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Business Fundamentals

Effective Communication

Anna Calvi, Hilary Collins, Olivia Kelly, Elke StJohn, and Rob Tumilty

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is intended for anyone seeking to develop their fundamental business skills, whether to increase their employability or secure a promotion. The course does not require any previous study of communication. For further information about registration, the final assessment course, your eligibility and the BA in Business Management, visit the Open University website . If you are aiming to use your study of courses in the Business and Finance Fundamentals program to obtain academic credit, please be aware that the final planned presentation of the Open University Assessment Course BXM191 Business and Finance Fundamentals in Practice starts October 2020. Please ensure that you allow yourself enough time to obtain all eight Certificates of Achievement from courses in the program before registering for the Assessment Course. Details of runs of the relevant FutureLearn courses in 2019 and 2020 are available here .

Topics Covered

Making effective phone calls and writing emails
Online communication in a professional context
Delivering effective presentations
Writing professional reports and proposals
Conducting productive meetings
The future trends in professional communication

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Reviews summary

Essential business communication fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in effective business communication, making it particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance employability or secure a promotion. Students frequently praise the practical application of its content, highlighting how the course provides actionable strategies for daily work. While many find the lectures clear and concise and the overall structure beginner-friendly, some more experienced individuals noted it might be too basic. The course's coverage of topics like email etiquette, effective presentations, and productive meetings is consistently well-received, although occasional concerns about the recency of content, especially in 'future trends,' were mentioned.

Excellent starting point for those new to formal business communication.

"This course is absolutely perfect for someone just starting their career or looking to refresh basic communication skills."

"As a beginner in formal business settings, I found this course gave me a solid foundation and confidence."

"I had no previous study in communication, and this course effectively introduced all the fundamentals I needed."

"It's a great refresher for anyone who wants to brush up on their professional communication basics."

Well-structured modules make complex topics easy to understand.

"The course structure was very clear and the modules were broken down into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to follow."

"Everything was explained clearly without unnecessary jargon, which was perfect for my learning style."

"I found the material very digestible; the explanations were straightforward and to the point."

"The way the course is organized really helped me build my understanding step by step."

Provides actionable strategies for real-world business communication.

"I found the content incredibly practical; I could immediately apply the strategies to my work emails and team meetings."

"The course provided me with actionable insights into delivering effective presentations, which was a huge confidence booster."

"I particularly appreciated the focus on real-life scenarios, making the concepts easy to grasp and implement right away."

"The practical examples helped solidify my understanding and made the learning experience much more relevant."

Some aspects, like 'future trends,' might feel slightly dated.

"The section on 'online communication in a professional context' felt a little behind the curve compared to current trends."

"I noticed some of the 'future trends' discussed seemed to already be common practice, indicating the content could use an update."

"While generally good, certain modules could benefit from being updated with more recent examples or technologies."

Experienced professionals may find the content too introductory.

"As an experienced professional, I found much of the content to be review and wished for more advanced strategies."

"While well-presented, the course felt a bit too foundational for someone who has been in the business world for years."

"I was hoping for more in-depth exploration of nuanced communication challenges, but it stayed at a basic level."

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Learners who complete Business Fundamentals: Effective Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Fundamentals: Effective Communication.

Talk Like TED

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Provides a step-by-step method for delivering engaging and memorable presentations, drawing lessons from successful TED speakers. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding of what makes a presentation effective and is suitable for all levels, from high school to working professionals. It serves as a great starting point for understanding the core principles of impactful public speaking.

Business Fundamentals

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Essential business communication fundamentals

Career center

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