IIM Sambalpur

Course Outline

Business Communication -1

Faculty: Prof. Sriparna Basu

Course Description: The course is intended to give an enriched perspective to would be managers on how
communication can give vital expression to organizational needs, agendas, values, goals, authority and
relationships. It seeks to elicit an understanding among participants about the vast amount of information a
manager is responsible for, and the extent to which exchange of this information can influence thoughts,
behavior and attitudes in the internal as well as external organizational contexts. The sessions aim to provide
opportunities for participants to estimate as well as hone up their communication skills. The course
encourages participative learning, with most class time being spent on discussion, analysis and
communication exercises.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the course, the students should be able to

 Enhance oral communication skills
 Sharpen listening skills
 Design and deliver presentations with skill & confidence

Pedagogy: Lecture-discussions, case analyses, role plays, experiential exercises, and individual feedback
on presentations
Indicative Readings:
Text Book: Krizan, Merrier, Logan, & Williams. Business Communication. Cengage Learning (latest
edition).
Reference: Murphy, H.A., Hildebrandt, H.W., & Thomas, J.P. Effective Business Communication. Tata
McGraw Hill (latest edition).
Evaluation Component & Weightage:
Business Presentations: 15
Persuasive Speech: 10
Mid-term: 15
Group Discussion: 10
Class Participation: 10
End term: 40

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Session Plan:

Session No. Topic Readings/Cases

1 Introduction to Business Communication: Chapter 1
 Brief overview of fundamentals of business Case Situation
communication (GE Workout Strategy)
 Contemporary dimensions impacting business
communication
 Barriers to communication

2&3 Oral & Non-verbal Aspects of Communication Chapters 2, 14, & 15

 Significance of Effective Oral & Non-Verbal Discussion/Role Play
Communication
 Importance of Body-language
 Business Etiquette Cross-culturally

4 Active Listening Chapter 14

 Types, Principles, and Techniques Activity/Discussion
5 Reading & Analyzing a Case Case Analysis:
‘Odwalla Juice’
6 Challenges of Interpersonal Communication & Chapter 13
Teamwork HBR Case: ‘TerraCog
Global Positioning
Systems’
7 PPT Presentation Skills In-class Activity
 Presentation Types
 Designing and Developing Informative
Presentations
 Effective delivery of Presentations

8 Persuasive Communication ‘Harnessing the

 Use of Communication to Influence Attitudes, Science of Persuasion’
Beliefs & Behavior Article by Robert B.
 Delivering Persuasive Speeches Cialdini
9 Persuasive Communication Feedback
 Individual persuasive speech assignment

10, 11, 12, 13 Individual Business Presentations Video-recording of

student presentations
for individual feedback
14 Ethical & Legal Aspects of Communication Chapter 3
Case: ‘A Tangled Web’
15 Employment Communication: Group Discussions & Self-rating Sheet &
Interviews Discussion
 Effective Group Discussion Skills
 Effective Interview Skills
 GD & Interview Etiquettes
16, 17 & 18 Group Discussion Exercise Students participate in
GDs & receive

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 individual feedback for
improvement
19 & 20 Mock Interview Exercise Students participate in
mock interviews, and
receive comprehensive
feedback