mb0039
TRANSCRIPT
MB0039– Business Communication
Assignment Set- 1
Q.1 Describe any situation in your experience where the communication went wrong.
Analyze the situation by pointing out the type of barrier to communication and suggest
how to overcome this barrier.
Ans. Situation where Communication was a failure to me: As an Associate Manager, I was a
sender for a communication and intended to be received by my executives. I have sent the
following communication to my executives through a notice and displayed on the notice
board: “Coming Second Saturday to complete our targets for the month a review meeting is
arranged and all should attend. If any executive is not able to attend should find out the
contents of the meeting from their peers without fail”. But my communication went wrong
and out of 10 executives, only three executives have attended at 4.00 PM who checked-in
with me the time of the meeting. Following were the barriers of communication which stood
in the way of my communication: The “Channel” I have chosen communication by
“Receivers” did not ensure the receipt of the
The communication lacked the “Chronological context” The second Saturday being a non
working day. The communication has created a “Psychological noise” by not mentioning
correct time of the meeting and confusion has been created. The “social context” also is one
of the cause for the failure of the communication as I have not taken all my executives into
confident by giving any advance information or a intention of the meeting earlier.
Lessons learnt in order to overcome these barriers of communication: My communication
was unclear by not giving exact time of meeting. The media I have used is the placing the
notice on the notice board, instead had I circulated to all the receivers and obtained their
signatures by asking their availability or feedback my communication would not have failed.
I have chosen a wrong day a holiday though the task was a routine one.
I could have maintained good relations with my executives for success of my communication.
Overcome the communication barriers
When you send a message, you intend to communicate meaning, but the message itself
doesn’t contain meaning. The meaning exists in your mind and in the mind of your receiver.
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To understand one another, you and your receiver must share similar meanings for words,
gestures, tone of voice, and other symbols.
1. Differences in perception
The world constantly bombards us with information: sights, sounds, scents, and so on. Our
minds organize this stream of sensation into a mental map that represents our perception or
reality. In no case is the perception of a certain person the same as the world itself, and no
two maps are identical. As you view the world, your mind absorbs your experiences in a
unique and personal way. Because your perceptions are unique, the ideas you want to express
differ from other people’s Even when two people have experienced the same event, their
mental images of that event will not be identical. As senders, we choose the details that seem
important and focus our attention on the most relevant and general, a process known as
selective perception. As receivers, we try to fit new details into our existing pattern. If a detail
doesn’t quite fit, we are inclined to distort the information rather than rearrange the pattern.
2. Incorrect filtering
Filtering is screening out before a message is passed on to someone else. In business, the
filters between you and your receiver are many; secretaries, assistants, receptionists,
answering machines, etc. Those same gatekeepers may also ‘translate’ your receiver’s ideas
and responses before passing them on to you. To overcome filtering barriers, try to establish
more than one communication channel, eliminate as many intermediaries as possible, and
decrease distortion by condensing message information to the bare essentials.
3. Language problems
When you choose the words for your message, you signal that you are a member of a
particular culture or subculture and that you know the code. The nature of your code imposes
its own barriers on your message. Barriers also exist because words can be interpreted in
more than one way. Language is an arbitrary code that depends on shared definitions, but
there’s a limit to how completely any of us share the same meaning for a given word. To
overcome language barriers, use the most specific and accurate words possible. Always try to
use words your audience will understand. Increase the accuracy of your messages by using
language that describes rather than evaluates and by presenting observable facts, events, and
circumstances.
4. Poor listening
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Perhaps the most common barrier to reception is simply a lack of attention on the receiver’s
part. We all let our minds wander now and then, regardless of how hard we try to concentrate.
People are essentially likely to drift off when they are forced to listen to information that is
difficult to understand or that has little direct bearing on their own lives. Too few of us
simply do not listen well! To overcome barriers, paraphrase what you have understood, try to
view the situation through the eyes of other speakers and resist jumping to conclusions.
Clarify meaning by asking non-threatening questions, and listen without interrupting.
5. Differing emotional states
Every message contains both a content meaning, which deals with the subject of the message,
and a relationship meaning, which suggests the nature of the interaction between sender and
receiver. Communication can break down when the receiver reacts negatively to either of
these meanings. You may have to deal with people when they are upset or when you are. An
upset person tends to ignore or distort what the other person is saying and is often unable to
present feelings and ideas effectively. This is not to say that you should avoid all
communication when you are emotionally involved, but you should be alert to the greater
potential for misunderstanding that accompanies aroused emotions. To overcome emotional
barriers, be aware of the feelings that arise in your self and in others as you communicate,
and attempt to control them. Most important, be alert to the greater potential for
misunderstanding that accompanies emotional messages.
6. Differing backgrounds
Differences in background can be one of the hardest communication barriers to overcome.
Age, education, gender, social status, economic position, cultural background, temperament,
health, beauty, popularity, religion, political belief, even a passing mood can all separate one
person from another and make understanding difficult. To overcome the barriers associated
with differing backgrounds, avoid projecting your own background or culture onto others.
Clarify your own and understand the background of others, spheres of knowledge,
personalities and perceptions and don’t assume that certain behaviors mean the same thing to
everyone.
Q.2 Describe any two aspects of non verbal communication and give examples of how
each of them could be used to convey positive messages at the workplace.
Ans. Knowledge of non-verbal communication is important managers who serve as leaders
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of organizational "teams," for at least two reasons:
To function effectively as a team leader the manager must interact with the other members
successfully. Non-verbal cues, when interpreted correctly, provide him with one means to do
so.
The team members project attitudes and feelings through non-verbal communication. Some
personal needs such as approval, growth, achievement, and recognition may be met in
effective teams. The extent to which these needs are met is closely related to how perceptive
the team leader and team members are to non-verbal communication in themselves and in
others on the team.
If the team members show a true awareness to non-verbal cues, the organization will have a
better chance to succeed, for it will be an open, honest, and confronting unit. Argyle and his
associates have been studying the features of nonverbal communication that provide
information to managers and their team members. The following summarizes their findings:
Static Features
Distance.
Distance. The distance one stands from another frequently conveys a non-verbal message. In
some cultures it is a sign of attraction, while in others it may reflect status or the intensity of
the exchange.
Orientation. People may present themselves in various ways: face-to-face, side-to-side, or
even back-to-back. For example, cooperating people are likely to sit side-by-side while
competitors frequently face one another.
Posture. Obviously one can be lying down, seated, or standing. These are not the elements of
posture that convey messages. Are we slouched or erect ? Are our legs crossed or our arms
folded ? Such postures convey a degree of formality and the degree of relaxation in the
communication exchange.
Physical Contact. Shaking hands, touching, holding, embracing, pushing, or patting on the
back all convey messages. They reflect an element of intimacy or a feeling of (or lack of)
attraction.
Dynamic Features
Facial Expressions.
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Facial Expressions. A smile, frown, raised eyebrow, yawn, and sneer all convey information.
Facial expressions continually change during interaction and are monitored constantly by the
recipient. There is evidence that the meaning of these expressions may be similar across
cultures.
Gestures. One of the most frequently observed, but least understood, cues is a hand
movement. Most people use hand movements regularly when talking. While some gestures
(e.g., a clenched fist) have universal meanings, most of the others are individually learned
and idiosyncratic.
Looking. A major feature of social communication is eye contact. It can convey emotion,
signal when to talk or finish, or aversion. The frequency of contact may suggest either
interest or boredom.
The above list shows that both static features and dynamic features transmit important
information from the sender to the receiver.
Tortoriello, Blott, and DeWine have defined non-verbal communication as:
. . the exchange of messages primarily through non-linguistic means, including: kinesics
(body language), facial expressions and eye contact, tactile communication, space and
territory, environment, paralanguage (vocal but non-linguistic cues), and the use of silence
and time."
Let's review these non-linguistic ways of exchanging messages in more detail.
Kinesics
Lamb believes the best way to access an executive's managerial potential is not to listen to
what he has to say, but to observe what he does when he is saying it. He calls this new
behavioral science "movement analysis." Some of the movements and gestures he has
analyzed follow:
Forward and Backward Movements. If you extend a hand straight forward during an
interview or tend to lean forward, Lamb considers you to be an "operator"- good for an
organization requiring an infusion of energy or dramatic change of course.
Vertical Movements. If you tend to draw yourself up to your tallest during the handshake,
Lamb considers you to be a "presenter." You are a master at selling yourself or the
organization in which you are employed.
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Side-to-Side Movements. If you take a lot of space while talking by moving your arms about,
you are a good informer and good listener. You are best suited for an organization seeking a
better sense of direction. Lamb believes there is a relationship between positioning of the
body and movements of the limbs and facial expressions. He has observed harmony between
the two. On the other hand, if certain gestures are rehearsed, such as those made to impress
others, there is a tendency to separate the posture and the movements. The harmony
disappears.
Studies by Lamb also indicate that communication comes about through our degree of body
flexibility. If you begin a movement with considerable force and then decelerate, you are
considered a "gentle-touch." By contrast, if you are a "pressurizer," you are firm from
beginning to end. The accuracy of Lamb's analyses is not fully known. However, it is
important that corporation executives are becoming so sensitive to the importance of non-
verbal messages that they are hiring consultants, such as Lamb, to analyze non-verbal
communications in their organizations.
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions usually communicate emotions. The expressions tell the attitudes of the
communicator. Researchers have discovered that certain facial areas reveal our emotional
state better than others. For example, the eyes tend to reveal happiness or sadness, and even
surprise. The lower face also can reveal happiness or surprise; the smile, for example, can
communicate friendliness and cooperation. The lower face, brows, and forehead can also
reveal anger. Mehrabian believes verbal cues provide 7 percent of the meaning of the
message; vocal cues, 38 percent; and facial expressions, 55 percent. This means that, as the
receiver of a message, you can rely heavily on the facial expressions of the sender because
his expressions are a better indicator of the meaning behind the message than his words.
Eye Contact
Eye contact is a direct and powerful form of non-verbal communication. The superior in the
organization generally maintains eye contact longer than the subordinate. The direct stare of
the sender of the message conveys candor and openness. It elicits a feeling of trust.
Downward glances are generally associated with modesty. Eyes rolled upward are associated
with fatigue.
Tactile Communication
Communication through touch is obviously non-verbal. Used properly it can create a more
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direct message than dozens of words; used improperly it can build barriers and cause
mistrust. You can easily invade someone's space through this type of communication. If it is
used reciprocally, it indicates solidarity; if not used reciprocally, it tends to indicate
differences in status. Touch not only facilitates the sending of the message, but the emotional
impact of the message as well.
Personal Space
Personal space is your "bubble" - the space you place between yourself and others. This
invisible boundary becomes apparent only when someone bumps or tries to enter your
bubble.
How you identify your personal space and use the environment in which you find yourself
influences your ability to send or receive messages. How close do you stand to the one with
whom you are communicating ? Where do you sit in the room ? How do you position
yourself with respect to others at a meeting ? All of these things affect your level of comfort,
and the level of comfort of those receiving your message.
Goldhaber says there are three basic principles that summarize the use of personal space in an
organization: The higher your position (status) in the organization,
(a) the more and better space you will have,
(b) the better protected your territory will be, and
(c) the easier it will be to invade the territory of lower-status personnel.
The impact of use of space on the communication process is related directly to the
environment in which the space is maintained.
Q3. which types of listening would be required the most at the workplace? Explain with
suitable examples.
Ans. Effectively listening in the workplace is a form of non-verbal communication. Clichéd,
as it may sound, silence speaks more than words. When you make a conscious decision to
listen to somebody, you do it with full, undivided attention. Your complete attention and
concentration, towards the speaker's subject, communicates your concern to the speaker. In
this way, effectively listening in the workplace, serves as a non-verbal communication tool.
Corporate organizations are demanding and challenging. Most of us cope up with the
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pressures, however, it is always a listening ear, that provides us with motivation, care and
concern to carry on. Read more about employee motivation.
Developing effective listening in the workplace through effective listening activities, is a way
of fortifying emotional intelligence at work. This works with the logic of 'a friend in need, is
a friend indeed'. If your employees can establish strong relations with each other, it's going to
benefit your organization. Those of you, who think that your employees may conspire if they
mingle too much, then let me tell you, boss, you are wrong!! Hearing out one another,
working together, sharing load, being a helping hand and walking the extra mile, will go a
long way in making your organization successful. Read more on emotional intelligence.
There are many factors to effective listening strategies. However, focusing with clarity is the
important of all. I hope these effects of effective listening in the workplace and effective
listening techniques, help you in building a reliable workforce.
Work days are longer, the pace of life is faster, and there's an endless contest for our
attention. In an environment full of deadlines, cell phones, e-mail and other distractions,
focusing long enough to listen to another human being can be a challenge.
But in a tight labor market, you can't afford to alienate the people you spent so much time and
money to hire. Employees are more willing to share their ideas if they know you're really
listening. Being a good listener not only helps boost morale but also helps you learn more
about what motivates your staff and how you can get the best work from them.
Active listening prevents miscommunication, improves customer service and increases your
effectiveness as a leader. "Bosses, in particular, find power in effective listening," says Jamie
Martindale, a psychology professor with the ITT Tech Institute in Indianapolis. "You don't
need to give in as much on projects, parameters, deadlines and so forth when employees feel
you understand them."
The secret lies in using the Chinese characters that make up the verb "to listen": ears, eyes,
undivided attention and heart.
Example
Indiana's Chief Deputy Building Commissioner Bill Franklin has a reputation for being an
excellent listener. When the writer for this article contacted the building commissioner's
department, she didn't have a contact name to request, only the description "a manager who
implemented better listening skills." The receptionist immediately said, "You must mean Bill
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Franklin. He's the best listener I've ever worked with."
Franklin started developing his listening skills when a manager from the elevator and
amusement safety division came to his office at wit's end. He requested Franklin to facilitate
a team within his division because "they just don't listen to me."
To do this, Franklin decided to become a better listener himself. So he attended an eight-hour
training course that emphasized reflective listening, and returned to his offices to set an
example.
The results show on several fronts. One noteworthy example: In 1999 after four years of
absorbing an active listening culture, a division team was given 40 days to conduct a plan
review. The employees accomplished the task in seven days.
From Franklin's point of view, understanding employees' latent feelings means his staff now
spends extra time working to understand the core issues before striving to solve problems.
Once they are able to hear each other's positions, they can better formulate solutions that meet
the needs of the team.
Q.4 Imagine that you have to make a presentation on your MBA project to a group of
your professors and industry experts. Prepare the following – a) A general statement of
purpose b) A specific statement of purpose c) The key idea d) A brief audience analysis
e) Delivery style.
Ans. Whatever planning tool an entrepreneur uses, it must as a minimum reflect the way in
which entrepreneurs develop and exploit opportunities (effectual approach). This means that
the planning process should build momentium towards launch and not bog it down in the
details that are more important later in the enterprise development.
Entrepreneurs want a planning tool that helps them create, conceptualize and clarify the idea
for themselves firstly so that they can then passionately communicate it to key stakeholders.
The planning should be less about controlling existing worlds and more about creating new
ones. It needs to accommodate the entrepreneur's ambiguity, sixth-sense and hunches with a
work towards goals and objectives at a much later time in the process. It must enhance the
entrepreneur's win-win story. The plan should be directed to the critical factors of success and
be strategic rather than operational in focus. It should be detailed on the things that matter
(steps to launch & plans to sustainability) whilst applying a broad brush to most everything
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else. It must believe that recourses are more likely to follow a great team with an ordinary
idea than a great idea with an ordinary team.
a) A general Statement of Purpose: I want to be research marketing and an academic for
sales industry. I would like to specialize in formal methods and various steps. For these
reasons, I would like to get a MBA in one of these fields. Formal Methods Research
Experience: Because I want to get my MBA in formal verification, I have spent the last two
years doing projects and research, and expanding my knowledge through seminars and book
club meetings on this subject. I carried out this work under the supervision of Prof. Sudar
Shrivastava, and as a member of his research team. As a result, I have extensive exposure to
and hands-on experience in formal methods.
b) A specific Statement of the purpose: The main specific statement of the purpose behind
this project report is to believe in myself and in what I thought is good for the company. I will
take a pro-active approach with the initiative approach and play a leadership role in
motivating people and executing the project to completion. A good manager is one who can
figure out where the problem lies, deal with it effectively by involving all the members of the
company and improve the overall culture of the company. The fact that I would be able to
pull off this task alone has boosted my confidence in my abilities.
C) The Key Idea: it's difficult to start describing things in a structured, top-to-bottom,
complete way from the beginning, unless it’s a small project or you are a genius. Picasso
once said I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else.
I will begin with explanation of general idea, business model, inspirational graphic concept,
description of some behavior requirements, pages of website or interfaces of software product
or even defining some domain-specific entities. The way in which it’s easier to start depends
on the project and information available, or on the way of thinking of people engaged in the
process. In any case the key idea is to begin moving in an easy way without creating huge,
detailed things which are expected to be final from the beginning, but rather starting with any
known elements and reshaping or changing them as the time goes, to finally get smooth,
clear, structured, sufficient and up-to-date documentation.
d) A brief audience analysis: Evaluation of financial results might include a break-even
analysis of each campaign. A market share analysis (before and after) would serve to
document marketing success. Client satisfaction surveys will help in evaluating the quality of
products and services. Input from associates, perhaps through an advisory board, could
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provide valuable insight to help improve quality and efficiency. Systems should be developed
to monitor the success of the plan and determine if modifications are necessary. Such systems
include methods of measuring and evaluating results and obtaining feedback from clients and
employees. Too often marketing campaigns are blindly repeated year-after-year without any
idea as to whether or not they have worked. Don't fall into that trap. A written analysis will
help you to clarify your company's situation and develop appropriate strategies. A good
method is a "S.W.O.T." analysis to identify your company's Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats. The SWOT method can be viewed as a matrix as shown below.
Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors. Opportunities and threats are external factors.
Obviously, we have more control over internal factors than external factors. Yet we must be
aware of the external factors in order to develop effective strategies. A sample outline of a
situational analysis for a tax preparation firm appears below. Strengths can usually be
translated into opportunities. Opportunities to eliminate or counter weaknesses also exist.
Weaknesses and threats can sometimes be turned into opportunities. Each item listed should
be explained in writing for the benefit of all interested parties.
e) Delivery Style: An oral presentation consisting of 15-20 PowerPoints that details the new
venture's business model - i.e the opportunity and the plans to exploite it. An entrepreneurial
prospectus that provides the key details relating to the venture - including sections on
preliminaries, the opportunity, the concept outline, the business model, an executive
summary, launch action plans with an accompanying deal sheet if required. 20+ start-point
worksheeets that analyise, clarify and inform the two presentations detailed above. These
worksheets should follow the entrepreneurial development thinking being - Need - Idea -
Opportunity - Business Concept - Business Model - Entrepreneurial Strategic Action Plan.
These worksheets are only for internal use but will prove handy as external stakeholders
probe for analysis and answers. (interrogate)
Q5. In your opinion, does the success of a meeting depend more on the chairperson or
the participants? Justify your answer.
Ans. The success of every meeting depends on the co-operation and support the chairperson
receives from the participants. The chairperson should thus be fully aware of people's
attitudes to meetings. Meetings are an everyday occurrence at schools. List the reasons why
you think some people regard meetings as a waste of time. The Chairperson is responsible for
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ensuring that meetings are run effectively and efficiently. The chair must consider both the
task functions of the group, i.e., the actions and decisions that are critical to achieve, and the
maintenance functions – the relationships, welfare and harmony of the group. Both functions
are important and will affect the organization’s success. The chair has the lead role in
planning, preparing, implementing and evaluating meetings and is responsible for starting
and ending on time and involving members in the decisions and discussions
Amongst the many reasons people have for not liking meetings, the following have been
found to be the most common:
Poor leadership: The leader does not keep the discussion on the subject and so fails to keep
things moving in the appropriate direction and to engage in those aspects of the discussion
that are stimulating and motivating to the members.
Goals are unclear: Members are not really sure what they are trying to accomplish.
Lack of commitment: Assignments are not taken seriously by committee members.
No clear focus: For example, 'What are we supposed to be doing today?'
Recommendations ignored: Management needs to be responsive to the recommendations of a
committee.
Inconclusive discussion: Problems are discussed but no conclusions are reached or decisions
made.
Lack of follow-through: Members are not given assignments.
Domination: Often one person or clique dominates a meeting, talking and pushing for their
positions while others wonder why they are there.
Lack of preparation: The agenda is not prepared and materials that really need to be there are
not available. Someone has not done his or her homework.
Hidden agendas: Some participants may have personal axes to grind, promoting discussions
that only they think are important.
Q6. How do memos differ from other written communication channels? Give examples
of two business situations that would require either an informational or a persuasive
memo.
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Ans. A Memo is for inner communication. You would send a memo to your work colegues or
fellow students/professors from the same school. A memorandum or memo is a document or
other communication that aids the memory by recording events or observations on a topic,
such as may be used in a business office. The plural form is either memoranda or
memorandums. A memorandum may have any format, or it may have a format specific to an
office or institution. In law specifically, a memorandum is a record of the terms of a
transaction or contract, such as a policy memo, memorandum of understanding,
memorandum of agreement, or memorandum of association. Alternative formats include
memos, briefing notes, reports, letters or binders. They could be one page long or many. If
the user is a cabinet minister or a senior executive, the format might be rigidly defined and
limited to one or two pages. If the user is a colleague, the format is usually much more
flexible. At its most basic level, a memorandum can be a handwritten note to one's
supervisor.
As the communication mechanism of the policy analysis process, the briefing note should
provide a coherent synopsis of a policy problem, identify different policy options for
addressing the problem, articulate opposing perspectives and advocate a recommended
option. The typical structure for a briefing note includes: a description of the proposed policy;
relevant background information; a discussion of key considerations (including
implementation concerns, financial considerations, stakeholder impacts, and possible
unanticipated consequences), a summary of arguments for and against the policy and a
recommended decision. There is no universal standard for a briefing note, but it is generally
understood to be a concise, coherent summary of a public policy problem with a clearly
articulated logic for following a recommended course of action. ”Next to a political nose, and
a logical brain, the most important skill of the good treasury [person] resides in [their] fine
drafting hand. The concise, coherent and penetrating note is the final expression of all other
talents.”
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MB0039– Business Communication
Assignment Set- 2
Q1. What are some of the relative advantages and disadvantages of email, as compared
to other written communication channels? Suggest two ways to overcome the
disadvantages of email communication.
Ans. The abbreviated form of an Electronic mail is 'E-mail'. E-mail is a system of creating,
sending and storing textual data in digital form over a network. Earlier, the e-mail system was
based on Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) mechanism, a protocol used in sending the
e-mails from one server to another. Today's e-mail technology uses the store-and-forward
model. In this model, the users sends and receives information on their own computer
terminal. However, the computer is used only for connecting to the e-mail architecture. The
creation, transmission and storage of e-mail takes place, only when the connection with this
e-mail architecture is established.
E-mail is one of the many technological developments that has influenced our lives. It has
changed the medium of communication. So, it becomes necessary for us to check out the
benefits and harmful effects of this popular tool used on the Internet.
Advantages of Email
The benefits of e-mail are huge in number.
Easy to use: E-mail frees us from the tedious task of managing data of daily use. It helps us to
manage our contacts, send mails quickly, maintain our mail history, store the required
information, etc.
Speed: The e-mail is delivered instantly, anywhere across the globe. No other service
matches the e-mail in terms of speed.
Easy to prioritize: Since the mails have subject lines, it is easy to prioritize them and ignore
unwanted mails.
Reliable and secure: Constant efforts are being taken to improve the security in electronic
mails. Thus making it one of the secured ways of communication.
Informal and conversational: The language used in e-mails is generally simple and thus
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makes the communication informal. Sending and receiving e-mails takes less time, so it can
be used as a tool for interaction.
Easier for reference: When one needs to reply to a mail, there is a provision in the mailing
system to attach the previous mails as references. This refreshes the recipient's knowledge, on
what he is reading.
Automated e-mails: It is possible to send automated e-mails using special programs like the
auto responders. The auto responders reply back to the sender with generalized pre-written
text messages.
Environment friendly: Postal mails use paper as a medium to send letters. Electronic mail
thus, saves a lot of trees from being axed. It also saves fuel needed in transportation.
Use of graphics: Colorful greeting cards and interesting pictures can be sent through e-mails.
This adds value to the e-mail service.
Advertising tool: Many individuals and companies are using e-mails to advertise their
products, services, etc.
Disadvantages of Email
The e-mails, though beneficial in our day-to-day life, has got its own drawbacks that are
offlate coming to the fore.
Viruses: These are computer programs having the potential to harm a computer system.
These programs copy themselves and further infect the computer. The recipient needs to scan
the mails, as viruses are transmitted through them and have the potential to harm computer
systems.
Spam: E-mails when used to send unsolicited messages and unwanted advertisements create
nuisance and is termed as Spam. Checking and deleting these unwanted mails can
unnecessarily consume a lot of time, and it has become necessary to block or filter the
unwanted e-mails by means of spam filters. Spamming includes, sending hoax e-mails. E-
mail spoofing is another common practice, used for spamming. Spoofing involves deceiving
the recipient by altering the e-mail headers or the addresses from which the mail is sent.
Hacking: The act of breaking into computer security is termed as hacking. After the e-mail is
sent and before it is received by the desired recipient, it "bounces" between servers located in
different parts of the world. Hence, the e-mail can be hacked by a professional hacker.
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Misinterpretation: One has to be careful while posting any kind of content through an e-mail.
If typed in a hurry, the matter could be misinterpreted.
Lengthy mails: If the mail is too long and not properly presented the reader may lose interest
in reading it.
Not suitable for business: Since the content posted via e-mails is considered informal, there is
a chance of business documents going unnoticed. Thus, urgent transactions and especially
those requiring signatures are not managed through e-mails.
Crowded inbox: Over a period of time, the e-mail inbox may get crowded with mails. It
becomes difficult for the user to manage such a huge chunk of mails.
Need to check the inbox regularly: In order to be updated, one has to check his e-mail
account regularly.
Every new technology enters the social world with its share of benefits and drawbacks.
Different people interpret and utilize it in different ways. In order to make the most of the
available technology, users should try to understand both, the positive and negative sides of
the tool they use. No technology can be totally perfect!
Q.2 Imagine that you are the Marketing Manager of a multinational FMCG
company. Write a job rejection letter to a prospective candidate in the appropriate
format, explaining why he/she was not selected for a Management Trainee position with
the company.
Ans. Mr. Manish Agarwal
123, Gurmukh Appt.
Ravi Vihar
New Delhi, India
Dear Mr. Manish
Thank you for the time and effort you spent applying for a position as management trainee. I
would appreciate your time and effort but unfortunately, your education criteria do not match
with our criteria for the position of management trainee. Although, our HR manager seem so
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impress with your interview performance but our company is looking a management trainee
who has already completed his/her MBA in Marketing management but you still pursuing
MBA from Technia institute in different stream (HR). So we are unable to appoint you as
management trainee in our company. Whenever my company will search any HR trainee, we
will be happy to contact you in future.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Harish Gupta
HR Manager
Q.3 Select and briefly describe two corporate ads that you have seen recently which you
feel are effective. Explain how they benefit the company.
Ans. Advertisement 1
Kinetic Blaze Introductory Advertisement
The Blaze is part of Kinetic's Italiano series of scooters, comprises seven bestselling true-blue
European scooter designs that Kinetic bought from Italian manufacturer Italjet. With its
aggressive and glamorous Italian design, generous proportions and majestic presence, the
very special Blaze makes an instant celebrity of its rider. The high-spec Blaze also has ample
go to match the show – with a powerful 165cc, 4 valve engine that pumps out 11.6 bhp,
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coupled with automatic transmission.
Kinetic Blaze was launched in 2006. The following is an analysis of the introductory
advertisement.
In this advertisement, a group of girls are seen going crazy in front of a house. A guy seeing
the crowd of girls asks a nearby shopkeeper if Abhishek or John were around. The
shopkeeper says it is Rohit Verma. He has Kinetic’s latest scooter and this is the source of all
the commotion.
This advertisement is clearly targeted towards the youth. Not only are the models used in the
age group of 20-30, the entire look and feel of the advertisement is young and “hep”. This
commercial scores on some points while it fails at others.
First of all, the advertisement develops attention and generates interest. Viewers are kept in
the dark as to the source of the commotion. Interest is heightened when the shopkeeper
answers in the negative to the names of celebrities. When the name “Rohit Verma” is
mentioned, viewers are all ears (and eyes) to find out more about him.
The presentation of the product, in this case the scooter, is also well done. It looks glamorous,
and the difference in size and shape are also highlighted without words, heightening the
impact. The product and the brand are not lost in the advertisement, and viewers not only
identify the product, but also remember it.
Its market targeting and brand positioning are clearly defined. The target is the middle
income male youth. It is positioned as a scooter for men and the first in ushering in a new
market segment for scooters with its innovative design and target market.
However, the advertisement itself fails to generate a desire for more information or for
purchase. This desire is evoked by the fact that the scooter is new and innovative. If the same
advertisement was broadcast for a scooter that had already been launched in the market, it
would not have done well. So, in a way, this advertisement works for the product since it is
new, but considered solely from the advertising point of view, it does not make a big impact.
The advertisement also fails to answer some of the basic questions that consumers have while
watching the commercial. What sets this scooter apart from the other scooters in the market?
It is obvious that the look and feel of the scooter is definitely innovative. However, all new
products sport a new appearance, in fact, it is imperative that they do so. So in terms of
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performance, how does it differ? What is its USP? Why should the consumer choose to buy
this product, when he can be sure of the performance of tried-and-tested scooters?
From the advertising point of view, the commercial lacks originality and creativity. Showing
a crowd of screaming girls to enhance the psychological value of a product is not new. Many
advertisements for motorbikes, furniture, cars etc., showcase models to give the product an
“oomph” factor and increase its appeal. Also, from a logical standpoint, why would the girls
favour a guy based only on the fact that he has this scooter? How does it award him star
status?
The advertising message is vague and unappealing. It is understood that the product is being
positioned as “your Shortcut To Fame”. But, how? Most motorbike advertisements try to
project their product as one that will give the owner an edge with the ladies. The
advertisement says much, but tells little.
Advertisement 2
Gillette’s “Champions” Advertisement
Gillette is a brand of Procter & Gamble currently used for safety razors among other personal
hygiene products. It is one of several brands originally owned by The Gillette Company, a
leading global supplier of products under various brands, which was acquired by P&G in
2005.
The Gillette Fusion is a five-bladed razor released in 2006. There are two different versions
of the Fusion available: the Gillette Fusion, and the Gillette Fusion Power. All share the
characteristic five blades on the front, and a single sixth blade on the rear that acts as a
"precision trimmer". In addition, the Fusion Power is battery powered and emits "gentle
micro pulses" that are claimed to increase razor glide.
With the release of Gillette Fusion, P&G also launched their new advertising campaign called
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“Gillette Champions”. The following is an analysis of the first advertisement broadcast in this
series.
This advertisement features the Gillette champions -- Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry and Roger
Federer. The commercial is called “Today” and all the three Champions explain how
important it is in their professional and personal lives to ‘Be Your Best Today’.
The advertising campaign exploits the influencing power of brand ambassadors. The Gillette
‘Champions’ are Roger Federer (No.1 Tennis Player), Thierry Henry (No.1 Football Player)
and Tiger Woods (No.1 Golfer). The Indian campaign is varied to include Rahul Dravid to
cater to Indian sensibilities.
The advertisers try to use the concept of transference or association to enhance the image of
their product and brand. The attributes of quality, performance and excellence exuded by
these personalities are projected onto the product and the brand. This builds brand image and
a favourable attitude towards the new product.
A sense of polish and “class” underscores the entire advertisement. It plays on the viewers’
“feel-good” sensations. The advertisement comes across as smooth and urbane.
However, it does feel as if the advertisers are trying to hard by roping in three (or four) brand
ambassadors. Most advertisers feel that having celebrities or stars advertise their product
influences the consumers more than an advertisement that does not feature them. But, there is
something called too much stress on the influence of brand ambassadors.
There seems to be little relevance amongst the slogan, the advertisement and the product.
Gillette may be the best a man can get, but how does that help the ‘Champions’ in their
respective sports? Form a logical standpoint, how does the new razor blade assist the players?
The audio of the advertisement bears little or no relevance to the advertising message. The
advertisement talks about focusing on the present, but says nothing about the new blade.
Nevertheless, overall, the advertisement comes across as suave. The brand image of Gillette
is maintained and even enhanced by this advertisement. The advertisement succeeds in
generating a desire and action to purchase in spite of the drawbacks of the advertisement.
Q4. List and explain five important principles of business report writing.
Ans. Managers and leaders must express their ideas clearly, concisely, and completely when
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speaking and writing. If your written messages aren't clear or lack important details, people
will be confused and will not know how to respond. In addition, if your written messages are
too lengthy, people simply don't read them.
The process of good writing involves three basic steps - preparing, writing, and editing.
Practicing the following 16 principles will help you be a more effective writer.
1. Know your objective
Think before you write. What's your goal? Make sure you fully understand the assignment.
Are you writing a one-paragraph executive summary or a five-page report? Try answering
this question: What specifically do I want the reader to know, think, or do?
2. Make a list
Write down the ideas or points you want to cover. Why? This helps you get started in
identifying the key ideas you want to discuss.
If you have trouble getting started, try discussing your ideas with someone else. "Kicking an
idea around" often helps you clarify your objective and fine-tune what you are trying to
accomplish.
3. Organize your ideas
Just as it's difficult to find what you want in a messy, disorganized desk drawer, it's hard to
find important ideas in a poorly organized message. Here are a few ways you can organize
your ideas:
Importance
- Begin with the most important piece of information and then move on to the next most
important.
Chronological order - Describe what happened first, second, third.
Problem-Solution - Define the problem, then describe possible alternatives or the solution
you recommend.
Question-Answer - State a question and then provide your answer.
Organize your ideas so the reader can easily follow your argument or the point you are trying
to get across.
4. Back it up
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Have an opinion but back it up - support with data. There are a number of ways you can
support your ideas, including explanations, examples, facts, personal experiences, stories,
statistics, and quotations. It's best to use a combination of approaches to develop and support
your ideas.
5. Separate main ideas
Each paragraph should have one main point or idea captured in a topic sentence. The topic
sentence is normally the first sentence in the paragraph. Each paragraph should be started by
an indentation or by skipping a line.
Q.5 As a recent MBA graduate from Sikkim Manipal University, write your resume
with a specific career objective, including all the other standard components.
Ans.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Vikas Choudhary
3129, vijay nagar agar, Delhi-
110002
mail: [email protected]
Objective: to build career in the field of management industry and observe own
identity in specific field.
Experience: Currently working marmeting mangger for TPH publishing
house.
Academic Course
Completed MBA in HR from Sikkim Manipal University, Sikkim,
Completed B.A. Hons (History) from Satyawat Co-ed College
(morning), Delhi University with second division in 1999-2002.
Completed higher secondary from Central Board of Secondary
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Education (C.B.S.E), New Delhi in 1999.
Completed Senior Secondary Certificate from Central Board of
Secondary Education (C.B.S.E), New Delhi in 1997.
Other skills: Computer Literate
Bilingual Typing (Hindi and English)
Completely familiar with Internet
Personal Detail:
Father’s name: Shri Anuj Choudhar
Date of Birth: 12th April 1985
Marital Status: Single
Nationality: Indian
Languages Known: Hindi and English
Declaration: I do hereby declare that the statements made in this resume are true,
complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I
understand and agree that in the event of any information being found
false or incorrect or incomplete or ineligibility being detected at any
time before or after selection/interview, my candidature is liable to be
rejected.
Date: / / 2010
Place: New Delhi
Q6. Prepare a list of ten questions to ask during a job interview, in order to make the
interview a two way process and to show that you are interested in the company and the
job you are applying for.
Ans. As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "What
can I answer for you?" Have interview questions of your own ready to ask. You aren't simply
trying to get this job - you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company
and the position are a good fit for you. When interviewing job applicants, I often learn as
much from the questions they ask as from the responses they give," said John Langland,
president of Langland & Langland Consulting. "What potential employees inquire about
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reveals what they deem important -- as opposed to merely answering my questions with
information they think I will find important."
What can asking questions in an interview do for you?
Show your interest in the position and the company
Give you an active role in the interview
Offer explanations about the position and the company, which help you decide if you want to
work for that organization
Showcase the depth of your knowledge and help you guide the discussion into a particular
area of expertise
Langland suggests preparing at least three questions in advance and taking notes during the
interview to record the responses.
"A few insightful, knowledgeable questions can speak volumes about you and distinguish
you from other job candidates," he said. "However as important as asking questions is asking
bad questions, such as, 'How many vacation days does the company offer?' is worse."
Langland advises asking these 10 questions during your next interview:
1. What are the top three tasks you want the candidate to perform after being hired?
This gives you a concrete idea of the projects you will be working on if hired. Often job ads
list general qualities and capabilities the position requires, but the answer to this question will
lay out the actual specifics of the job.
2. Why did you choose this company?
The answer will help you determine the organization's strengths and weaknesses with this
insider's perspective.
3. How do you see me benefiting the company?
This tells you exactly what they're looking for in a candidate and where they see your
strengths.
4. Is there room for growth and advancement?
This points to your drive and initiative and underscores your intent to secure a career, not just
a job.
5. Are there opportunities for professional training or further education?
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This shows a willingness to learn and adapt as changes in the position or industry occur.
Adaptability is very important in today's fickle employment market and may make you very
valuable to the company should a reorganization occur.
6. How will I be evaluated and by whom?
This provides insight into the company's corporate culture and the department structure in
which you will be working.
7. What is the general culture of the company?
This can tell you if you will fit into the organization. If they're strictly a "suit and tie"
operation and you're all about comfort clothes, you may want to rethink the position.
8. Are there other job responsibilities not mentioned in the ad?
This reveals exactly what the ad meant when it said: "...and other duties as assigned." Will
you be helping other departments in a pinch? Making coffee? These are things you should
know before going any further in the candidate selection process.
9. When will you be making a decision on the successful candidate?
Knowing this helps you gauge when to follow up on the interview.
10. May I call you if other questions arise?
This keeps the door open for further communication.
The interview is an artful conversation designed to help both parties learn more about each
other in an effort to decide if the candidate and the position are a good match. Use it as an
opportunity to spotlight your accomplishments and determine if the job is right for you.
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