1

Dear CBC1501 Student

Thank you for submitting assignment 1. Please
refer to my comments inside.
Kind regards, Marissa Barnard

NAME & SURNAME : SAKHEPHI NDLOVU

MODULE CODE : CBC 1501

MODULE : COMM IN BUSINESS CONTEXT

SEMESTER :1

ASSIGNMENT :1

STUDENT NUMBER : 63172399

UNIQUE NUMBER : 768426

DUE DATE : 20 MARCH 2018

 2
HEADING

I, the undersigned, hereby declare that this is my own and personal work, except
where the work(s) or publications of others have been acknowledged by means
of reference techniques.
I have read and understood Tutorial Letter CMNALLE/301 regarding technical
and presentation requirements, referencing techniques and plagiarism.

Sakhephi Ndlovu
Student Number: 63172399
Date: 19 March 2018
Witness: Nobesuthu Mnkandla
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. ESSAY WRITING 2
3. BUSINESS LETTER 5
4. MEMORANDUM 6
5. CONCLUSION 7
6. SELF ASSESSMENT AND SELF REFLECTION 8
7. LIST OF SOURCES CONSULTED 9
INTRODUCTION

Communication in business context module sensitises students to the variables

influencing communication situations in the accounting environment and how to
respond appropriately. The following assignments seeks to instil knowledge, develop
communication and writing skills and abilities in a working environment. It consists of
three questions. The first question is an essay writing. One is required to plan and
write an argumentative essay, writing critically discussing the advantages and
disadvantages of working in teams in organisations. A balance of theory and
application within an organisation setup is required in critically explaining the topic.
The second question is about rewriting a business letter which was written in a poor
and informal language, and one is expected to write it in a formal and persuasive
style of writing. The last question requires writing of a memorandum where one
needs to motivate the staff to attend the Teambuilding exercise.

1
 3
INCORPORATING YOUR POINT OF VIEW
You may find it very difficult to know what is meant
by a `point of view'. As an undergraduate, you are
new to the discipline, and you probably don't know
QUESTION 1: ESSAY WRITING enough about the subject matter to have a point of
view about it.
Many organisations spend valuable resources developing
Generally andinmanaging
speaking, teamsassignment,
an undergraduate in
the workplace. The purpose of teams within having a `point of view'
an organisation is to means coming to as
bring together a particular
a
conclusion rather
whole unit and accomplish common goals. However, thannot
that has leaving
beenthe question
the case withup in the
air. The conclusion need not be original.
some organisations as team work has been In associated with low
Example 1 above, theproductivity. Lowstatement
part of the thesis
above that says:
productivity resulting from the type of groups that are formed, the type of leadership
In my essay, I plan to argue that
in those groups, the way group conflict resolution is handled and the way problems
are solved and poor decision making within those teams.
There are two types of groups that can be found in an organisation. There are formal
groups and informal groups. Formal groups are purposely designed to accomplish
an organisational objective or task. It is created via formal authority, whereas
informal groups emerge naturally, in response to common interests of organisational
members. They are neither formally formed nor controlled by the organisation. As
much as organisations may decide to form groups or informal groups emerging, they
have proven not to be effective. In formal groups, members sit back and relax and
allow other members to do all the work and yet still take credit of team’s
achievements. That demoralises the working spirit of other workers resulting in low
productivity in the long run. It generally takes longer to make a decision and more so,
in decision making, conflicts may arise between the leader and the members or more
even between members themselves because of difference in ideas. It can happen in
meetings or in committees like planning or finance committees. Informal groups are
primarily centred towards human elements and that can highly affect the smooth
floor of the business. Mostly their goals conflict with formal organisational goals.
However, if groups are well managed they can be of benefit to the organisation.
Informal groups make sure that basic principles of the organisation are not violated,
for example, where the manager promotes an unqualified person, informal groups
may use its influence in making sure that it does not happen. Formal groups can be
beneficial where they pool resources and information. They may also reach superior
decisions and solutions.
Leadership is known to be the most effective role in a team, since a leader is
expected to drive the team, display qualities of ability, sociability, motivation and
communication skills. However, such a leader is not found in teams in some
organisations. If a team has an authoritarian kinds of a leader, a leader who
assumes that an average member is basically lazy, prefers to avoid responsibility
and must be closely supervised. Such leadership can cause members to become
miserable with excessive scrutiny and too much heavy handedness will muffle all
input in the team. In overall, that may result in low productivity since members will sit
back and fold hands. Authoritarian leadership is mostly experienced in situations
where deadlines are tight, for example, news cycles or print media. Someone needs
to be strict so deadlines can be met. In teams there can either be an authoritarian
leader or democratic leader. Democratic leadership assumes that an average person
enjoys work and is motivated and will willingly assume responsibility. The team is
guided not directed. Such leadership can cause harm where the organisation is
deadline driven. 4
iN-TEXT SOURCE REFERENCING
IS COMPULSORY TO AVOID
2 PLAGIARISM
Teams experience conflicts and such destroy the organisation if not managed well.
In a situation whereby it’s a win-lose outcome, where one party’s ideas and
objectives are accepted while the other party’s ideas are rejected. If one party is
dissatisfied, there would not be smooth flow in the team. Employees become
unhappy and they may not perform to the expectation. A conflict may arise where
one employee does not do his work on time and other employees rely on that person
to perform their tasks. The leader expects work to be done. If employees’ issues are
not addressed properly by the leader, conflict arises. It can also be experienced in a
situation where by employees are not happy with the fact that they did not get bonus
at the end of the year. Conflicts within teams require a win-win outcome, where both
the leader and the members negotiate and reach a consensus. Both parties will be
satisfied by the outcome. In some cases the outcome of the conflict resolution can
be lose-lose, where both parties give up something for the sake of finalising the
matter. The conflict is temporarily suppressed and neither party is satisfied with the
outcome. That does not resolve the conflict as both parties care about finalising the
matter and do not consider how the resolution will affect the organisation. However,
conflicts have their own advantages if handled well. They can be constructive and
lead to new ideas and innovations that benefit the organisation. Conflict ca be
avoided by proactively dealing with minor conflict before it becomes major,
communication with employees and hear them out and allow employees to
participate in resolving it, openness where people can state their feelings openly,
some research to be done where reasons for problems are found before solutions
and lastly flexibility where members consider alternatives other than their own.
Organisations have groups that meet regularly to solve problems that arise. In those
groups, not all members are satisfied by the decisions that are made there. If proper
steps are not taken towards decision making, then that can affect the organisation in
one way or the other. When making a decision, a problem needs to be identified and
defined. Sometimes it can be mistaken to a symptom, for example, falling of sales in
a company may be due to the recession in the economy not inadequate efforts by
the sales team. Addressing such a problem wrongly can even worsen the situation, it
is therefore vital to identify the problem first. Analyse and research the problem.
Members need to understand what type of a problem is there and seek advice from
experienced people like specialists in the field or else search from the internet. Low
productivity could be because of lack of resources or shortage of staff. Research has
to be done liaising with the specialists in the field. Decide what the solution should
accomplish, in the case of low productivity the solution should accomplish increase
in production and supplying sufficient products to the market hence sales will also
increase. Solutions are evaluated, brainstorming takes course and the idea that
appears to solve the problem best and most practical is usually selected. The
solution is implemented and if it fails, a new solution has to be considered. Problem
solving is very challenging especially in circumstances where proper steps are not
followed and bad decisions are made and that can cost an organisation a fortune.
Teamwork has proven to be so problematic in organisations, hence affecting the
performance of the organisation as a whole. The types of groups formed in
organisations may not serve the purpose, the leadership in those groups may not be

3
the proper type of leaders that are expected to lead teams. They may not have
leadership qualities. Group conflicts may not well be resolved hence affecting the
functioning of the organisation. Lastly, problem solving and decision making not
done in a proper manner where proper steps are not followed to make rightful
decisions that benefit the company.

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 5
Mr Bobby Steenkamp
QUESTION 2: BUSINESS LETTER Sales Representative: Africa Earthworks
57 Aloe Cresent
Springfield Park
Durban
4001

7 March 2018

Mr Samuel Mabane
The Chief Executive Officer
Umhlanga Construction
Gateway Office Park
300 Lagoon Drive
Umhlanga
0031

Dear Mr S. Mabane

Africa Earthworks Offer for the best Earthworks and Construction Equipment

I am writing this letter informing you about the products and services that our
company offers. I believe you will be so much interested in doing business with us
because our line of production offers the best to construction companies. We offer
products like, safety gear for workers like helmets, safety shoes, gloves and
accessories. We also have heavy machinery and vehicles suitable for construction.
These are available for sale and for hire.

Our company has proven to be one of the best in offering quality products in the
market. We do business with companies that have big construction projects. We also
have a great deal of prices to offer and we also offer discounts to our valuable
customers. Should you consider our offer, you will not regret doing business with us.

We would like to invite you to visit our company and see products that we offer.
Looking forward to hear from you.

Be aware of grammar, spelling and

Yours Sincerely punctuation. Proof read your work
Mr. Bobby Steenkamp for grammatical and spelling errors
Sales Representative before submitting.
7 8
Closing and signature example: Business letter writing and content: Remain as
Yours sincerely, formal as possible in your writing) as you need
B Steenkamp to keep a formal tone in initiating a business
Bobby Steenkamp relationship with the targeted company.
Sales Representative: Africa
Earthworks 5
QUESTION 3: MEMORANDUM WRITING

South African Financial Services Corporation

MEMO

From: Financial Manager
To: Accounting Department
Date: 6 March 2018
9
FROM: The Financial Manager
TO: Accountants/Accounting Department
DATE: 20 March 2018
SUBJECT: Team Spirit Weekend
Programme

Team Building Exercise

We are pleased to announce to you our yearly event, the Team building exercise.
The event will take place on the weekend of 25-26 June 2018 at the Ikageng Lodge
in Vereeniging. The Lodge offers quite interesting activities like bungee jumping,
obstacle courses, team competitions.There shall also be a formal dinner on Saturday
evening. You will need to bring suitable clothes for all those activities and also
clothes for formal dinner.
This event will surely contribute positively torwards the morale and motivation of our
staff. As a staff member plan to attend this historic event which will not only give you
a chance to mix and mingle with colleagues but it will also reduce your stress levels
due to an exciting entertainment programme.
The management urges all employees to be part of this event as it helps the
organisation to be united, sociable and bring about a sense of belonging amongst
employees. This exercise will help equip the staff with skills and knowledge that is
needed to function well in the Accounting Department.

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CONCLUSION
The purpose of this assignment was served as the knowledge was acquired and the
skills in communication and writing were improved. The three questions were
answered as per the requirements. The first question which required an
argumentative essay pertaining to the advantages and disadvantages of working in
teams. In my essay I was against the idea of forming groups within the
organisations. Groups have proved to be inefficient and affect the smooth flow of the
running of the business. The leadership in those groups may not have the qualities
of a leader, the purpose of those groups may not be beneficial to the organisation
and failure to resolve conflicts in groups and improper decision making have affected
the running of the business in an organisation. In letter writing, I managed to write a
persuasive and motivational letter to convince Mr Mubane to consider doing
business with Africa Earthworks. Lastly, I managed to write a memorandum
persuading and motivating employees to attend the team building exercise.

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SELF ASSESSMENT AND SELF REFLECTION
1. I have learnt the format and steps of writing an essay, how to write a formal
letter, how to write a memorandum and its purpose to the organisation.
2. I have acquired communication, writing and leadership skills. How to lead
groups, how to communicate with your employees or group members and
how to address their issues.
3. The fact that win- win solution is the best solution in resolving conflicts
(compromising with the other party), has been an eye opener to me and I
would apply it in future and in a work environment.
4. To follow up the right procedures in solving problems so as to come up with
the right solution.
5. Specific outcome 4: Students can apply language properly in their
communication activities. Have learnt that communication is key in every
aspect of our lives both in working environment and in our life generally.
Proper channels of communication to be used and that noise is a barrier to
communication so never assume the receiver understood your message.

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LIST OF SOURCES CONSULTED
1. D du Plessis, F Dowling, S Steinberg 2009 Money Talks, Johannesburg,
Heinemann Publishers
2. https://www.management studyhq.com/types-of-groups.html
3. Unisa (University of South Africa)2018. Department of Communication
Science. Tutorial Letter101 for Communication in Business Contexts. Unisa
Press ,Pretoria
4. Unisa (University of South Africa)2018. Department of Communication
Science. Study Guide for Communication in Business Contexts. Unisa Press
Pretoria
5. myUnisa (03/03/2018)
10
The correct formatting and presentation of the list of
sources are as follows:
Du Plessis, D, Dowling, F & Steinberg, S. 2009. Money
talks: communication in business contexts.
Johannesburg: Heinemann.
University of South Africa. Department of
Communication Science. 2011. Communication in
business contexts: Only study guide for CBC1501.
Pretoria.

9
QUESTION 1 - ESSAY / 30 26

Criterion 1: Format and layout · /5 2

Brainstorming /2 0

Introduction - thesis statement /2 1,5

Conclusion - position and summary /1 0,5

Criterion 2: Content /20 19

Theory: Types of groups /4 4

Leadership /4 4

Conflict resolution /4 4

Problem Solving /4 4

Application /4 3

Criterion 3: Writing /5 5
3.1 Writing fluency and grammar
/3 3
3.2 Spelling and punctuation
/2 2
QUESTION 2 - BUSINESS LETTER / 25 21

Criterion 1: Format and layout · /8 7

A.1 UK block format used /1 1

A.2 Bobby’s address first /0.5 0,5

A.3 Bobby’s address copied correctly /0.5 0

A.4 Followed by correct addressee’s address /0.5 0,5

A.5 Date /0.5 0,5

A.6 Subject /1 1

B.1 Salutation /1 1

B.2 Complimentary close /1 1

B.3 Signature /1 1

B.4 Name /1 0,5

Criterion 2: Content /12 11

2.1 3 reasons (3 x 1) /3 3

3 x Motivations (3 x 2) /6 6

2.2 Concluding remarks /2 1

2.3 Formal tone /1 1

Criterion 3: Writing /5 3
3.1 Writing fluency and grammar
/3 2
3.2 Spelling and punctuation
/2 1
QUESTION 3 - MEMO / 30 27

Criterion 1: Format and layout · /5 5

1.1 Name of the company -“South African Financial Services Corporation” /0.5 0,5

1.2 The word "Memorandum" (or "memo") /0.5 0,5

1.3 From - “The Financial Manager” /1 1

1.4 To - “Accountants/Accounting Department /1 1

1.5 Date - (for example, 20 March 2018) /1 1

1.6 Subject - (for example, "Spirit Team Weekend Programme") /1 1

Criterion 2: Content /20 17

2.1 Purpose
• Explained what the team-building exercise entails /4 4

• explained clearly the purpose of the team-building exercise /4 4

2.1 Relevant information of the event

• important dates (that is, 25-26 June 2018) /1 0

• venue and location (that is, Ikageng Lodge in Vereeniging) /1 1

• types of clothing for the various occasions /1 1

• mention was made of the dinner event /1 1

2.3 Formal tone

Use of formal tone /2 2

2.4 Persuasion
• Students needed to provide three relevant motivational or persuasive sentences
(3x2) /6 4

Criterion 3: Writing /5 5
3.1 Writing fluency and grammar
/3 3
3.2 Spelling and punctuation
/2 2
Self-assessment and self-reflection questions /5 5

1 Knowledge /1 1

2 Skills, abilities and orientation (attitudes and values) /1 1

3 Practical strengths and applications /1 1

4 Shortcomings /1 1

5 Learning outcomes /1 1

Technical presentation /10 8,5

Declaration /2 1,5

Table of contents /2 2

Overall introduction /2 2

Overall conclusion /2 2

List of sources consulted /2 1

Q1 /30 26

Q2 /25 21

Q3 /30 27

Self assessment/reflection /5 5

Technical presentation /10 8,5

OVERALL TOTAL MARK / 100 87,5

 RESULTS
100 = 87.5

------------------------------

Total = 87.5 / 100 (88%)

 COMMENTS
1 Dear CBC1501 Student Thank you for submitting assignment 1. Please refer to my comments inside.
Kind regards, Marissa Barnard
2 HEADING
3 INCORPORATING YOUR POINT OF VIEW You may find it very difficult to know what is meant by a
`point of view'. As an undergraduate, you are new to the discipline, and you probably don't know
enough about the subject matter to have a point of view about it. Generally speaking, in an
undergraduate assignment, having a `point of view' means coming to a particular conclusion rather
than leaving the question up in the air. The conclusion need not be original. In Example 1 above, the
part of the thesis statement above that says: In my essay, I plan to argue that

4 iN-TEXT SOURCE REFERENCING IS COMPULSORY TO AVOID PLAGIARISM

5 Mr Bobby Steenkamp Sales Representative: Africa Earthworks
6 Be aware of grammar, spelling and punctuation. Proof read your work for grammatical and spelling
errors before submitting.
7 Closing and signature example: Yours sincerely, B Steenkamp Bobby Steenkamp Sales
Representative: Africa Earthworks
8 Business letter writing and content: Remain as formal as possible in your writing) as you need to keep
a formal tone in initiating a business relationship with the targeted company.
9 FROM: The Financial Manager TO: Accountants/Accounting Department DATE: 20 March 2018
SUBJECT: Team Spirit Weekend Programme
10 The correct formatting and presentation of the list of sources are as follows: Du Plessis, D, Dowling, F
& Steinberg, S. 2009. Money talks: communication in business contexts. Johannesburg: Heinemann.
University of South Africa. Department of Communication Science. 2011. Communication in business
contexts: Only study guide for CBC1501. Pretoria.