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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI

BS-BANKING & FINANCE

Course Title : Business Communication for Financial Services

Course Number :

Credit : 03

OBJECTIVE:
This course is designed to provide participants with a fair command of business English and equip them
with the practical communication skills which are necessary to achieve productive working relationships.
Students will gain valuable knowledge and practice that will help them in improving listening, writing,
reading, speaking and non-verbal communication skills.

COURSE CONTENT:
1. Overview of communication in business

a) Define communication

b) Importance of communication

c) Communication process

d) Types of communication

e) Communication barriers

f) Channels of communication

g) Communication with specific business audiences

i) Determining target audience

ii) Benefits of using audience strategy

iii) Impact of language

iv) Distinguish between primary and secondary audience

v) Demographics/cultures

vi) Self appearance

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vii) Knowledge of topic

viii) Dissemination of information

2. Modes of communication
a) Writing
i) Effective writing
 Importance and need
 Grammatically correct English in responding to written communication
 Words-usage, phrases and idioms
 Business vocabulary/sentence structure
 Punctuation
 Revising and proofreading/editing
 Structuring documents
 Language in business communication
 Formality in business communication
 Clarity in business communication

ii) Types of Written Communication

 Proposals and reports

i. Primary and secondary research
 Business letters/messages
1) Routine letters
2) Goodwill messages
3) Fax messages
4) Memorandums
 Presentations
1) Organization of presentation
2) Use of visual aids
 E-Mail
1) Use of correct tone
2) Avoiding verbose language
3) Writing for maximum effect - using language checkers
 Other types of written communication
1) Bulletins
2) Job descriptions
3) Employee manuals
4) Circulars
iii) Factors to consider in written communication
1) Persuasive messages
2) Negative messages
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3) Use of an active voice and avoiding passiveness in tone

iv) Advantages of written communication

b) Reading

i) Understanding how to read business documents

ii) Improving reading skills
iii) Comprehension skills
c) Speaking
i) Effective oral communication
o Interpersonal communication
o Tone
o Language
o Choice of words
o Participating in a business meeting
o Essentials of negotiating skill
o Voice control and pronunciation of words
o Clarity and precision
o Correct style and vocabulary to suit business situation
ii) Advantages/limitations of oral communication
d) Listening
i) How to be a good listener
ii) Concentration and application in listening
e) Non-verbal communication
i) Body language
ii) Physical touch
iii) Posture
iv) Facial Expressions
v) Gestures-5 components
 Gestures for presentation and meetings
 Understanding different gestures in different contexts and cultures
3. Communication Challenges

a) Typical challenges in businesses communication

i) Undeveloped communication skills

ii) Lack of understanding of interpersonal styles
iii) Lack of leadership
iv) Lack of appreciation of differences
v) Lack of teamwork
vi) Cultural differences
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b) Written challenges

i) Understanding business language

c) Verbal challenges

i) Using the correct tone and syntax

ii) Retention of information
d) Comprehension challenges
i) Introduction to banking and business jargon
ii) Misinterpretation
e) Listening challenges
i) Understanding native and non-native English speakers
ii) Difference between
listening and hearing
iii) Effective listening, avoiding miscommunication
4. Legal and ethical considerations
a) Defamation
b) Invasion of privacy
c) Misrepresentation and fraud
d) Ethical perspectives and their implications for responsible communication
e) Use of acceptable/politically correct language

Recommended Books
I. Pakistan, Institute of Bankers,Business Communication for Financial Services 2011
II. Pakistan, Institute of Bankers, Business Communication for Financial Services
III. Effective Business communication by Herta A Murphy, Herbert W. Hilderbrandt and
Jane P Thomas
IV. Business Communication Today by Thill & Bovee