop listening skills, verbal, non-verbal communication and the essentials of
business communication skills.

Modules
MODULE I: Introduction, Nature and Scope of Communication
Introduction, Nature and Scope of Communication, Role of Communication, Definition, Elements
of communication, Process of communication, Barriers to Communication, Mis-communication,
Characteristics of successful communication, Important functions of Managing, Managing &
Communicating, Communication structure in an organization, Communication and the line/staff
management, Formal and Informal communication

MODULE II: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Verbal and Non-verbal communication, Oral communication, Skills & effectiveness, Types of
conversations, Essentials of Business conversation, Instructions, Non-verbal communication,
Characteristics and guidelines for developing non-verbal communication, Interpreting non-verbal
messages, Effective use of non-verbal communication.

MODULE III: Listening

What is effective listening?, Poor listening habits, Types of listening, Effective/Ineffective
listening skills, Pay off/ barriers to effective listening, Strategies for effective listening, Active
and Passive listening, Leadership and Listening.

MODULE IV: Presentation and Public Speaking

Business Presentation and Public Speaking, Elements and Design of Presentation, Preparation and
Delivery, Controlling nervousness, Effective Sales Presentation, Public Speaking in organisations,
Why speak?, Skills, Preparing successful management speech, Delivering clear message, Practice.

MODULE V: Business Conversations

Business Conversation, Non-verbal cues in conversation, Conversation Management, Stressful
conversation, Persuasiveness in conversation.

MODULE VI: Business Writing and Business Correspondence

Business Writing and Business Correspondence, The Seven Cs, Common components, Body of
the letter, Kinds of business letters, Writing effective memos, E mail, Fax, Oral and written
Instructions, Product Instructions, Associated Graphics
Suggested Readings:

1. Business Communication by PD Chaturvedi & Mukesh Chaturvedi – Pearson Education

2. Business Communication by Meenakshi Raman & Prakash Singh – Oxford Press
3. Business Communication for Managers by Penrose, Rasberry and Myers – Thomson
4. Effective Business Communication by Krizen, Patricia Merrier, Logan & Williams –
Cengage Learning
5. Effective Business Communication by Herta A Murphy, Herbert W Hildebrandt & Jane P
Thomas – McGraw-Hill
6. Management Communication – A Case Analysis Approach by James s. O’ Rourke IV
and Anubha Singh – Pearson Education