Business Communications Report

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the importance of oral communications within the workplace, as well as to identify the aspects and skills that are valued within the workplace. This report will also give recommendations to the problems it highlights. 1. 2. 3 Questions * Is oral communication really a problem among graduates in the workplace? * Which aspects of oral communication are valued more within the workplace? * Which oral communication skills are lacking in graduates within the workplace? * What solutions could we recommend to the NUS management? 1. 3 Scope The ability to express ideas convincingly should therefore be an aspect to be focused on. 3. 4 Need for Clarity of Content The findings have made obvious that clear content is of high priority within the workplace. This oral communication skill is needed because the content is the crux of the message being sent to others and it needs to be clear and concise to avoid confusion. As such this oral communication skill should be focused on. 3. 5 Need for Confidence in Oral Communications The importance of this skill has been noted in the findings. This communication skill complements the other conclusions, as confidence is something that is required for all aspects of oral communications. Clearly, confidence is a skill that should be focused on. 4. Recommendations Based on the conclusions made above, this report recommends changing the NUS curriculum to involve more opportunities to practice oral communications skills, as well as to introduce a public forum, providing chances for all students to speak publicly more. 4. 1 Change in NUS Curriculum This proposal involves a tweaking of all modules in NUS to accommodate even more usage of oral communications skills than at current levels. For example, module marks could be adjusted to allow for more emphasis on presentations or interaction with the lecturer and the class. This would not only allow students to practice their oral communications as a whole, but also improve on specific aspects and skills, like their confidence and clarity. It is noted that this proposal would be difficult to implement and would also take time to adjust to for the entire university. However, this strategy would help all NUS students to improve their oral communications skills greatly over their time in NUS as they are encouraged to work on their oral communications. Thus this would be a long term solution for the problems stated above. 4. 2 Creating Student Forums The Management should also consider utilizing a key aspect of education in NUS: student life. Through providing a forum for students to speak up, especially about issues that the students have passion for, they will get more practice at oral communications. They would also debate and discuss among themselves about such issues, further boosting their proficiency in key skills like being convincing in oral communications. This suggestion does have certain drawbacks, like difficulty in implementing instantly as students are not used to it. However, over time, and with proper promotion and support from student leaders, it could be a good avenue for students to air their views and practice their oral communications skills at the same time.