10102114Business Communication
Course Information
Description
Develop, practice, and apply business and managerial communication skills. Class topics include active listening, concise communication, body language, social styles, managing difficult (“crucial”) conversations and conflict, working with diverse others, negotiation, networking, persuasion, video conferencing, document sharing and conducting coaching/performance evaluations.
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Experiential-Portfolio
Course Competencies
  1. Identify interpersonal conflict management strategies and apply techniques to effectively hold difficult conversations
    Assessment Strategies
    Discussion, quizzes, role-plays, written assessments, journaling
    Criteria
    discuss concepts and elements of handling crucial or critical conversations.
    identify barriers to effective communication.
    define and recognize crucial conversation vs a "normal" conversation.
    identify and practice the steps needed to prepare before having a "crucial" conversation.
    identify techniques for making an environment "safe" for effective conversations.
    master your "story" and listen carefully to other's "stories".
    master techniques to speak honestly without offending.
    turn important business conversations into action.

  2. Conduct a coaching/performance evaluations while applying concise speaking skills.
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assessment, live performance, peer evaluation
    Criteria
    explore public speaking tips including hooks and the 5-step strategy to improve your influence and persuasive speaking skills.
    describe the steps of a speech.
    write a 2-3 minute persuasive speech using 5-step strategy.
    demonstrate a persuasive speech.
    evaluate your peers' persuasive speeches.

  3. Demonstrate an understanding of self-awareness, and the ability to adapt to different social styles.
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, assignment, discussion, activities
    Criteria
    compare and contrast the four social styles.
    identify and assess your social style.
    discuss the concept of style adaptation and it's relationship to social styles.
    assess your style under stress and identify tools to "make conversation safe" for others.

  4. Apply concise business writing skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assignment, discussion, activity
    Criteria
    describe how concise and accurate writing contributes to business success.
    review the secrets to effective business writing.
    access. your understanding of 6 steps to effective business writing.
    demonstrate concise business writing skills by rewriting a business email using concise and effective business tactics.
    assess the dos and don'ts of writing effective emails.

  5. Conduct a coaching/performance evaluation while applying concise speaking skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assignment, discussion, role-playing
    Criteria
    discuss the concise speaking concept and framework, including techniques for providing feedback and questioning/responding.
    identify the differences between coaching and performance reviews.
    discuss the required elements of a performance evaluation and coaching feedback.
    write effective SMART goals for coaching session.
    write effective SMART goals for coaching session.
    identify differences between "I" and "me" message and apply "I" messages during a coaching feedback session.
    perform a coaching/feedback session for improved performance.

  6. Apply active and empathetic listening skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assessment, discussion, journaling
    Criteria
    discuss the active listening concept and framework.
    apply active listening concepts in actual conversations, including but not limited to, handling customer complaints, analyze the results, and identify key learnings.
    analyze your own listening skills and apply active listening concepts for improvement.
    identify the 4 steps to handling customer complaints.
    identify how to be a good listener.

  7. Apply nonverbal communication skills (body language) to improve business communications.
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assignment, discussion, activity,
    Criteria
    identify the types of gestures and nonverbal communications and explore how they communicate positively and negatively to others.
    analyze messages behind nonverbal communication.
    experience and interpret nonverbal communication in actual conversations (the other person as well as your own nonverbal behavior), analyze the results, and identify key learnings.
    evaluate how to use "mirroring" in business communication to build rapport.

  8. Demonstrate skills working with, respecting, and communicating with diverse others by assessing and confronting workplace harassment, biases, stereotypes, and prejudices.
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, written assignment, journaling, interactive activity
    Criteria
    define bias, stereotypes, prejudices and workplace harassment.
    identify and confront biases and stereotypes perpetuated by society and media.
    identify effective communication strategies with others of different demographics including race, age, and gender.
    compare and contract aggressive vs assertive messaging in the workplace, including workplace harassment.
    analyze your own personal stereotypes and biases.

  9. Apply business networking principles and video conferencing principles
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, discussion, journaling, interactive activities
    Criteria
    identify value of, and primary goals of business networking.
    identify differences between online and in-person networking.
    assess interpersonal skills required for effective business networking and videoconferencing.
    explore using Madison college platform "Handshake" for business outreach and job search.
    identify effective video conferencing techniques and etiquette.
    explore LinkedIn for business networking.

  10. Apply negotiation and conflict management principles
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, journaling, discussion, activity
    Criteria
    define conflict resolution and identify the path for resolution.
    explore why negotiation is important and types of negotiation strategies and techniques.
    apply listening, questioning and persuasion principles in a negotiation setting.
    apply conflict management techniques to monitor and manage reactions of both yourself and the other person during a difficult conversation.
    compare and contrast aggressive vs assertive messaging.
    analyze a BATNA case study.
    define and apply the BATNA concept during negotiations.