The content, assignments, and assessments for Business Communication Skills for Managers are aligned to the following learning outcomes. A full list of course learning outcomes can be viewed here: Business Communication Skills for Managers Learning Outcomes.
Module 1: Communicating in Business
Identify key principles in business communication
- Discuss the importance of effective communication in business Effective Communication in Business
- Differentiate between different methods of communication Methods of Communication
- Discuss the importance of ethical communication Ethics in Business Communication
- Discuss the importance of staying connected with colleagues, other professionals, and customers in the digital age
Module 2: Writing in Business
Discuss different processes and considerations involved in writing in business
- Write a business communication given a specific audience and purpose
- Discuss the impact that word choice and tone can have on a business message
- Identify the three parts of the writing process
- Use common word processing software to write business messages
Module 3: Written Communication
Identify the appropriate use of different channels of written communication in business
- Discuss the shift from paper to digital communication
- Compose emails and memos intended for an audience within the same company or team as the writer
- Identify other common methods of professional communication
- Discuss appropriate ways to communicate to an audience outside of the company
- Determine the appropriate communication channel for a specific type of message
Module 4: Research
Use traditional and online tools and methods to find, evaluate, and process information
- Discuss the importance of data and identify its role in business
- Process information from internal sources
- Evaluate and practice preliminary, intermediate, and advanced search techniques
- Evaluate and practice methods of analysis to assess the quality and reliability of a source
- Discuss issues of plagiarism, copyright and fair use
Module 5: Visual Media
Create meaningful visual media
- Find the best media to present your message
- Discuss how to most effectively use images in business messages and identify potential sources for these images
- Discuss how to most effectively use charts, diagrams, and other graphics in business messages and identify potential sources for these visual aids
- Discuss the use of video in business messages
- Identify ways to make information more accessible to your audience
- Incorporating meaningful visual media in business messages
Module 6: Reports
Create various types of business reports
- Discuss the different types of reports and their purposes
- Create an informal report
- Create formal reports and proposals
Module 7: Public Speaking
Identify key principles in public speaking for business
- Identify key principles of effective public speaking
- Describe delivery techniques for use during a public speech
- Identify the role and importance of your audience
- Discuss tips and tricks to giving an effective speech
Module 8: Developing and Delivering Business Presentations
Create a presentation using slides and other visual aids
- Discuss the usefulness of visual aids and identify common presentation tools
- Create a presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint
- Create a presentation using Google Slides
- Create a presentation intended for a business meeting
Module 9: Communicating through Technology
Organize and participate in meetings using phone and video conferencing tools
- Recognize common types of tools for audio, video, and web sharing tools
- Use common planning tools to schedule business meetings
- Schedule meetings with audio, video, and web sharing components
- Use audio conferencing tools effectively in a business context
- Use video conferencing tools effectively in a business context
- Use web sharing tools effectively in a business context
Module 10: Social Media
Use social media to present a business message
- Identify common social media platforms used by businesses
- Identify social media platforms that are typically less frequently used by businesses
- Use various types of social media to increase your sales
- Use various types of social media to build affinity with your customers and make your brand stand out
Module 11: Communicating Different Messages
Write various types of business messages, including informative messages, team-focused messages, criticism, and response messages
- Identify the appropriate usage of informative business messages and write an informative business message
- Discuss the importance of team-focused communication in business
- Write a business message criticizing internal or external business situations
- Write a response to criticism
Module 12: Collaboration in and across Teams
Identify ways to collaborate in business within a team and across multiple teams
- Discuss the role and types of teams in workplace communication
- Discuss strategies for working in collaborative projects
- Discuss best practices in workplace etiquette
Module 13: Social Diversity in the Workplace
Propose solutions to challenges that may occur in communication, especially across cultures in a global marketplace
- Define diversity and discuss its influence on the workplace
- Discuss how different cultures impact the workplace
- Discuss the how gender impacts communication in the workplace
- Discuss the impact of disabilities in the workplace
- Discuss different strategies for talking to individuals from a different generation
- Discuss strategies for creating a functional workplace by combating biases
Module 14: Finding a Job
Create a resume, a cover letter, and a profile on professional social media sites
- Discuss how to gain skills necessary for professional life
- Discuss the importance of networking, and identify strategies to increase your professional network
- Produce a résumé and a cover letter
- Discuss effective interview strategies and prepare for common interview questions
Module 15: Recruiting and Selecting New Employees
Describe effective strategies for recruiting and selecting qualified job applicants
- Describe effective strategies for recruiting qualified job applicants
- Discuss the key elements of a successful interview
- Identify the key steps in selecting a new employee