This tutorial aims to describe effective business communication in a number of situations: online and offline, written and spoken, etc. The student will encounter specific examples of what to do and what not to do, and emerge with a broad understanding of common pitfalls and best practices.
This tutorial consists of narrated slide presentation lectures on cultivating communication skills for business success. Various communication tools connect people within and beyond an organization, establishing the business's place in the community and creating a need for communication to be consistent, effective, and customized. A number of different kinds of communication are covered.
These video lectures were originally created for The Saylor Foundation's free online course "BUS210: Corporate Communication." You may learn more about this course and view additional resources at www.saylor.org/courses/bus210.
This video lecture examines seven ways in which language can act as a barrier to communication, discussing cliche, jargon, and slang along the way.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the eight essential elements of communication, comparing and contrasting oral and written forms of communication.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the role of text messaging in business communication, identifies characteristics of effective email writing (for both internal and external audiences), and outlines the key principles of netiquette.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the purpose and format of business memos, the elements of a standard business letter, and strategies for effective writing.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the key elements and goals of an effective business proposal, as well as strategies for implementation.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the types and characteristics of business reports, and outlines effective strategies for creating a report.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines five basic types of resumes: functional, reverse chronological, combination, targeted, and scannable.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines some commons myths about public speaking (and presents the corresponding realities), namely: you have to be perfect; it's not like killing lions; good speakers are born, not made; you should imagine your audience naked; always use a lectern; focus on only one dimension; you must memorize your speech; look over the heads of the audience.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture outlines how to adapt communication to the aptitudes and interests of the audience members.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the art and craft of the "elevator pitch" -- a very short, persuasive presentation which, of course, doesn't have to happen in an elevator.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the role, function, and importance of a toast, as well as the elements that make up an effective toast.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines how an organization can form an emergency management plan, focusing on effective internal and external communications.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the purpose and essential elements of a typical press conference.
Source: The Saylor Foundation
This video lecture examines the concept of shared cultural characteristics (such as those within an organization or industry) and how these may be used toward more effective business communication.
Source: The Saylor Foundation