Communication Skills for

New Venture Creation

SAQA ID: 49648 | NQF Level 2
Presented by: Tendai Mago
Introduction to Communication

Communication is key to effective business

management.
This course will enhance your reading, writing, and
oral communication skills for business success.
Course Objectives

• By the end of this course, learners will:

• Access and use information from texts.
• Write for defined business contexts.
• Communicate effectively using different language structures.
• Use non-verbal communication strategies in the workplace.
Unit Standards Covered

 Unit Standard 8963: Access and Use Information from Texts

 Unit Standard 8964: Write for a Defined Context
 Unit Standard 8962: Engage in Sustained Oral
CommunicationUnit Standard 8967: Interpret and Use
Information in the Workplace
Why Communication is Important

 Good communication enhances productivity and team

collaboration.
 It helps convey ideas, solve problems, and avoid
misunderstandings.
 Essential for internal and external business relationships.
Communication Process

 The sender encodes a message.

 The message is sent through a channel.
 The receiver decodes the message.
 Feedback is provided.
 Key takeaway: Effective communication requires clarity and feedback.
Barriers to Effective Communication

• Common barriers include:

• Misinterpretation of words or tone.
• Lack of feedback or clarification.
• Cultural differences and language barriers.
• Emotional interference.
Unit Standard 8963: Access and Use
Information from Texts

 Purpose: Develop skills to identify main ideas, summarize,

and extract relevant information from texts.
 Focus on improving reading strategies and understanding
socio-cultural contexts in communication.
Reading Strategies: Skimming

• Skimming: Reading quickly to identify the main

points.Example: Skimming a newspaper for headlines.
 Use this technique to gather information efficiently in a time-
constrained environment.
Reading Strategies: Scanning

• Scanning: Searching for specific information within a

text.Example: Looking for dates or names in a report.
 Ideal for finding relevant details without reading the entire
document.
Identifying Main Ideas in Text

• Main ideas are the central messages or arguments in a text.

• Supporting details help to elaborate or explain the main idea.
• Activity: Practice summarizing the main points of an article.
Analyzing Text for Author’s Purpose

• Writers often aim to:Inform

• Persuade
• Entertain
 Exercise: Identify the author’s purpose in different text types
(e.g., newspaper, advertisement).
Summarizing Information

 Summaries: Condense a text to its most important ideas.

 Example: Summarize an article on business trends in 3-4 key
points.
Using Visual Aids for Information

• Common visual aids:Flowcharts, bar graphs, pie charts, and

Venn diagrams.
 Help to represent data or information clearly and concisely.
Unit Standard 8964: Writing for a
Defined Context

 Purpose: Write effectively for different business contexts

(reports, emails, business letters).
 Match text type, tone, and content to the intended audience.
Writing for a Specific Purpose

• When writing, consider:Audience: Who is reading the

document?
• Purpose: Why are you writing? (e.g., to inform, to request)
• Exercise: Write an email requesting a meeting with a
potential client
Grammatical Structures for
Business Writing

 Use clear, simple sentences.Vary sentence length and

structure for readability.
 Example: Compare complex vs. simple sentence structures in
a business memo.
Writing Conventions and
Punctuation

• Correct use of punctuation helps convey meaning accurately.

• Examples:Commas separate ideas.
• Full stops indicate the end of a thought.
 Activity: Practice editing punctuation in a sample paragraph.
Formatting Business Documents

• Proper formatting for different types of business writing:

• Reports: Include headings, bullet points, and visuals.
• Emails: Be concise, use polite language, and check for
grammar.
• Letters: Use formal tone, structured format (salutation, body,
closing).
Editing and Proofreading

 Editing: Improving content, clarity, and structure.

 Proofreading: Checking for spelling, grammar, and
punctuation errors.
 Exercise: Proofread a draft business letter for errors.
Unit Standard 8962: Oral
Communication in the Workplace

 Purpose: Develop oral communication skills for sustained

interaction in business.
 Focus on adapting speech based on audience and context.
Active Listening

• Active listening involves:

• Giving full attention to the speaker.
• Providing feedback (nodding, asking questions).
 Key takeaway: Listening is as important as speaking in effective communication
Non-Verbal Communication

• Non-verbal signals include:

• Body language (posture, gestures).
• Eye contact and facial expressions.
• Tone of voice.
 Activity: Practice conveying different emotions through non-verbal cues.
Barriers to Effective Oral
Communication

• Common barriers include:

• Poor listening skills.
• Overuse of jargon or complex language.
• Misreading body language.
Adapting Speech for Audience and
Context

• Tailor your language, tone, and style based on who you are
speaking to:
• Formal vs. informal settings.
• Cultural and hierarchical considerations.
• Activity: Role-play a formal business meeting.
Role of Feedback in Communication

• Feedback helps ensure the message is understood.

• Clarify if the message was unclear.
• Encourage open-ended questions.
 Exercise: Practice giving and receiving feedback in a group discussion.
Using Visual and Multimedia Tools
in Presentations

• Visual aids enhance oral presentations:Use slides, videos, or infographics to reinforce

key points.
• Keep visuals simple and focused.
 Tip: Avoid overcrowding slides with too much information.
Unit Standard 8967: Interpreting
Information in the Workplace

 Purpose: Apply reading, writing, and oral communication

skills to interpret workplace documents.
 Examples include policies, procedures, and reports.
Reading Policies and Procedures

• Policies provide guidelines on conduct and operations in a

business.Read carefully to ensure compliance.
• Exercise: Read and summarize a section from a company’s
code of conduct.
Filling Out Workplace Forms

• Correctly filling out forms is essential for workplace

communication.
• Examples: Leave application forms, reimbursement requests.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness.
Analyzing Data from Workplace
Reports

• Workplace reports often contain data or statistics.

• Example: Interpret a bar graph showing sales trends over
time.
• Activity: Analyze and present findings from a workplace
report.
Effective Presentation Skills

• Good presentation skills include:

• Clear structure (introduction, body, conclusion).
• Engaging the audience through questions or discussion.
 Activity: Prepare and present a short business proposal.
Understanding Cultural Differences
in Communication

• Communication styles differ across cultures.

• Be aware of body language, tone, and expectations in multicultural teams.
• Example: Respecting formality in different cultural settings.
Overcoming Communication
Challenges in the Workplace

• Common challenges:
• Language barriers.
• Misunderstandings due to tone or jargon.
• Tips: Be patient, ask clarifying questions, and simplify
language when necessary.
Conflict Resolution through
Communication

• Communication is essential for resolving workplace conflicts.

• Focus on clear, calm dialogue.
• Listen to all sides of the issue.
 Exercise: Role-play resolving a conflict between team
members.
Summarizing and Reporting Back
on Communication Tasks

• Summarizing helps ensure information is understood and

actioned.
• Example: Summarize a team meeting and send minutes to all
participants.
• Use bullet points and concise language.
Developing a Communication
Strategy for Your Business

• A good communication strategy aligns with business goals.

• Identify key stakeholders.
• Choose the right channels for communication (e.g., email,
meetings, reports).
 Activity: Draft a communication plan for your business.
Effective Business Correspondence

• Tips for writing professional business emails and letters:

• Be clear and to the point.
• Use appropriate language for the context.
• Proofread before sending to avoid errors.
Conclusion

 Communication is a critical skill for business success.

 Use the tools and strategies from this course to enhance your
communication in various contexts.
 Continue practicing and seeking feedback to improve.