Reference no: EM133673146

Foundation Programme in Business Studies

Aims:
This module focuses on theories relating to current trends in Business Communication including marketing and crisis situations. Through small group working it develops practical communications skills to a "real-time" campaign allowing students to experience the process of a campaign from strategic intent through to delivery in a business environment. Development of campaign themes, key messages, and message consistency provides students of this module with theoretical knowledge and skills set transferable into both pro-active and reactive communications with internal and external audiences.

Brief module description/summary: Business communication and negotiation is one of the key skills needed for people involves with any business activities. This module provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and practice the theories and techniques how to communicate effectively to business partners. This module assists students in exploring and developing perspectives on communication at personal and organisational levels recognising cultural contexts. The nature and importance of management in the organisation will be considered and links between these key areas analysed appropriately.

Learning outcome 1: Describe and analyse the purposes and principles behind different forms of effective organisational communication;
Learning outcome 2: Identify common challenges to effective communication;
Learning outcome 3: Devise and develop strategies for overcoming communication barriers
Learning outcome 4: Evaluate the communication practices at individual and organisational levels

Overview of learning and teaching activities on the module: adapted from the module descriptor/specification, this section explains what is done for each category of class (lecture, seminar, workshop, lab, rehearsal, field trip, placement etc.) in broad terms. It has to be module specific. If specific activities have a cost or specific requirements (e.g. field trips, specific equipment, etc), this should have been highlighted to students in the course handbook in addition to here. Please indicate whether the non-standard activities are optional or mandatory and if optional what the extra costs, if there are any, are likely to be.

Further information about the assessment can be found at the end of this handbook, in the "assessment brief" section.
It's important that you meet your assessment deadline to help manage your workload and ensure your timely progression to your next level of study. However, we understand that in exceptional cases you may be unable to submit your work on time or do well in your exams due to unexpected events which are short-term in nature and beyond your control. Find out more about what to do in situations such as these here.

A coursework extension or a chance to re-take your exam is not an automatic right; and to ensure fairness and transparency, exceptional circumstances requests will only be approved if they meet the criteria, are submitted on time and - where relevant - include appropriate professional evidence.

Indicative schedule of delivery: one line on what will be covered in each session; do adapt depending on whether the module is delivered weekly, in blocks or other pattern of delivery. The number of weeks should correspond to the Academic Calendar your module is aligned with. Highlighting dates for ADW and PDW in this section may help, and deadlines for assessments. Do incorporate here if field trips/visits are part of the module. Do adapt the table below to suit your needs

Assessment 1 - Advertising campaign (500 words maximum)

The weather in the UK is never very reliable and as a result many people choose to have holidays abroad during the summer. However, many travel agencies are worried because since Brexit there have been very low levels of sales.
Travel agencies have identified the following reasons that people do not want travel abroad.

Economic barriers - people are reluctant to spend too much on holidays because they are worried about the rising cost of living and energy bills. They are also worried about the high interest rates which have increased their monthly mortgage payments.

Cost of living barriers - supermarket prices have risen significantly, and people are only buying essential items. These do not include travel accessories.

Information barriers - after Brexit, passport rules have changed and this makes travelling with a British passport less convenient. Customers are confused about the new passport rules and whether or not their passports are still valid.

Strike barriers - many workers are striking at the moment, and this can seriously disrupt travel plans. Some airports are very understaffed, and this can cause long delays and cancellations to flights.

Natural disaster barriers - due to extreme heat, fires and earthquakes in parts of Europe last year, tourists had to be evacuated from some areas. Customer feedback reported a lack of information and protocol.

TASK

Choose a travel agency and prepare two leaflets to send to the customers in its database. The leaflets should include relevant images and text and not exceed 500 words in total. Please provide references. Marks will be awarded for achieving the learning outcomes and your ability to provide two well-designed leaflets.
In your two leaflets, you should highlight:
Challenges and barriers to effective communication (reasons customers are not travelling abroad).
Effective strategies for overcoming communication barriers (how to persuade customers to travel abroad).

Assessment 2 - Individual Report (1500 words maximum)

The leaflets that you designed have now been sent to all customers in the database. You need to write a follow up report for the management team.

Your report should discuss some general theories of organisational communication. It must also evaluate the barriers you identified and outline the strategies implemented to solve these.

In your report, you should address the following:
Discuss some general theories of organisational communication.
Evaluate the barriers preventing people from booking holidays abroad.
Outline the strategies your travel agency has implemented to overcome these barriers.

Report Structure:
Ensure that the report has the following structure and contains the details outlined:
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Analysis and discussion of all questions
Recommendations
Conclusion
Reference List following Harvard referencing and in-text citations throughout.