English of Business c1

Course n°1: Effective Business Talk
Description: the design of this course is to help you enhance your spoken communication
skills in a professional business context. You will learn to speak confidently, clearly, and
persuasively in various business situations.
1. Business Communication Fundamentals
1.1. Introduction to Business Communication
1.1.1. Importance of effective business communication
Effective business communication is essential for the success of any organization. It allows
businesses to build strong relationships with their customers, employees, and other
stakeholders. It also helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards
common goals.
Effective business communication can lead to a number of benefits, including:
- Increased productivity
- Improved decision-making
- Enhanced teamwork and collaboration
- Reduced misunderstandings and conflicts
- Improved customer service
- Stronger relationships with stakeholders
- Enhanced brand reputation
- Increased sales and profits
1.1.2. Key elements of successful business conversations
A number of key elements, including, characterizes successful business conversations:
- Clarity: the communicator should clearly articulate their message, using concise and
unambiguous language.
- Conciseness: the communicator should avoid rambling or going off on tangents. They
should focus on the most important points and get to the point quickly.
- Courtesy: the communicator should be polite and respectful to their audience. They
should avoid using offensive language or making personal attacks.
- Active listening: the communicator should pay attention to what the other person is
saying and ask clarifying questions. They should also avoid interrupting or talking over
their audience.
- Empathy: the communicator should try to understand the other person's perspective
and tailor their message accordingly.
- Flexibility: the communicator should be willing to adapt their communication style to
the situation and their audience.
1.2. Business Conversation Structure
1.2.1. Structure of a typical business conversation
Typical business conversations follow a general structure, which can be broken down into
the following stages:
- Introduction: the participants introduce themselves and exchange greetings.
- Icebreaker: the participants may engage in small talk to build rapport and create a more
relaxed atmosphere.
- Agenda: the participants discuss the purpose of the conversation and agree on an
agenda.
- Body: the participants discuss the agenda items in detail.
- Conclusion: the participants summarize the key points of the conversation and agree
on next steps.
1.2.2. Purpose and nuances of small talk
Small talk is a brief, informal conversation about non-controversial topics. It is often used
to build rapport and create a more relaxed atmosphere before engaging in a more serious
discussion.
Small talk can be used for a variety of purposes in a business setting, including:
- Getting to know a new colleague or client
- Building rapport with potential customers or partners
- Networking with other professionals
- Breaking the ice before a meeting or presentation
- Reducing tension or awkwardness in a conversation
Here are some tips for making small talk in a business setting:
- Choose topics that are safe and non-controversial, such as current events, sports, or
hobbies.
- Avoid talking about personal or sensitive topics, such as religion, politics, or money.
- Be a good listener and ask open-ended questions.
- Keep the conversation light and positive.
- Be respectful of the other person's time.
 Activity 1: Elevator Pitch Practice
- Task: Create and practice a 30-second elevator pitch about yourself.
- Activity Description: Deliver elevator pitches to the class.

- Feedback: Provide brief feedback on clarity and confidence.
- Improvement: Make quick improvements based on feedback.
1.3. Active Listening

1.3.1. The art of active listening and its role in effective communication
Active listening is the process of paying attention to what someone is saying, understanding
their message, and responding in a way that shows you have listened and understood. It is an
essential skill for effective communication in all areas of life, including personal relationships,
work, and school.
Active listening has a number of benefits, including:
- It helps to build trust and rapport with others.
- It shows that you care about what the other person has to say.
- It helps to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
- It leads to better decision-making and problem solving.
- It improves communication and relationships overall.
Techniques for improving listening skills:
Several techniques exist that can help you improve your listening skills. Some of the most
important include:
- Give your full attention: when someone is speaking to you, put away your phone, close
your laptop, and stop thinking about your to-do list. Focus on the speaker and what their
speech.
- Make eye contact: eye contact shows the speaker that you are engaged and paying
attention.
- Use nonverbal cues: nod your head, smile, and make other nonverbal cues to show the
speaker that you are following along.
- Ask clarifying questions: if you do not understand something, ask the speaker to explain
it further. This shows that you are interested and that you want to make sure you
understand their message correctly.
- Summarize what you have heard: at the end of the conversation, summarize what the
speaker has said to check your understanding and make sure you are on the same page.
2. Business Presentation Skills

2.1. Preparing for a Business Presentation
2.1.1. Choosing a suitable presentation topic.
When choosing a presentation topic, it is important to consider the following factors:
Your audience: Who are you presenting to? What are their interests and needs? What do
they already know about your topic?
Example: Audience: Corporate employees
Topic: "Effective Communication in the Workplace"
Your purpose: What do you want to achieve with your presentation? Do you want to
inform, persuade, or entertain your audience?
Example: Purpose: Provide strategies and tips for improving communication skills in the
workplace.
Your expertise: What do you know about your topic? Are you passionate about it?
Once you have considered these factors, you can start to brainstorm potential topics. Here
are a few tips:
 Choose a topic that you are interested in and knowledgeable about.
 Choose a topic that is relevant to your audience. Ex:"The Future of E-Commerce:
Trends and Innovations", Audience: Business owners and e-commerce
professionals, Purpose: Explore emerging trends and technologies in the e-
commerce industry.
 Choose a topic that is specific enough to be covered in the allotted (attribué) time,
but broad enough to be interesting. Ex: Topic: "The Art of Negotiation: Strategies
and Tactics for Successful Business Deals", Focusing on negotiation in the context
of business deals, this topic ensures a thorough discussion of strategies and tactics
while maintaining broad relevance.
 Choose a topic that is original and engaging. Ex: Topic: "The Science of Laughter:
How Humor Affects the Brain and Well-Being", Explore the neurological and
psychological aspects of humor and its impact on human health and happiness.
2.1.2. Audience analysis and message adaptation.
Audience analysis is the process of understanding your audience's demographics, interests,

needs, and knowledge level. This information is essential for tailoring your presentation
message and delivery style to your audience.
There are a number of ways to conduct an audience analysis. You can survey your
audience, interview them, or observe them. You can also collect data about your audience from
public records or social media.
Once you have a good understanding of your audience, you can start to adapt your message.
This may involve adjusting the content, language, and delivery style of your presentation.
The followings are a few tips for adapting your message to your audience:
 Use language that is appropriate for your audience's knowledge level and interests.
 Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with.
 Be respectful of your audience's beliefs and values.
 Tailor your presentation to the specific needs of your audience.
By conducting an audience analysis and adapting your message, you can ensure that your
presentation is informative, engaging, and persuasive.
 Activity 2: " Topic Exploration and Justification"

Objective: This activity helps students explore and justify their choices for presentation
topics based on audience, purpose, and expertise.Task: Pair up with a classmate and simulate a
brief business email exchange.
Discussion Questions:
- What audience did you choose for your topic, and why?
- What is the primary purpose or goal of your presentation on this topic?
- How does your level of expertise in this topic influence your choice?
2.2. Effective Delivery Techniques
2.2.1. Techniques for delivering engaging and persuasive business
presentations
Be enthusiastic: Show your audience that you are passionate about your topic. This will
make them more likely to be interested in what you have to say.
Be clear and concise: Get to the point quickly and avoid rambling. Your message should
be easy to understand.
Use stories and examples: Stories and examples make your presentation more engaging
and memorable.
Use humor: Appropriate humor can make your presentation more enjoyable and engaging.
Use visuals: Visuals help to illustrate your points and make your presentation more
visually appealing.
Interact with your audience: Ask questions, invite participation, and tell stories. This will
help to keep your audience engaged.
Practice: The more you practice your presentation, the more confident and polished you
will be.
2.2.2. Using visual aids effectively
Visual aids can be a powerful tool for enhancing your presentation. However, it is
important to use them effectively.
-Use visuals to support your message, not replace it. Visuals should be used to illustrate
your points, not to simply repeat what you are saying.
-Keep your visuals simple and easy to understand. Avoid cluttering your visuals with too
much text or too many images.
-Use high-quality visuals. Your visuals should be clear and professional-looking.
-Use visuals sparingly. Too many visuals can be overwhelming and distracting.
-Explain your visuals. Don't just show your visuals and then move on. Explain what they
show and why they are important.
 Activity 3: Mock Presentation
 Task: Deliver a 3-5 minute business presentation on a topic of your choice.
 Activity Description: Presentations by students.
 Feedback: Provide brief feedback on content and delivery.
 Improvement: Make quick adjustments based on feedback.

English of Business c1

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Course n°1: Effective Business Talk

- Task: Create and practice a 30-second elevator pitch about yourself.

- Activity Description: Deliver elevator pitches to the class.

- Improvement: Make quick improvements based on feedback.

1.3. Active Listening

2. Business Presentation Skills

Audience analysis is the process of understanding your audience's demographics, interests,

 Activity 2: " Topic Exploration and Justification"

 Task: Deliver a 3-5 minute business presentation on a topic of your choice.

 Activity Description: Presentations by students.

 Feedback: Provide brief feedback on content and delivery.

 Improvement: Make quick adjustments based on feedback.

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