6
|
Summarising Business Documents
|
113
|
|
Purpose of Summarising
|
114
|
|
Selecting Relevant Information / Rejecting Irrelevant Information
|
114
|
|
Presenting Information Fit for Purpose
|
115
|
|
The Word Limit
|
116
|
|
Worked Example
|
116
|
|
Passages for Practice
|
126
|
|
Model Answers
|
131
|
7
|
Electronic Communication
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133
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|
Introduction
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134
|
|
Computers
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134
|
|
The Internet
|
140
|
|
Telephones
|
144
|
|
Facsimile Machines
|
146
|
iii
Introduction to the Study Manual
Welcome to this study manual for Introduction to Business Communication.
The manual has been specially written to assist you in your studies for this QCF Level 4 Unit and is designed to meet the learning outcomes listed in the unit specification. As such, it provides thorough coverage of each subject area and guides you through the various topics which you will need to understand. However, it is not intended to "stand alone" as the only source of information in studying the unit, and we set out below some guidance on additional resources which you should use to help in preparing for the examination.
The syllabus from the unit specification is set out on the following pages. This has been approved at level 4 within the UK's Qualifications and Credit Framework. You should read this syllabus carefully so that you are aware of the key elements of the unit –the learning outcomes and the assessment criteria. The indicative content provides more detail to define the scope of the unit.
Following the unit specification is a breakdown of how the manual covers each of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
The main study material then follows in the form of a number of chapters as shown in the contents. Each of these chapters is concerned with one topic area and takes you through all the key elements of that area, step by step. You should work carefully through each chapter in turn, tackling any questions or activities as they occur, and ensuring that you fully understand everything that has been covered before moving on to the next chapter. You will also find it very helpful to use the additional resources (see below) to develop your understanding of each topic area when you have completed the chapter.
Additional resources
0 ABE website –www.abeuk.com. You should ensure that you refer to the Members Area of the website from time to time for advice and guidance on studying and on preparing for the examination. We shall be publishing articles which provide general guidance to all students and, where appropriate, also give specific information about particular units, including recommended reading and updates to the chapters themselves.
0 Additional reading –It is important you do not rely solely on this manual to gain the information needed for the examination in this unit. You should, therefore, study some other books to help develop your understanding of the topics under consideration. The main books recommended to support this manual are listed on the ABE website and details of other additional reading may also be published there from time to time.
0 Newspapers –You should get into the habit of reading the business section of a good quality newspaper on a regular basis to ensure that you keep up to date with any developments which may be relevant to the subjects in this unit.
0 Your college tutor –If you are studying through a college, you should use your tutors to help with any areas of the syllabus with which you are having difficulty. That is what they are there for! Do not be afraid to approach your tutor for this unit to seek clarification on any issue as they will want you to succeed!
0 Your own personal experience –The ABE examinations are not just about learning lots of facts, concepts and ideas from the study manual and other books. They are also about how these are applied in the real world and you should always think how the topics under consideration relate to your own work and to the situation at your own workplace and others with which you are familiar. Using your own experience in this way should help to develop your understanding by appreciating the practical application and significance of what you read, and make your studies relevant to your
personal development at work. It should also provide you with examples which can be used in your examination answers.
And finally …
We hope you enjoy your studies and find them useful not just for preparing for the examination, but also in understanding the modern world of business and in developing in your own job. We wish you every success in your studies and in the examination for this unit.
Published by:
The Association of Business Executives
5th Floor, CI Tower
St Georges Square
New Malden
Surrey KT3 4TE
United Kingdom
All our rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the Association of Business Executives (ABE).
© The Association of Business Executives (ABE) 2011
v
Unit Specification (Syllabus)
The following syllabus –learning objectives, assessment criteria and indicative content –for this Level 4 unit has been approved by the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
Unit Title: Introduction to Business Communication
Guided Learning Hours: 100
Level: Level 4
Number of Credits: 12
Learning Outcome 1
The learner will: Understand and know how to apply the principles which govern the transmission of information in business situations.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
1.1 Apply knowledge of the purposes of communication.
1.1.1 Apply knowledge of the purposes of communication in order to inform, instruct, persuade, request, clarify, co-operate, buy and sell, advertise, etc.
1.2 Explain why a particular medium is appropriate or inappropriate in a given situation.
1.3 Explain how relationships between people affect communication.
1.4 Describe simple communications structures
1.2.1 Understand the advantages and disadvantages of telephone, fax, email, face-to-face communication, memorandum, and notice in a given scenario.
1.3.1 Manager/subordinate (including autocratic and democratic management).
1.3.2 Familiarity/unfamiliarity.
1.3.3 Making a good first impression.
1.3.4 The office environment and layout.
1.4.1 The communication cycle, including positive and negative feedback.
1.4.2 Horizontal, vertical and diagonal communication.
1.4.3 Chain, Circle, Star, Wheel structures.
1.4.4 Grapevine.
Learning Outcome 2
The learner will: Be able to compose all common types of written communication in a clear, complete and correct way.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
2.1 Write effectively all common types of formal business documents.
2.2 Write effectively all types of informal business documents.
2.1.1 Letters, correctly laid out.
2.1.2 Reports, correctly laid out.
2.1.3 Curriculum vitae, its content and structure.
2.2.1 Memos to individuals.
2.2.2 Notices to groups.
2.2.3 E-mails to individuals and groups
2.3 Use language that is appropriate to the purpose of any given document.
2.3.1 Understand the differences between formal and informal language.
2.3.2 Understand how to persuade a reader (e.g. in an advertisement).
2.3.3 Apply that knowledge appropriately.
Learning Outcome 3
The learner will: Understand the principles of communicating orally in an effective way.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
3.1 Explain how to communicate effectively on the telephone.
3.2 Explain how to communicate effectively face to face in both formal and informal situations.
3.3 Show knowledge of listening skills.
3.1.1 Good practice when making a call.
3.1.2 Good practice when receiving a call.
3.1.3 Leaving a message on a voicemail.
3.2.1 Formal meetings (organisation and structure, including agendas, venue, minutes, role of chair and secretary).
3.2.2 Briefings.
3.2.3 Speeches and presentations (preparation and delivery).
3.2.4 Interviews (preparation and conduct).
3.2.5 Business conversations.
3.2.6 The role of the receptionist.
3.3.1 Active and passive listening.
Learning Outcome 4
The learner will: Understand the importance of non-verbal signals in communication.
Assessment Criteria
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Indicative Content
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|
The learner can:
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4.1 Explain how body language
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4.1.1 Gestures and facial expressions.
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can help or hinder communication.
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4.1.2 Posture.
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4.1.3 Eye contact.
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4.1.4 Personal space.
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4.2 Describe how physical
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4.2.1 Dress and grooming.
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|
appearance can affect
|
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communication.
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|
4.3 Demonstrate awareness of other common non-linguistic methods of communication.
4.3.1 Logos, signs and symbols.
4.3.2 Use of physical objects, e.g. buildings, furniture,
car.
vii
Learning Outcome 5
The learner will: Understand how common barriers to successful communication arise, and how they can be overcome.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
5.1 Describe communication barriers caused by the sender of a message in oral, written or non-verbal form and how they can be overcome.
5.2 Describe communication barriers caused by the receiver of a message and how they can be overcome.
5.1.1 Lack of clarity.
5.1.2 Incomplete information.
5.1.3 Incorrect information.
5.1.4 Faulty equipment.
5.1.5 Inappropriate medium/channel.
5.1.6 inappropriate language
5.1.7 Wrong time and/or place.
5.1.8 Insufficient Adjustment Period
5.2.1 Poor listening skills.
5.2.2 Poor reading skills.
5.3 Describe communication barriers that can be caused by either the sender or the receiver of a message and how they can be overcome.
5.3.1 Physical noise.
5.3.2 „Psychological noise‟.
5.3.3 Physical barriers.
Learning Outcome 6
The learner will: Understand the content of a passage of simple business information and know how to summarise it effectively.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
6.1 Select relevant information and keep within the word limit.
6.2 Use original vocabulary to show understanding.
6.3 Produce a summary that is fit for purpose.
6.1.1 Choosing what is important and rejecting what is unimportant.
6.2.1 Adapting the language of the original where necessary for clarity or meaning.
6.3.1 Adherence to the word limit.
6.3.2 Awareness of audience.
Learning Outcome 7
The learner will: Understand the role of computers and other modern communication technologies in business communication.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
7.1 Demonstrate knowledge of computers and their components and describe how to use them.
7.1.1 Types of computer.
7.1.2 Common hardware and software.
7.1.3 Common computer peripherals.
7.2 Describe the ways in which computers and other modern communication technologies help communication within companies and throughout the modern business world.
7.3 Demonstrate knowledge of common threats to the security of data held on computer, and how to protect that data against such threats.
7.1.4 Creating a document or spreadsheet.
7.1.5 Saving and retrieving data.
7.2.1 Features of desk telephones and mobile telephones.
7.2.2 Pagers.
7.2.3 Facsimile machines.
7.2.4 Teleconferencing, videoconferencing.
7.2.5 Telecommuting.
7.2.6 LANs and WANs.
7.2.7 The internet and e-mails.
7.2.8 E-commerce.
7.3.1 Viruses, worms, bugs.
7.3.2 “Phishing” and. identit
7.3.3 Hackers.
7.3.4 “Spam”.
7.3.5 Password protection.
7.3.6 Anti-virus software.
7.3.7 Firewalls.
Learning Outcome 8
The learner will: Understand common business and communications terms.
Assessment Criteria Indicative Content
The learner can:
8.1 Explain common technical words, phrases and abbreviations related to business, to communication, and to communication technology.
8.1.1 Abbreviations in common use.
8.1.2 Words in common use.
8.1.3 Phrases in common use.
ix
Coverage of the Syllabus by the Manual
Learning Outcomes
|
Assessment Criteria
|
Manual
|
|
The learner will:
|
The learner can:
|
Chapter
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Understand and know how to
|
1.1 Apply knowledge of the purposes of
|
Chap 1
|
|
apply the principles which
|
|
communication.
|
|
|
|
|
govern the transmission of
|
1.2
|
Explain why a particular medium is
|
Chap 1
|
|
information in business
|
|
|
appropriate or inappropriate in a given
|
|
|
situations.
|
|
|
|
|
situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
Explain how relationships between
|
Chap 1
|
|
|
|
people affect communication
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
Describe simple communications
|
Chap 1
|
|
|
|
structures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Be able to compose all
|
2.1
|
Write effectively all common types of
|
Chap 2
|
|
common types of written
|
|
formal business documents.
|
|
|
communication in a clear,
|
2.2
|
Write effectively all types of informal
|
Chap 2
|
|
complete and correct way.
|
|
|
business documents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
Use language that is appropriate to the
|
Chap 2
|
|
|
|
purpose of any given document.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. Understand the principles of
|
3.1
|
Explain how to communicate effectively
|
Chap 3
|
|
communicating orally in an
|
|
on the telephone.
|
|
|
effective way.
|
3.2
|
Explain how to communicate effectively
|
Chap 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
face to face in both formal and informal
|
|
|
|
|
situations.
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
Show knowledge of listening skills.
|
Chap 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. Understand the importance of
|
4.1 Explain how body language can help or
|
Chap 4
|
|
non-verbal signals in
|
|
hinder communication.
|
|
|
communication.
|
4.2
|
Describe how physical appearance can
|
Chap 4
|
|
|
|
|
|
affect communication.
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
Demonstrate awareness of other
|
Chap 4
|
|
|
|
common non-linguistic methods of
|
|
|
|
|
communication.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. Understand how common
|
5.1 Describe communication barriers
|
Chap 5
|
|
barriers to successful
|
|
caused by the sender of a message in
|
|
|
communication arise, and
|
|
oral, written or non-verbal form and
|
|
|
how they can be overcome.
|
|
how they can be overcome.
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
Describe communication barriers
|
Chap 5
|
|
|
|
caused by the receiver of a message
|
|
|
|
|
and how they can be overcome.
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
Describe communication barriers that
|
Chap 5
|
|
|
|
can be caused by either the sender or
|
|
|
|
|
the receiver of a message and how they
|
|
|
|
|
can be overcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|