INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES

AND ADMINISTRATORS IN ZIMBABWE

EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER

SUBJECT: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AND ETHICS

PART: A
DATE: JUNE 2020 TIME: 13:15 to 16:30 HOURS
DURATION: 3 hours and 15 minutes reading time

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. Answer question ONE (1) in Section A and ANY OTHER THREE (3) questions in
Section B.
2. Question One (1) is COMPULSORY and carries 40 marks. Questions in Section B carry
20 marks each.

Total: 100 marks

The examination script is the property of ICSAZ and is not to be removed from the examination
venue.
 SECTION A
(This Section is Compulsory)

QUESTION 1

Read the following outline and answer the question which follows.

Risk management, especially where external funders and partners are involved,
remains a lofty and arduous order in many organisations. Your company that is
involved in transport and logistics offers equal opportunities to all prospective
employees and interested parties. You advertise posts for four regional drivers in
a local daily newspaper to commence services in seven days from the day of
advertising. The organisation receives an avalanche of applications from across
the racial, class, gender, political, social, religious, ethnic, as well as physical
fitness divides.

REQUIRED:
In the form of a REPORT, advise management on the best selection and
recruitment criteria as well as rationality for the same. Your answer must show
responsiveness to the ongoing transition in the broader Zimbabwean society in
the new dispensation. Credit will be given to well thought-out and coherent
responses that are alive to the need to balance competing policy factors. Further
credit will also be given for good writing skills, good grammar, varied sentence
construction and ability to structure a persuasive and coherent essay. Best
responses should also be alive to policy issues such as equality, diversity and
inclusivity. Your sensitivity to risk factors as well as attendant solutions to
envisioned problems during the recruitment process must also be evident in your
advice document. You may use some or all of the above points and add some
that you deem relevant for a fair and transparent recruitment exercise. (40 marks)

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 SECTION B
(Answer any THREE (3) questions from this section)

QUESTION 2

Write an application letter for the position of accountant in Ernest and Young’s
Bulawayo Branch. Use the full block method. (20 marks)

QUESTION 3

“Communication is more than what is said verbally.” Discuss this statement using
examples from a typical workplace environment. (20 marks)

QUESTION 4

Giving examples, discuss the internal as well as external factors which affect the
communication practices of a typical business environment. (20 marks)

QUESTION 5

“Listening is a process rather an event.” Discuss this statement paying particular

attention to aspects that enhance good listening skills and those that negatively
impact thereof. (20 marks)

“End of Examination Question Paper”

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