Communications
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Business Communication

Objectives & GoalsClick to read

Lay the first financial foundations for the creation of a new business or development of an existing one

  

 
Understand communication strategies  

 
Engage in online communication  

 
Communicate effectively – presenting and public speaking  

 

 

 

COMPETENCE

PROFICIENCY LEVEL - FOUNDATION

PROFICIENCY LEVEL - INTERMEDIATE

PROFICIENCY LEVEL - ADVANCED

Self-awareness and self-efficacy

Learners trust their own ability to generate value for others

Learners can make the most of their strengths and weaknesses.

Learners can compensate for their weaknesses by teaming up with others and by further developing their strengths.

Motivation and perseverance

Learners want to follow their passion and create value for others.

Learners are willing to put effort and resources into following their passion and create value for others.

Learners can stay focused on their passion and keep creating value despite setbacks.

Mobilising resources

Learners can find and use resources responsibly.

Learners can gather and manage different types of resources to create value for others.

Learners can define strategies to mobilise the resources they need to generate value for others.

Financial and economic literacy

Learners can draw up the budget for a simple activity.

Learners can find funding options and manage a budget for their value creating activity.

Learners can make a plan for the financial sustainability of a value creating activity.

Mobilising others

Learners can communicate their ideas clearly and with enthusiasm

Learners can persuade, involve and inspire others in value-creating activities.

Learners can inspire others and get them on board for value-creating activities
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What is Business Communication?Click to read

  • Business Communication is the process by which we share information with people within, and external to, your business.
  • We communicate with other people so often that sometimes we don’t think about how and why we do it.
  • Business communication is important for:
  • Planning and writing proposals
  • Making decisions
  • Reaching agreement
  • Selling
  • Providing feedback to staff and customers
  • Completing customer orders
  • Presenting business ideas e.g. to a potential funder
  • Everything you do within your business relies on clear communication so it’s important that you have a good communications strategy
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What types of Business Communication are necessary?Click to read

  • There are two main types of Business Communication
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What does effective Business Communication look like?Click to read

Successful Business Communication can mean:

  • Less distractions e.g. no email overload! This means more room for thinking and creativity
  • Clear exchange of communications between departments/business areas e.g. between you and your salesperson
  • Better customer service
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Business Communications Planning

How do I write my Business Communications Plan?Click to read

Get Busy!

Follow these simple steps:

1. Set clear goals – ask yourself what do you need to address. Perhaps your business is growing very quickly and you are losing track of information. Or perhaps you want to improve customer ratings.
2. Identify WHO you need to communicate with – customers, suppliers etc. and HOW OFTEN?
3. Decide on the best methods of communication for your business e.g. emails, surveys, face-to-face meetings
4. Then decide on the best tools for your business e.g. Google Drive or Dropbox for internal communication
5. Document the process and review and revisit quarterly.
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What does a Business Communications Plan look like?Click to read

Communication Plan area

Degree of Urgency (1-5)

Who is involved?

Goals

Actions

Date

New packaging

1

Designers

Printers

Salespeople

Customers

Timelines achieved

Launch campaign ready

Messaging agreed

Plan launch

Plan campaign message

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Digital Communication and engaging onlineClick to read

As a digital entrepreneur, much of your communication will be online:

  •     Emails
  •     Social media
  •     Digital meetings (zoom/skype)
  •     Online customer platforms e.g. Trustpilot

It is very important that your online interactions are consistent and professional.
The correct term for this is ‘Netiquette’ - being courteous and polite when communicating with others online. It is short for ‘Internet Etiquette’

 
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Rules for good NetiquetteClick to read

It is very important that your business communication strategy is the same in person and online. So remember:

  • Keep online communication professional – whether in person or online
  • Use clear and appropriate language
  • Engage in best practice when meeting online – no distractions e.g. looking at your phone!
  • Remember that everything you post online is traceable so consider your digital footprint and think before you post!

 
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Digital Communication with customers onlineClick to read

Remember: You are the ambassador for your business!

Think about how you communicate online:

  • Your language should be professional – avoid slang or expletives.
  • Always think before you post on your social media channels – consider your business reputation.
  • Never post or respond to a post if you are angry.
  • Keep posts short and concise – you will receive better responses if your message is short and direct.
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Digital Communication – case studyClick to read

Adidas Boston Marathon

The 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured many more.
Adidas had sent an email congratulating runners
who had ‘survived’ the marathon.
Although the company apologised for the poorly
worded email, customers were not impressed!

 

Remember:

When people are online, they sometimes feel invisible – they may do/say things they would never do/say in public. This includes business owners!

 

 

 
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Communicating Effectively

Tips for Public Speaking/PitchingClick to read
What is an Elevator Pitch?Click to read

  • An Elevator Pitch is a brief way of introducing you and your business – it makes 1-2 key points and is a way of connecting with someone. It should be approximately 30 seconds.
  • It should be short yet persuasive and memorable.
  • It’s called an Elevator Pitch because it should take the same amount of time that you would spend travelling in an elevator with someone.

 

 
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Video recapClick to read
Summing upClick to read

Types of Communication
Being Effective

Write your communications plan
Digital Communication

 

To Public Speaking
The Elevator Pitch

 
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Test

Test Yourself!






Related Glossary:
  • Business Communication:
    is the process by which we share information with people within and external to your business
  • Elevator Pitch:
    is a brief way of introducing you and your business - it makes 1-2 key points and is a way of connecting with someone
  • Netiquette:
    is being courteous and polite when communicating with others online. It is short for ‘Internet Etiquette’
  • See all terms
Keywords

Effective communication, Online communication

Objectives:

●    Learn the importance of effective communication for your enterprise

●    Understand the principles of effective online communication

●    Learn about public speaking, presenting, pitching

 
Learning Outcomes:

●    Understand communication strategies
●    Engage in Online Communication
●    Communicate effectively - presenting and public speaking

 
Resources:

How to write an elevator pitch: https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/elevator-pitch-examples

How to write your Business Communications Plan:
https://socialbee.io/blog/communications-plan-template/

 
Bibliography

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/communications-plan

 


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