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IIE Standard Development 2013

Business Communication C BUCOf020

Assignment Business Communication C 2013
DUE DATE: TIME ALLOWANCE: MARKS: TOTAL PAGES: INSTRUCTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Assignments must be typed. Handwritten work will not be marked. All work must be adequately and correctly referenced. No more than 25% of the assignment may be copied from the original source(s) used, even if referenced correctly. Begin each section on a new page. Follow all instructions on the assignment cover sheet. This is an individual assignment. Make a copy of your assignment before handing it in. To be confirmed 10 Hours 100 Marks 5

TOPIC Learning Units: 2,6,7,8,9,10 However, you will need learning units 1, 3 and 4 as supporting evidence to be able to answer these questions. Therefore, 1-10 would be the scope.

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IIE Standard Development 2013

Business Communication C BUCOf020

TASK 1: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

[25 Marks]

(LU 6)

Read the content on intercultural communication in Learning Unit 6 AND the article below by Ron Glover and then answer the questions that follow.

Ensuring Success by Embracing Diversity The “I” in IBM stands for “International”, but it could just as easily stand for “Intercultural”, as a testament to the computer giant’s long standing commitment to embracing diversity. Ron Glover, IBM’s vice president of global workforce diversity, knows from years of experience that communicating successfully across cultures is no simple task; however, - particularly in a company that employs more than 325 000 people and sells to customers in roughly 175 countries around the world.

Language alone presents a formidable barrier to communication when you consider that IBM’s employees speak more than 165 languages. But language is just one of many elements that play a role in communication between cultures. Differences in age, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and economic status can all affect the communication process. Glover emphasises that “to operate successfully, we must be especially mindful of how we respect and value differences among people in countries and regions.” He recognises that these differences represent both a challenge and an opportunity, and a key part of his job is helping IBM executives and employees work together in a way that transforms their cultural differences into a critical business strength. Diversity, he explains, is “an essential aspect of IBM’s broader business strategy”.

Throughout its long history of employing and working with people from a variety of cultures, IBM has learned some powerful lessons. Perhaps the most significant is its conclusion that successfully managing a diverse workforce and competing in a diverse marketplace start with embracing those differences, not trying to ignore them or pretending they don’t affect interpersonal communication.

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IIE Standard Development 2013

Business Communication C BUCOf020

Take Ron Glover’s advice when he says that even if your company never does business outside the United States, “you will need to effectively engage differences to remain viable in the economy of the future”.

(Source: www.ibm.com, 2008)

1. Draw up a two-column table for this question, and label the left-hand column 1.1., and the right-hand column 1.2. Fill in your answers in the appropriate locations:

1.1

Ron Glover works in a multicultural environment. Identify any five (5) barriers to communication in the article above. (5)

1.2

In the right-hand column next to the barriers you have identified, indicate whether each of these barriers is physical or mental. Briefly motivate each of these answers with a reason. (10)

2.

Despite the problems associated with intercultural barriers, there are a number of ways to tackle them. Describe Ron Glover’s solutions to intercultural barriers. Using information from Learning Unit 6 and at least two (2) additional sources, discuss any other solutions to avoiding intercultural barriers. (5)

2.1 2.2

(5)

TASK 2: RESEARCH SKILLS

[30 Marks]

(LU 2)

Thorough research, both academically and in the business environment, ensures that one’s opinions are formed and that decisions are made competently. Imagine that you have founded your own company and are considering using social networking as a tool to further your business. Spend some time researching social networking and then answer the following questions. Remember that the focus on this is the quality of your informationgathering skills AND on your ability to reference correctly:

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IIE Standard Development 2013

Business Communication C BUCOf020

1.

Explain what social networking is, and provide three popular examples of the phenomenon. (6)

2.

Consider the main source that you used to uncover this information:

2.1

Is it primary or secondary information? Name your source and provide a reason for your answer. (4)

2.2

Imagine that you were conducting primary research to test the viability of your business idea with your specific target market. Come up with five (5) questions that you could ask a survey sample group. Four (4) of these should be closed-ended questions, and one (1) should be open-ended. (10)

3.

Decide which social network/s (if any) you would choose to use to market your company. Explain why you think that these are the best choices for your business. (5)

4.

You will be awarded marks based on the accuracy, consistency and presence of your referencing as follows:

4.1

In-text referencing (used throughout the assignment where applicable). (2)

4.2

Bibliography (at the end of this assignment).

(3)

TASK 3: WRITING AND COMPLETING AN ESSAY

[30 Marks]

(LU 9)

One of your investors is rather old-fashioned and refuses to accept your marketing plan supporting the use of social media. Write a 250 – 350 word essay (using at least four (4) sources) to the investor convincing him/her of the benefits that social media could have on your business. Please remember that you need to provide evidence of research here, so in-text referencing is essential.

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IIE Standard Development 2013

Business Communication C BUCOf020

Your essay should follow the format discussed in your manual, and display planning, clear, logical progression, and evidence of thorough editing. You will receive marks for structure, content, language, presentation and style and research and readings.

TASK 4: LETTER OF COMPLAINT

[15 Marks]

(LU 10)

Four (4) months ago you commissioned a web development company to design and host a website to promote your business, Trendline. Your vision is to provide clients with relevant product information, online shopping and customer service.

You paid half the cost of the project upon commencement, but despite an agreedupon two-month delivery time, the website is still not online. You have tried unsuccessfully to contact the web developer on two separate occasions and now wish to take things further to get your website up-and-running.

Write a letter of complaint to Robert Daniels, Manager of Wonder Web (20 Tission Road, Walmer, Cape St Francis, 7722). You may make up any other information that you need. Please remember to follow the correct format and letter structure.

Assessment Criteria:

Content: Applicable to the given scenario and reflective of the appropriate content for the type of communication. Language: Grammatically correct, with good spelling. All documents should also be edited. Presentation: Professional and neat. Format: Appropriate to the documentation being written. Style: Formal and professional, with high readability. [TOTAL MARKS: 100]

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Bibliography: Write a letter of complaint to Robert Daniels, Manager of Wonder Web (20 Tission Road, Walmer, Cape St Francis, 7722). You may make up any other information that you need. Please remember to follow the correct format and letter structure.