Alice Nandawula Mugisha

amugisha@cis.mak.ac.ug
Aim and Objectives of the Course
Aim: To develop effective Business communication skills
that can be applied to interpersonal, organizational and
external contexts.
Objectives:
understanding the importance and the difference
types of Business Communication
To increase the
Listening
Speaking
Writing
effectiveness in business communication.
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Objectives of the Course cntd
Increase the knowledge and understanding of
- The process of effective communication
- The approaches to effective communication
- The relevance of the different communication
media to effective policy communication

Intellectual Skills
- Ability to conceptualize the processes of
effective communication
- Ability to discern the different environments
and appropriating the relevant media to use

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Objectives of the Course cntd
Practical Skills
- Ability to develop communication plans
that will meet the needs of a specific
department or organization
- Ability to review policy documents to
facilitate effective communication
Transferable Skills
- Effective writing skills
- Effective oral communication skills

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 Course Outline
 Overview of communications;
 Definitions
 Processes and types
 New technologies and communication
 Noise and barriers to effective communication
 Communication in Business
 Verbal Communication
 Business Correspondence
 Effective Presentations
 Conflict Resolution
 Communication Networks

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 Course Outline cont’d..
 Communication Systems
 Communication Planning
 Effective Business Writing
 Report Writing

Disclaimer: I reserve the right to modify any of the above

information as necessary throughout the semester! Other
topics may come in.

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 References
1. Bovee, CIL, Thill,J.V.S Schatzman. B.e (2003).
Business communication Today, seventh edition,
New Dehl; Pearson Education.
2. Murphy, H.A, Hilderbrandt. H.W; and Thomas.J.p
(1997). Effective business communication, Boston,
Ma/ McGraw-Hill.
3. Online materials

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This week ...
Overview of communications;
 definitions,
 processes; and types;
 new technologies and communication,
 barriers to effective communication

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 Definitions
What is Communication?
The word communicate comes from the Latin verb
“Communicare” that means;
o to impart
o to participate
o and to share

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Definitions:
What Is Communication?
No Transfer of Meaning—No Communication
Influence of Mental Maps—Yes, Communication

Communication is the process of sharing our ideas,

thoughts, and feelings with other people and having
those ideas, thoughts, and feelings understood by the
people we are talking with.
When we communicate we speak, listen, and observe

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What Is Communication?
Conscious and Intentional
Nonverbal
Verbal
Unconscious and Unintentional
Nonverbal
Verbal

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 Basic Communication Model
For communication to exit there must be at least four
elements.
1. A sender / encoder
2. A receiver / Decoder
3. Message
4. Channel/Medium

Speaker encoding message decoding listener

In successfull communication
sent =received
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 Communication Model

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 Basic Communication Model cont’d..
Encoder/ sender
 Encodes the message
 Chooses appropriate channel
 Solicits feedback
 Attempts to minimize the noise
Encoding: the process of transferring the information you want to
communicate into a form that can be sent and correctly decoded at the
other end
Decoder / receiver
 Decodes the message
 Practices active listening
 Provides feedback
Decoding: the process where the message is interpreted for its
content.

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 Communication Processes and Types

Types of
Communication

Verbal

Written

Non Verbal

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Communication Processes and Types
Verbal Communication
Spoken verbal communication, relies on both
words, visual aids and non-verbal elements to
support the conveyance of the meaning. Includes
discussion, speeches, presentations, interpersonal
communication and many other varieties.

Non Verbal Communication (Body language)

Facial expressions, gestures, paralanguage, body
language, distance, eye contact, touch, and
appearance

Written Communication
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Communication Processes.
In case of Verbal type of Communication, look
out for the following:
Verbal: What you say i.e. the message
Vocal: How you say i.e. Music or your voice
Visual: How you seem and who you are

Most powerful element of communication is:

Visual
! Give importance to visual self, as much as the
knowledge and experience.

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 The Communication Process

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 New technologies and communication
Changes in web-based technology have made it far
easier for individuals to publish, access and share
information globally.
Web-based tools that have proven effective on the
internet are now making their way into organizations
enabled by intranets.
The rise of more accessible and easy-to-use
technologies are allowing employees to voice their
opinions and become more involved in communication
and decision making.
Business leaders will need to understand the merits of
new social software and how it can benefit them and
their organizations
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New technologies and communication
Evolution of Communication

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Barriers to effective communication
Sending:
Lack of gestures, tone of voice, ambigious words
!: Convey the importance of the message.
Environment:
Noise.Physical obstacles, inadequency of the channels,
Receiving:
Misinterpretion of any word or behaviour, perceptual
filter which reflect all our past experinces and learning

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Problems in Sending
using technical words for communication to
nontechnical people
forgetting that the visual and vocal elements are the
most important, words less.
Ignoring the situation, expectencies and interests of
the listener according to their expertise.

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Noise in the environment
Noise creates distortions of the message and prevents
it from being understoood the way was intended
Noises may be ringing telephones, honking horns,
messy, chaotic surroundings etc.
Time, inapropriate time may be an obstacle to give
message clearly.Friday afternoon is not proper for a
heavy meeting.

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Perception Problems
Listeners ability to understand.
Lack of attention, inattentive or bored listeners
Emotional state, stress, fear, anxiety, anger,
Financial pressures
Prejudgements
Be sure that the receiver is “on”

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The importance of business
communication
Time is money&time has a cost
Time is limited with project deadlines,workhours
Businesspeople are not our family or friends
Business is not a game or joke but serious
It is a half-diplomatic environment
We may need any person in our career path with the
nice memories about us.

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Summary
We have Covered;
 Definitions,
 Communication processes; and types;
 New technologies and communication,
 Problems affecting effective communication

Next week Communication in business

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