2. understanding business communication English for Business

2.Understanding
Business
Communication

Effective communicator
They absorb and transmit information efficiently. BY:
 Know how to put together the words that will
convey their meaning
 Reinforce the words with gestures and actions.
(look you in the eye, listen to what you have to
say, think about your feelings and needs)
 Study your reactions, picking up nuances of your
response (by watching your face and body,
listening to your tone of voice, and evaluating
your words).

Forms of communication
Description Nonverbal
communication

Verbal

communication

Structure

less structured

structured

Intent and
spontaneity

unplanned,
unconscious

planned,
conscious

Nonverbal communication
-


The most basic and has more impact
Reliable and efficient

Types of Nonverbal
communication
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Facial expressions and eye behavior
Gestures and postures
Vocal characteristics
Personal appearance
Touching behavior
Use of time and space
Use and interpretation depend on the
contexts (situation and culture)


Verbal Communication
Why do we need language to communicate?

Business Time spend on
Communication Channels







Receiving
Listening
Reading
Sending
Speaking
Writing


45%
16%
30%
9%

Showing:
- People spend more time receiving than
transmitting information
- People prefer oral than written communication
channels

register the information

interpret and evaluate the information

respond to the information

file the information away

Process of Communication

The sender has an idea

The idea becomes a message

The message is transmitted

The receiver gets the message

The receiver reacts and sends feedback

Formulating a message




While formulating a message, barriers may
appear in the forms of:
Indecision about content
Lack of familiarity with the situation or the
receiver

Difficulty in expressing ideas

Overcoming communication
barriers
A. Between people
Factors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Differences in perception
Incorrect filtering
Language problems
Poor listening
Differing emotional states
Differing backgrounds


Solutions

B. Within organizations
Factors
Information overload
2. Message complexity
3. Message competition
4. Differing status
5. Lack of trust
6. Inadequate communication
structures
7. Incorrect choices of medium
8. Closed communication climate
9. Unethical communication
10. Inefficient communication
11. Physical distraction
1.

Solutions


Five traits of successful
communication
Perception
 Precision
 Credibility
 Control
 congeniality


How to improve
communication
Creating the messages carefully
 Minimizing noise in the transmission
process
 Facilitating feedback


For discussion (groups of 4-5
people)
1.

2.
3.

Solving a communication dilemma at Ben
& Jerry’s homemade
Questions for Discussion, no. 1 and 2
Document for analysis

Assignment (+ to replace 1st
week)
Read and summarize chapter 3 & 4. To be
submitted next week.
REMEMBER: not reading the chapters
carefully will be your loss.