Unit 1 – Business English
Meaning of Business Communication
Communication in the business context means the exchange of messages between organizational people for
bringing about desirable and target-oriented results.
Importance and Objective
1. Establish and disseminate goals of an enterprise.
2. Develop plans for their achievement.
3. Organize human and other resources in the most effective and efficient way.
4. Select, develop and appraise members of the organization.
5. Lead, direct, motivate and create a climate in which people want to contribute.
6. Control performance.
Communication Process
Modes of Communication
1. Verbal Communication (Use of verbs)
a. Oral
b. Written
2. Non Verbal Communication
a. Sign Language
b. Body Language
Types of Business Communication
1. Upward Communication (Lower Management to upper management)
2. Horizontal Communication (Intradepartmental)
3. Downward Communication (Top Management to Lower Management)
Channels of Communication
1. Formal Communication (Business communication is a part of formal communication)
2. Informal Communication
3. Grapevine communication (MLM Society)
Cross Culture Communication:
Cross-cultural communication is interacting with people of another culture with an awareness of what might
or might not be appropriate to do, say, or even wear.
It arises due to differences shaped by deeply rooted customs, including language (both verbal and
nonverbal), religion, economic status, and gender roles.
It is an essential soft skill because it can make or break personal and business relationships. It is also critical
for improving international relations and furthering a vision of achieving global peace.
“An understanding of how people from different, cultures speak, communicate and perceive the world
around them “
Role of Cross Culture Communication:
1. Culture is "the shared ways in which groups of people understand and interpret the world.
2. The customs, ideas, and social behaviour of a particular people or group.
3. Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations and norms for behaviour.
Problem of Cross Culture Differences:
1. Body positions and movements differ among cultures and the differences can affect communication. For
example, Hand high above the shoulder means to salute, whereas in some countries it means hail Hitler.
2. Views and practices concerning various factors of human relationships (time, space, intimacy, odors, frankness,
values, emotions).
High Context – Low Context Society:
High Context Society: High context refers to societies or groups where people have close connections over a long
period of time. Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit (Clear) because most members know what to
do and what to think from years of interaction with each other. Business usually happens on the basis of trust.
For Example: China, Japan, India
Low Context Society: Low context refers to societies where people tend to have many connections but of shorter
duration or for some specific reason. In these societies, cultural behaviour and beliefs may need to be spelled out
explicitly so that those coming into the cultural environment know how to behave. Business happens on the basis of
communication and profit.
For Example: USA, Germany, Aussies, Swiss etc.
Difference b/w these society
Differing attitudes toward various factors of human relationships cause communication problems.
1. Time: Views about time differ widely. Some cultures stress punctuality and some do not.
2. Space: Space is viewed differently by different culture. In some cultures, people want to be far apart and in
other cultures, they want to be close.
3. Smell: Some cultures view some perfumes as bad and others view them as normal.
4. FRANKNESS: Low-context cultures are franker and more explicit than high-context cultures.
5. VALUES: Each culture has different values concerning such matters as attitude towards work, employee-
employer relations and authority.
6. EXPRESSION OF EMOTIONS: Social behaviour varies by culture, such as practices concerning affection,
laughter, and emotion.
Solution:
1. Diversity Training
2. Proper training for inpatriates
3. Using English as a main language in international MNC’s as it is a global language.
4. Educating people regarding doe’s and don’ts in certain cultures
Unit 2 – Business English
Email
1. Begin with a greeting
2. Thank the recipient (Thank you for sharing your email with me)
3. State your purpose
4. Add your closing remarks
5. End with a closing
Format
1. From
2. To
3. CC
4. BCC
5. Subject
6. Salutation (Begin with greeting)
7. Main Body (Thank the receipt, state your purpose, Add your closing remarks, All in 3 para)
8. End with closing
9. Attachment
10. Signature Line
Memorandum
1. Big memorandum written on top
2. To
3. CC
4. From
5. Date
6. Subject
7. No Salutation direct start
8. Introduce the problem in first paragraph
9. Add context
10. Add consequences
11. End
12. Signature
Business Phrases
https://preply.com/en/blog/b2b-business-english-terms-phrases/
7 C of communication
Communication should be clear
Communication should be concise (Brief)
Communication should be concrete (Real)
Communication should be correct
Communication should be coherent (clarity)
Communication should be complete
Communication should be courteous (Polite)
