Final: 14-6-2016
ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of Business Administration)
COURSE: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS (3456)
SEMESTER: AUTUMN 2016
CHECKLIST
This packet comprises the following material:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Textbook
Assignment No. 1 & 2
Course outlines
Assignment forms (2 sets)
Schedule for submitting the assignments
In this packet, if you find anything missing out of the above-mentioned material, please
contact at the address given below: -
The Mailing Officer
Mailing Section, Block # 28
Allama Iqbal Open University
Sector H-8, Islamabad.
Tel: (051) 9057611, 9057612
Ms. Mobashira Alvi
Course Coordinator
ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of Business Administration)
WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR
SOLVING THE ASSIGNMENT/S WILL DEBAR THE
STUDENT FROM AWARD OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF
FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN
FROM OTHER/S AS ONES OWN, WILL BE PENALIZED AS
DEFINED IN AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY.
Course: Business Communications (3456)
Level: BS (CS)
Pass Marks: 40
Semester: Autumn 2016
Total Marks: 100
ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Units: 15)
Note: Attempt all questions.
Q. 1 What is Business Communication? Discuss the Process of Communication in detail
with examples.
(20)
Q. 2 Write short notes on following:
(a) Non-Verbal Communication
(b) National Cultural Variables and Business Communication
(10)
(10)
Q. 3 Explain the process of writing effective business massages.
(20)
Q. 4 Write a Goodwill message to your employee recovering from a major car accident. (20)
Q. 5 Write short notes on the following:
a)
Bad-news Messages
b)
Persuasive Messages
(10)
(10)
ASSIGNMENT No. 2
(Units: 69)
Note: Attempt all questions.
Q. 1 Explain the contents of a Formal Report in detail.
Total Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 40
Q. 2 Compare and contrast Government Proposals from Formal Proposals.
(20)
(20)
Q. 3 Oral Presentations require an art of successful speaking, discuss related strategies. (20)
2
Q. 4 Cover-letter can seal the deal for a Job interview, discuss with examples.
(20)
Q. 5 Pen-down your strengths and weaknesses, keeping effective communication
strategies in mind that can help you land a job.
(20)
GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
You should look upon the assignments as a test of knowledge, management skills, and
communication skills. When you write an assignment answer, you are indicating your
knowledge to the teacher:
Your level of understanding of the subject;
How clearly you think?
How well you can reflect on your knowledge & experience?
How well you can use your knowledge in solving problems, explaining situations,
and describing organizations and management?
How professional you are, and how much care and attention you give to what you do?
To answer a question effectively, address the question directly, bring important related
issues into the discussion, refer to sources, and indicate how principles from the course
materials apply. You must also be able to identify important problems and implications
arising from the answer.
For citing references, writing bibliographies, and formatting the assignment, APA format
should be followed.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE
Course Code (3456)
UNIT 1: AN OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION
1.1.
Defining communication
1.2.
Importance of communication
1.3.
Communication process
1.4.
Concepts of communication
1.5.
Barriers in communication
1.6.
Nonverbal communication
1.7.
Principles of effective communication
UNIT 2: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT
2.1.
Business communication and the global context
2.1.1. Background to intercultural communication
2.1.2. National cultural variables
2.1.3. Individual cultural variables
2.2.
Business communication and ethics
2.2.1. Influences on personal ethics
2.2.2. Communication and ethical issues
UNIT 3: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
3.1. Managing information within organization
3.1.1. History of technological developments
3.1.2. Challenges to the organization made by new technologies
3.1.3. E-mail & others technologies for communication
3.1.4. Defining e-mail
3.1.5. Using e-mail
3.1.6. Understanding how e-mail works
3.1.7. Understanding the internet
3.1.8. Establishing security
3.1.9. Voice mail
3.1.10. Groupware
3.1.11. CD_ROM database
3.1.12. Teleconferences
3.1.13. Faxes
3.2.
Managing information out sides the organization
UNIT 4: MESSAGE DESIGN
4.1. Process of preparing effective business messages
4.1.1. Five planning steps
4.1.2. Basic organizational plans
4.1.3. Beginning and ending
4.1.4. Composing the message
4.2. The appearance and design of business message
4.2.1. Business letters
4.2.2. Memorandums
4.2.3. Special timesaving message media
4.3. Good-news and neutral messages
4.3.1. Organizational plan
4.3.2. Favorable replies
4.3.3. Neutral messages
UNIT 5: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: MAJOR PLANS FOR
LETTERS AND MEMOS
5.1. Bad-news messages
5.1.1. The right attitude
5.1.2. Plans for bad-news messages
5.1.3. Negative replies to requests
5.1.4. Unfavorable unsolicited messages
5.2. Persuasive written messages
5.2.1. Organization of persuasive messages
5.2.2. Persuasive request
5.2.3. Persuasive sales letter
UNIT 6: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: REPORTS
6.1.
Short reports
6.1.1. Suggestion for short reports
6.1.2. Informational memorandum reports
6.1.3. Analytical memorandum reports
6.1.4. Letter reports
6.2.
6.3.
Long (formal) reports
6.2.1. Prefatory sections
6.2.2. Supplemental section
6.2.3. Presentation of the long reports
Proposals
6.3.1. Purpose of proposal
6.3.2. Kinds of proposals
6.3.3. Parts of proposals
6.3.4. Short proposals
6.3.5. Long formal proposals
6.3.6. Writing style and appearance
UNIT 7: STRATEGIES FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION
7.1.
Strategies for successful speaking and successful listening
7.1.1. Strategies for improving oral presentation
7.1.2. Strategies for reducing stage fright
7.1.3. Strategies for improving listing skills
7.2.
Strategies for successful informative and persuasive speaking
7.2.1. Purpose of informative and persuasive speaking
7.2.2. Kinds of informative and persuasive speaking
7.2.3. Audience analysis for informative and persuasive speaking
7.2.4. Organization for informative and persuasive speaking
7.2.5. Supports for informative and persuasive speaking
UNIT 8: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION AND GROUP MEETINGS
8.1.
Strategies for successful interpersonal communication
8.1.1. Dyadic communication
8.1.2. Interviewing
8.1.3. Telephoning
8.1.4. Dictating
8.2.
Strategies for successful business and group meeting
8.2.1. Background information
8.2.2. Purpose and kinds of meetings
8.2.3. Solving problems in meeting or groups
8.2.4. Leadership responsibilities in meeting
8.2.5. Participants responsibilities in meetings
8.3
How to take minutes of the meeting?
6
UNIT 9: THE JOB APPLICATION PROCESS
9.1.
The written job presentation
9.1.1. Self assessment
9.1.2. Market assessment
9.1.3. Resume (vita, qualification brief)
9.1.4. Cover letter to resume
9.2.
The job application process interviews and follow up
9.2.1. Successful presentation for the job interview
9.2.2. Successful fallow-up messages after the interview
9.2.3. Successful negotiating
Recommended Book:
Murphy A. H. Effective Business Communication
