IBS Hyderabad

MBA 2022 - 2024

Course Handout

Course Title : Business Communication Semester :I

Course code : SLGM501 Credits : 3 (33 sessions)
Faculty Name : Room No :
Mobile No : Email :
Consultation Hours :

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to provide students to learn and practice business writing skills and enable them to
make effective presentations and prepare business documents like reports, letters, proposals and minutes of
meeting. This course also provides insight on employment communication like cover letter and résumé.
The module is experience-driven and covers the following topics

• Business writing skills – Principles of business writing, memos, letters, minutes, reports,
proposals and crisis communication
• Effective presentation skills – Spoken communication and preparation of slides
• Employment Communication – Cover letter, Résumé
• Technology in Communication – Blogs, Vlogs, Facebook, Twitter, Podcast, YouTube, LinkedIn

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:
1. Understand the channels of communication
2. Learn the principles of business writing
3. Write and present effective business documents by using the right format and coherent style
4. Conduct and participate in meetings and record minutes systematically
5. Prepare audience-centric presentations using audio/ visual aids
6. Identify how technology plays an important role in business communication
7. Communicate effectively during crisis

Recommended Text Book:

Business Communication- Connecting at Work- Hory Shankar Mukerjee - Oxford University Press-2016

Suggested Reference Books:

1. BCOM: Lehman, Dufrene, Sinha - Cengage Learning
2. Business Communication-Meenakshi Raman & Prakash Singh-Oxford University Press
3. Effective Business Communication - Krizan, Merrier, Logan & Williams-Cengage Learning
4. Business Communication Today-Courtland L.Bovee, John V.Thill and Roshan Lal Raina -Pearson
Education Asia
5. Effective Business Communication-Herta A Murphy, Herbewrt W Hildebrandt & Jane P Thomas
 Course Outline
Session Case /Reading article/
Topic Learning Outcomes Chapters
No. Lecture / Activity
To use audio visual aids to
Effective prepare slides, to learn to prepare
1-2 Inputs, Discussion 12, 13
Presentation Skills a good speech using paralanguage
components
To understand the concept of
Kinesics and its components and
3 Body language how they aid in effective spoken Inputs, Videos, Discussion 5
communication and acceptable
body language while presenting
To understand and apply the 7 C’s
of communication, positive Inputs, Practice sentences and
Principles of
4–7 emphasis, FLAT and HABITS paragraphs, Case -That’s the 2, 6
Business Writing
approach, You attitude, writing way, Discussion
effective messages
Note making &Mind Mapping
To prepare cover letter and
Discussion through sample
Cover Letter and résumé and understand the
8–9 cover letters and résumés - Test 16
Résumé difference between CV and
1 (10 marks)
résumé
Book and Movie Review
Effective Output sessions – Test 2 (10
10 – 12 12, 13
Presentation Skills marks)

Practice exercises and

13 Memos To write an effective memo 7, 8
discussion
Business letters – To write letters with both positive
Inputs, Practice letters, Case –
Claims and and negative messages – placing
14 – 17 Write Right, Discussion, Test 3 7, 8
responses, Positive an order, enquiry, claims, request,
(10 marks)
emphasis credit, rejection
Notice, Agenda To prepare notice, agenda and Inputs, Role plays, Case – The
18 – 20 and Minutes of minutes of meeting, usage of past Apple way of conducting 10
meeting tense in minutes meetings, Discussion
To understand how to write
business proposals, Solicited
Business Inputs, Practice with sample
21 – 22 Proposals like Tender 9
Proposals proposals
notification, RFP, RFQ, IFB and
Unsolicited Proposals
To understand the different types,
Business Report Inputs, Practice through sample
23 – 25 parts of a report, how to write SIP 9
Writing reports - Test 4 (10 marks)
report
To analyze companies of different
Effective Output sessions - Test 5 (10
26 – 30 sectors –Current Corporate 12, 13
presentation skills marks)
Analysis and present using a PPT
 To understand, how technology
Technology in
is used in business
Business
31-32 communication in blogs, vlogs, Discussion 7, 8, 18
Communication
YouTube,
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Crisis To understand how to Inputs, Case – Crisis all the
33 7, 8
Communication communicate during crisis way
Electronic and Web resources: Swayam Videos, Other learning resources

Expectations from Students:

a. Students must report to the respective sessions well before the announced time. Late-comers will
not be permitted to join the class after the scheduled time. If late, the attendance for that session
will be marked as absent.
b. Read the Case Study / material well prior to the class discussion. He/she is also expected to read
the chapter indicated in the course plan as the faculty directs.
c. In the class discussion student is expected to participate actively and contribute to individual and
group learning. Evaluation is based on active participation.
d. Evaluation is a continuous process at IBS. Every student needs to be aware of the timelines given
in the section below. Absence from these evaluations will mean non awarding of marks in that
particular component
e. Wherever applicable, group assignments require each student to contribute to the group effort. This
enhances group effectiveness and leads to greater appreciation of working in groups.
f. Formal dressing is suggested for all students. Do not roam in the academic area/ attend classes in
chappals / shorts / informal t shirts
g. Students are expected to show high regard and appreciation for in class discipline and desist from
using mobile phones. This disturbs the class ambience and unnecessarily diverts attention of other
students as well as the faculty member.
h. Each faculty has been given a scheduled consultation hour. Utilize this time to meet the faculty and
clarify doubts if any, seek explanations and get mentored if needed.
i. Attendance is compulsory in all sessions. However, refer to guidelines in your academic handbook
for exceptions.

Evaluation Timelines:
Keeping in line with continuous evaluation at IBS the following schedules have been drawn. Students are
expected to go through the dates / sessions mentioned and prepare accordingly.

Component Component Name Weight age

Class Participation Class Participation 10

Test 1 Resume & Cover Letter 10

Effective Presentation Skills –

Test 2 10
1 - Current Corporate Analysis
 Test 3 Business Letters 10

Test 4 Report Writing 10

Effective Presentation Skills –

Test 5 10
2 – CCA

End Term Exam 40

Total 100

Performance till Midterm will be announced by end of session No. 16 in each course which means each
student will know his / her performance in one Class Participation and two tests. The final result will be
declared according to the timelines mentioned above and students will not be given another opportunity
except in rare circumstances of extreme illness or hospitalization.

Brief profile of the Faculty Member: