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Business Communication.
Business Communication.
- The communication process involves several steps, including the sender, encoding,
message, channel, decoding, receiver, feedback, and context.
2. Business communication:
3. Flow of Communication:
- Diagonal communication takes place between individuals across different levels and
departments.
4. Levels of Communication:
- Accuracy: Ensuring that the information communicated is factual, reliable, and up-to-
date.
- Feedback: Allowing for two-way communication and gathering feedback for continuous
improvement.
6. Importance of Communication:
8. Types of Communication:
- Written communication: Reports, emails, letters, memos, and other written documents.
- Formal communication network: Follows the official hierarchical structure and formal
channels.
- Cultural barriers: Differences in values, beliefs, and norms that can lead to
misunderstandings.
When preparing for a formal presentation, it's crucial to understand and effectively
communicate your message to the audience. Here are some key elements to consider:
1. Occasion:
- Physical facilities: Assess the venue, seating arrangements, and available audio-visual
equipment to ensure your presentation is tailored to the setting.
- Time: Consider the allocated time for your presentation and plan your content
accordingly, allowing time for questions and discussions.
- Context: Understand the context or event in which your presentation will take place, as
this can influence the tone and approach.
- Tone: Determine the appropriate tone for your presentation based on the occasion,
audience, and purpose.
2. Audience:
- Level of knowledge: Gauge the audience's existing knowledge or expertise on the topic
to determine the appropriate depth and complexity of your content.
- Age range: Tailor your language, examples, and delivery style to resonate with the age
range of your audience.
- Attitude: Consider the audience's attitudes, interests, and potential biases towards the
topic or your position, and address them appropriately.
3. Purpose:
- Inform: If your purpose is to inform or educate the audience, focus on presenting factual
information, data, and key concepts clearly and concisely.
- Analyze: If you aim to analyze a topic, provide a balanced and critical examination of
different perspectives, factors, or arguments.
- Persuade: If your goal is to persuade the audience, craft a compelling argument with
supporting evidence and appeals to logic, emotion, or credibility.
- Solve a problem: If you're presenting a solution, clearly define the problem, outline
potential solutions, and justify your recommended approach.
- Motivate: If your purpose is to motivate the audience, use inspiring language, stories,
and calls to action to engage and encourage them.
4. Thesis/Crux:
- Establish a clear and concise thesis or central idea that serves as the main focus of your
presentation.
- Ensure that all your content, arguments, and supporting materials align with and
reinforce your thesis or crux.
5. Material:
- Organize your content in a logical and coherent flow, using an introduction, body, and
conclusion structure.
- Gather relevant and credible supporting materials, such as data, examples, visuals, or
quotes, to strengthen your points.
- Prepare visual aids (e.g., slides, handouts, or other multimedia) that enhance your
presentation and aid in audience understanding.
- Practice and refine your delivery, ensuring clarity, appropriate pacing, and effective use
of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.
By considering these elements and tailoring your presentation accordingly, you can
effectively communicate your message, engage your audience, and achieve your desired
purpose during a formal presentation.
There are several modes of delivery that a speaker can employ during a presentation or
public speaking engagement. Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages, and
the choice depends on the speaker's preference, the occasion, and the nature of the content.
The main modes of delivery are:
1. Extemporaneous: This is considered the best and most effective mode of delivery by
many public speaking experts. In this mode, the speaker has prepared and practiced the
speech thoroughly, but does not memorize or read it verbatim. Instead, the speaker uses a
brief outline or notes as a guide, allowing for a more natural and conversational delivery.
This mode allows for flexibility, eye contact with the audience, and the ability to adapt the
speech based on audience feedback.
2. Manuscript: In this mode, the speaker reads the entire speech word-for-word from a
written manuscript or script. This mode ensures accuracy and consistency in the delivery
of the content, especially when precise wording or complex information is involved.
However, it can come across as impersonal and make it challenging to establish a
connection with the audience.
3. Memorization: In this mode, the speaker memorizes the entire speech verbatim and
delivers it without the aid of notes or a manuscript. This mode can create a sense of
confidence and fluency when executed well. However, it is a high-risk approach as any
lapse in memory can disrupt the flow and undermine the speaker's credibility. Additionally,
it can lead to a more rigid and monotonous delivery.
4. Impromptu: This mode involves delivering a speech with little or no preparation. The
speaker may be given a topic or prompt on the spot and must organize their thoughts and
deliver the speech extemporaneously. This mode requires strong public speaking skills,
quick thinking, and the ability to think on one's feet. It is often used in situations such as
Q&A sessions, panel discussions, or when responding to unexpected situations.
Among these modes, the extemporaneous mode is generally considered the best for most
formal presentations or public speaking engagements. It strikes a balance between
preparation and spontaneity, allowing the speaker to connect with the audience while
maintaining control over the content and delivery.
However, the choice of mode ultimately depends on the speaker's comfort level, the nature
of the content, and the specific requirements of the occasion. Some speakers may prefer the
security of a manuscript for highly technical or legal content, while others may thrive with
the challenge of an impromptu delivery. Effective speakers often combine elements of
different modes, adapting their delivery style to the specific situation and audience.
You have provided a comprehensive overview of listening skills, which are crucial for
effective communication. Let me summarize and expand on the key points you've made:
2. Types of Listening:
b. Empathetic: Listening with the intent to understand the speaker's emotions, feelings,
and experiences.
d. Critical: Listening with the objective of evaluating and analyzing the message critically.
f. 'You' Viewpoint: Listening from the speaker's perspective, trying to understand their
point of view.
Hearing and listening, while often used interchangeably, are distinct processes. Here's the
breakdown:
Hearing
1. Passive process: It's the physiological ability to perceive sound waves through your
ears.
2. Involves the ears only: It's a biological function, like your heart beating.
3. Unintentional: You can't control whether you hear a loud noise or not.
Listening
1. Active process: It's a conscious effort to understand the meaning behind sounds you
hear.
2. Involves more than just ears: You use your brain to interpret, analyze, and
remember what you hear.
3. Intentional: You choose to focus your attention on specific sounds or conversations.
a. Judge the content, not the speaker: Focus on the message, not the speaker's
characteristics or delivery style.
c. Paraphrase essential points: Restate the main points to ensure accurate understanding.
d. Attend to gaps: Pay attention to gaps or discrepancies between what is said and what is
meant.
e. Respond to non-verbal cues: Be attuned to the speaker's body language, tone, and other
non-verbal signals.
f. Active and passive listening: Balance active listening (e.g., note-taking, questioning)
with passive listening (e.g., silence, attentiveness).
g. Aesthetic listening: Appreciate the beauty, rhythm, and artistry of language or speech.
i. Comprehensive listening: Grasp the complete message, including facts, details, and main
ideas.
Negotiation is an important communication process that aims to resolve conflicts and reach
mutually acceptable agreements between two or more parties. Let's explore the various
aspects of negotiation that you've mentioned:
Conflict Resolution:
1. Getting too emotional: Allowing emotions to take over and cloud rational decision-
making.
2. Focusing on personalities, not issues: Attacking or criticizing the other party instead of
addressing the core issues.
3. Focusing solely on one's own needs: Failing to consider the other party's interests and
concerns.
4. Wanting to win at all costs: Adopting a zero-sum mentality, where one party's gain is
seen as the other's loss.
2. Confident: Exhibiting confidence in their position and abilities, without being arrogant or
dismissive.
3. Sincere: Being honest, transparent, and trustworthy in their communication and actions.
4. Respectful: Showing respect for the other party's views, concerns, and cultural
differences.
5. Active listener: Practicing active listening skills to understand the other party's
perspective.
8. Patient: Maintaining patience and composure, even in the face of challenges or setbacks.
Four Stages of Negotiation:
4. Closing and Commitment: Finalizing the agreement, ensuring mutual understanding, and
securing commitments from all parties.
1. Hard Negotiators: Focused on achieving their own goals, using tactics like pressure,
threats, or manipulation. They may be competitive and confrontational.