1. Lecturer: Gareth Jones Class 1: Introduction, Basic Writing Skills & Reports

2.  Lecturer: Gareth Jones  Email: garethjonesit@gmail.com 05/09/20152Business Communication (BUS-100)

3.  “Guide to Managerial Communication” by Mary Munter  “Excellence in Business Communication” by J.V. Thill & C.L. Bovée”  Additional reading & assignments may be posted online at: ◦ http://www.uwcentre.ac.cn/haut/ 05/09/20153Business Communication (BUS-100)

4.  Pay attention in class  No cheating (I will know)  Ask questions if you don’t understand anything  It’s important you work hard in the tutorials- it’ll make the exam, assignment and presentation easier for you  It’s an English language module- the instruction language and assessed language is ENGLISH 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)4

5.  This course is comprised of two modules: ◦ BUS-102 Practical Business Communication  Focus on writing reports and presentation skills with an assessed presentation and assessed piece of coursework ◦ BUS-101 Written Business Communication  In addition to the content covered in BUS-102 the addition of communication skills, careers and practical business knowledge with one written examination 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)5

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8.  You will be given an assignment to complete in groups of 4 or 5, the selection of which will be beyond your control  The assignment will be based on writing a report on a topic given on Thursday September 1 st  You will learn the skills required to complete this assignment in classes 1 – 4  There is no ‘right’ answer to this assignment! 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)8

9.  You will give a group presentation on an aspect of your written assignment in the same groups as that assignment  You will acquire the skills needed to complete this assignment in classes 7 - 9 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)9

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11.  In order to pass the course, you must attain 40%  The British grading system is roughly: ◦ 1 st Class >= 70% ◦ 2:1 >= 60% < 70% ◦ 2:2 >= 50% < 60% ◦ Third >= 40% < 50% ◦ Fail = below 40%  Note: Most people get 2:1’s and 2:2’s 05/09/201511Business Communication (BUS-100)

12.  By the end of this module you should be able to: ◦ Plan and write effectively ◦ Be able to take notes more effectively ◦ Research and reference your work in the right way ◦ Format letters, memos and emails in the correct way ◦ Write a good CV and cover letter ◦ Understand new media business communication 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)12

13.  By the end of this module you should be able to: ◦ Give an impressive interview ◦ Give an effective business presentation ◦ Understand business etiquette & teams ◦ Understand business between different cultures ◦ Run a meeting  In short, understand how to communicate better through any medium! 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)13

14.  Paraphrasing 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)14 Source Information Knowledge Absorb source information Process information in your own way

15.  Paraphrasing ◦ your own version of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form. ◦ a more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea. 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)15

16.  Sentence Structure  Paragraphs  Business Reports 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)16

17.  What is a sentence?  What is a paragraph? 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)17

18.  A sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought  A sentence should contain one clause (subject and a predicate)  4 types of sentences: ◦ Simple ◦ Compound ◦ Complex ◦ Complex-compound 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)18

19.  1 clause  “Company profits decreased this year” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)19

20.  The subject is the person or thing about which something is said.  The subject is usually a noun or pronoun. 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)20

21.  The predicate is everything that is said about the subject.  The predicate always contains a verb. 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)21

22.  Subject:Predicate: ◦ Catis fat! 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)22

23.  2 or more clauses that express two or more independent but related thoughts of equal importance  Usually with and, but or or  “Profits have decreased by 10%, and employ turnover has been high” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)23

24.  One main clause and one or more independent clauses related to it  The subordinate thought could not stand alone  “Although his performances this year have been disappointing, you can’t deny that he’s been trying his best” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)24

25.  2 main clauses, one of which must have a subordinate clause  “Company profits have decreased again this year, and although his performances have been disappointing you must admit that he has tried his best” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)25

26.  Use a combination of sentence structures in your writing  Use sentence style to emphasise key thoughts  Don’t try to overcomplicated things  Be succinct 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)26

27.  Sentence Structure  Paragraphs  Business Reports 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)27

28.  Organise sentences related to the same topic  Unit of thought structured through sentences in the paragraph  Contains a topic sentence, support sentence and transitional words and phrases 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)28

29.  Sentence that introduces the topic  In business often the first sentence  Introduced the subject allowing it to be developed  “The team has been in difficulty since the start of the season” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)29

30.  Support the topic sentence  Must have a bearing on the general subject  Provide enough details to make the topic clear  “The team has been in difficulty since the start of the season. Since 2007 a number of media reports have suggested all was not well behind the scenes. The coaching staff have been accused of in-fighting, and there have been suggestions that a number of key players intend to leave. ” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)30

31.  Helps paragraphs to be arranged in a logical order  Words or phrases that tie ideas together ◦ Connecting words: and, but, however ◦ Echo words from previous sentences ◦ Use pro-nouns that have referred to nouns previously ◦ Use frequently paired words 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)31

32.  Additional details: moreover, furthermore, besides  Casual relationships: therefore, because, accordingly  Comparison: similarly, likewise, in comparison  Contrast: yet, conversely, however  Condition: although, if 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)32

33.  Illustration: for example, in particular, in this case  Time sequence: after, when, sometimes  Intensification: indeed, in fact  Summary: to sum up, to conclude, in brief  Repetition: that is, in other words 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)33

34.  Illustration  Comparison or contrast  Cause and effect  Classification  Problem and solution 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)34

35.  Giving examples  “Sales have increased by 5% this year to £10’000’000 per annum, despite the gloomy economic forecasts” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)35

36.  Using similarities or differences to develop the topic  “Based on the fact sales in the Northern region decreased after the launch of the new marketing campaign, we should not pursue the same campaign” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)36

37.  Focus on reasons for something  “The managerial problems and disputes between players could be attributed to the fact that results have been poor since 2007” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)37

38.  General idea broken into categories  “We can roughly divide the players in our team into several categories. Firstly, players from within our own academy system. Secondly, player’s we’ve brought in from the other local academies. Thirdly, players we’ve brought in from within the country. Finally, players we’ve brought in internationally.” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)38

39.  Presenting a problem and discussing the solution  “Managing star players has been very difficult for our team with all the media pressure. However, by offering extra support to star players and encouraging camaraderie with their team mates, some of this pressure can be taken off the players and therefore the team as a whole.” 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)39

40.  Paragraphs are used to organise sentences with the same topic  Paragraphs contain a topic sentence, support sentence and transitional words and phrases  Using different types of paragraphs based on your audience is a good idea  A combination of types of paragraphs is usually a good idea in any context 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)40

41.  Whether your writing in a business, or another context, what you are doing will usually have a beginning, middle and end  Try to make what you do focused and well planned ◦ Know what you are writing about before you start  We will revisit writing skills later in the course, now onto business specific writing… 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)41

42.  Sentence Structure  Paragraphs  Business Reports 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)42

43.  The backbone of business communication  This report presents information to assist in business decision making  Any large decision a company makes must be preceded by a formal Business Report 05/09/201543Business Communication (BUS-100)

44.  Examples: ◦ Hire a new employee ◦ Begin a new project ◦ Purchase new equipment ◦ Start a new advertising campaign ◦ Fire an employee ◦ Analyse a merger 05/09/201544Business Communication (BUS-100)

45.  All of the previous examples must begin with a business report  So, how do we format these reports? ◦ Every company has their own report format ◦ Most report formats follow a general trend… 05/09/201545Business Communication (BUS-100)

46. 1.Title Page 2.Table of Contents 3.List of Figures 4.Executive Summary 5.Methods 6.Report Body 7.Recommendations 8.References/Bibliography 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)46

47.  1. Title Page ◦ Must include: ◦ Title of the Report ◦ Author ◦ Date (Finished or Submitted) 05/09/201547Business Communication (BUS-100)

48.  2. Table of Contents ◦ Must include: ◦ A list of the sections of the report with page numbers  Name of each section  Number page starts on 05/09/201548Business Communication (BUS-100)

49.  3. List of Figures ◦ Must include: ◦ The name of every figure, graph, chart etc. that is in the report ◦ The page number each figure is on 05/09/201549Business Communication (BUS-100)

50.  4. Executive Summary ◦ Must include: ◦ The most important parts (key points) of the report  Helps the reader to understand the report by only reading a short part of it 05/09/201550Business Communication (BUS-100)

51.  4. Executive Summary ◦ How long should it be? ◦ Less than 1/10 th the length of the body ◦ E.g: ◦ Body 30 pages ◦ Executive Summary 3 pages 05/09/201551Business Communication (BUS-100)

52.  4. Executive Summary ◦ What is it?  For your assignment: Think of it as one or two paragraphs (4-7 sentences each) ◦ Must have:  Topic Sentence(Beginning)  3-5 Body Sentences (Middle)  Concluding sentence (End) 05/09/201552Business Communication (BUS-100)

53.  5. Methodology / Methods ◦ Description of the way you got the information to write your report ◦ Answers the questions:  “How did I get this information?”  “Where did I get this information?” 05/09/201553Business Communication (BUS-100)

54.  5. Methodology / Methods ◦ How did I get this information?  Surveys/Questionnaires – open & closed questions  Interviews  Focus groups  Case studies – positive and negative ◦ Where did I get this information?  Staff  Customers  General public 05/09/201554Business Communication (BUS-100)

55.  6. Report Body ◦ The ‘meat’ of the report ◦ Contains all the important information, data, analysis and conclusions 05/09/201555Business Communication (BUS-100)

56.  6. Report Body ◦ Three main sections:  Introduction (Beginning)  Main Body (Middle)  Conclusion (End) 05/09/201556Business Communication (BUS-100)

57.  6. Report Body ◦ Introduction  Explains why the report is written and what will be in the main body 05/09/201557Business Communication (BUS-100)

58.  6. Report Body ◦ Main Body  Contains all the important information, data, analysis etc.  The longest part of the report 05/09/201558Business Communication (BUS-100)

59.  6. Report Body ◦ Conclusion  Summarises and concludes the report 05/09/201559Business Communication (BUS-100)

60.  7. Recommendations ◦ Suggestions, solutions or recommendations for the audience to consider 05/09/201560Business Communication (BUS-100)

61.  8. References / Bibliography ◦ Suggestions, solutions or recommendations for the audience to consider ◦ A list of the sources used to prepare the report  Includes: books, websites, articles, interviews, databases, videos etc. ◦ Should stick to one referencing format (we will use the Standard Harvard Referencing System) 05/09/201561Business Communication (BUS-100)

62. 1.Title Page 2.Table of Contents 3.List of Figures 4.Executive Summary 5.Methods 6.Report Body 7.Recommendations 8.References/Bibliography 05/09/201562Business Communication (BUS-100)

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64.  We have covered: ◦ Basic writing structure (sentences and paragraphs) ◦ Basic report structure (from the title to the references) ◦ What the course is about!  Outcomes: ◦ With a bit of practice you should be able to write more professionally and structure reports 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)64

65.  In the tutorial we will explore and practice basic writing skills 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)65

66.  The writing process 05/09/2015Business Communication (BUS-100)66