Course: Business Communication

SOLUTIONS OF INTERNAL ASSIGNMENT

(JUNE 2024 EXAMINATION)

1. Effective communication across cultures is an important aspect of global business

environment. John’s new assignment as business head in Hyderabad presents an exciting
yet a challenging opportunity to engage with diverse group of people which include
customers and potential distributors. As he gears up for formal presentations to the
customers and semi formal meetings with potential distributors, challenges concerning the
language barriers and difference in his accent are bound to arise. The essence of
overcoming such challenges lies not just in the spoken word but in understanding and
adapting to the cultural nuances that influence communication. To navigate through this
sea of challenges, John will need to employ certain strategies that go beyond mere
language proficiency, embracing cultural insights, concise articulation, and active listening.
Such strategies are illustrated below in detail which will enable John to establish effective
communication and build a rapport with the mix group of audience.
a) Embrace cultural empathy: Understanding local customs, norms, values, and
etiquette is crucial for effective communication. John should devote some time in
understanding the local customs and traditions which will help him to embrace the
cultural of the region. This will go a long way in building trust and rapport with the
audience.
b) Language and communication style: While English language is widely used in Indian
business settings, it may not the first language for many non-native speakers. So, in a
mixed group, John should try to speak slowly and clearly without using slangs, jargons,
idioms, and complex language which may be difficult for non-native speakers to
understand. If someone is having difficulty in understanding, John must rephrase the
sentence so that the intended message is conveyed to the person. He must also be
mindful of the non-verbal cues such as body language, gestures, and facial expressions
which varies from culture to culture. For example, in Japan, rubbing of the neck or raising
eyebrows may indicate disagreement.
c) Use of visual aids: Visuals may be worth thousands of words as compared to text or
spoken words when it comes to communication of ideas. In case of formal presentations,
use of visual aids such as charts, diagrams, figures, graphs etc. can help John bridge
the language barrier and convey the intended message effectively. John may employ
visuals in his presentations with the customers to convey his message effectively.
d) Practice active listening: John should focus on listening responses and feedback
actively which involve giving full attention to understand the message of the audience.
Active listening demonstrates respect and understanding for the audience, and will help
John to adjust the communication based on the reaction and response received.
e) Develop emotional intelligence: Awareness of own’s and others’ emotions help
enhance communication. John must focus on developing emotional empathy to connect
with the audience by understanding their emotions and feelings. By showing empathy,
John can avoid misunderstanding and show collegiality.
f) Open-mindedness and flexible approach: An open mind and flexible approach
towards the audience will help John to understand the cultural nuances. This will help
John in adjusting the communication style needed to communicate with the mixed group
of audience.
g) Using Professional interpreter: Professional interpretation services translate a
foreign language into desired language and offer clear communication. If John is unable
to overcome language barriers even after putting whole hearted efforts he may as well
hire the professional interpretation services in his key meetings to ensure clear
communication with his mixed group of audience.
h) Patience and humour: Patience is crucial when we deal with communication gaps and
misunderstanding. A light hearted approach with humour can help ease tension during
communication. However, he must be mindful of such humour which may be offensive
to someone in his audience. John must exhibit such qualities during his interaction with
diverse group of people in India.
i) Continuous learning: Effective communication across cultures is a continuous learning
process. John must be open to continuous learning as he interacts with mixed group of
people and should continuously seek to improve his communication skills.
j) Seek Feedback: John must seek feedback from his audience after every meeting or
presentation to understand how his message was received across the audience. This
will help John in improving his communication and adjust his communication style to suit
the requirement.
Heading a business in a multicultural country like India could be a rewarding and
enriching experience for John who is moving to Hyderabad for his next assignment.
While this may be exciting but it comes with plethora of challenges with regards to
establishing effective communication across diverse cultures in Indian settings. India,
being a country inhabited by people belonging to diverse religion, tradition, cultures,
values, and customs, presents an opportunity for John to expand his horizons of
communication skills. Thus, by following the tips as elucidated above, John can enhance
his communication style in the face of diverse cultures and build strong relationships
with customers and potential distributors through effective communication in his new
role as business head in Hyderabad.

-----------------------------------------------end of solution of question no. 1--------------------------------------

2. In the dynamic realm of high-end jewellery design, where exclusivity meets elegance,
Taraasha Inc. has established a brand name for itself through its bespoke jewellery designs
customized for celebrity clientele. However, with the ever-evolving customer preferences
and expanding horizons of jewellery design present an opportunity of diversification for
Taraasha Inc. Malti, a visionary manager at Taraasha Inc. aims to exploit this opportunity
by introducing ready-to-wear jewellery sets and enhance brand awareness by participating
in high-end exhibition events. This strategic move will not only help Taraasha Inc. to
expand its customer base but will also help fortify its market position as a versatile and
ready-to-wear luxury brand.
To examine Malti’s business idea, her boss has asked Malti to submit a report. Knowing
that only report will not catch the attention of Taraasha Inc. management, Matli decides to
make this document more like a proposal. Certainly, Malti can create a document that
effectively combines the elements of both a report and a proposal. The skeleton of the draft
proposal document is presented here for more clarity:
o Title Page
 Typically includes the report or proposal title, name of the author(s), date of
submission etc.

o Executive Summary
 Begin with an executive summary outlining the purpose, methodology, and key
findings of the observations.

o Introduction
 Begin with a compelling introduction highlighting the opportunity in the market for
ready-to-wear sets and customized jewellery.
 Emphasize the potential for increased revenue and brand visibility through
participation in high-end exhibition events.
 Provide an overview of the current market trends, customer preferences, and the
company's strengths and weaknesses in the jewellery industry.
 Include data on the success of the company's current business model and its
limitations in meeting market demands.

o Market Research and Analysis

 Conduct a detailed analysis of the market potential for ready-to-wear jewellery sets
and customized pieces.
 Include insights on the demand for such products, competitor analysis, and potential
customer segments.
 Present findings from customer surveys, industry reports, and trend analysis to
support the proposal.
o Proposal
Business Strategy
 Outline the proposed strategies for developing and marketing ready-to-wear sets
and customized jewellery.
 Highlight the unique selling points and competitive advantages of Taraasha Inc.'s
products in the global market.
Operational Plan
 Detail the operational requirements for expanding the product line, including
production, inventory management, and distribution channels.
 Discuss the potential impact on existing operations and the measures to mitigate
any challenges.
Marketing and Promotion
 Present a comprehensive marketing plan for promoting the new product line and
participating in high-end exhibition events.
 Include strategies for targeting celebrity customers and leveraging social media and
influencer partnerships.

o Financial Projections
 Summarize the financial projections and ROI analysis of the current business.
 Provide financial projections for the proposed expansion, including estimated costs,
revenue forecasts, and potential return on investment.
 Include a cost-benefit analysis comparing the current business model with the
proposed expansion.
 Provide a clear proposal for the required investment and the expected timeline for
achieving profitability.

o Conclusion
 Summarize the key points of the proposal and reiterate the potential benefits of the
expansion.
 Encourage the management to consider the proposal and express readiness to
provide further details or clarifications.

o Appendixes
 Additional information such as research, supporting document etc. related to the
report or proposal which could not be included in the main text because it is too
lengthy or lacks direct relevance.
 Appendixes can be listed in the table of contents and can be referred to as
appropriate in the text.
By carefully structuring her document to include both analytical reporting and persuasive
proposal elements, Malti can effectively communicate her ideas and convince her boss of
the potential benefits for Taraasha Inc. The nuances of writing a report and a proposal in
 the suggested style can be put into use in drafting the document, Malti can cater to the
diverse readers of her proposal document. However. She needs to remember to keep the
tone professional and the content clear and concise in the proposal document.

-----------------------------------------end of solution of question no. 2--------------------------------------------

3(a) In the world of writing, the ability to develop ideas into coherent and compelling paragraphs
is equally important as having a strong command of language. Saanvi’s observation
regarding the teenage students’ good understanding of literature and linguistics, contrasted
with their need for refinement in development of idea in the writing process, underscores a
common challenge seen among teenage students. To address this, we explore five
essential techniques for developing paragraphs that can enhance clarity, depth, and
engagement in their writing.
Five Techniques for Developing Paragraphs
a) Illustration: Illustration explains abstract ideas by providing clear and concise
examples. Illustration is expressed in different ways- examples, tables, figures, graphs
etc. Providing examples is one of the easiest ways of developing a paragraph. This
helps the reader to understand a rather difficult and abstract topic.
Example: Some of the popular brand products are now exclusively available both on
amazon and flipkart. For example, Coway air purifiers are available with online
retailers-amazon and flipkart only.
b) Comparison or contrast: A comparison explains similarities whereas a contrast
shows differences. The writer uses comparison or contrast to develop the topic. The
writer uses this technique to explain an unfamiliar idea by comparing or contrasting it
to a familiar idea. Our decisions in day-to-day life are often based on comparison and
contrast. There are certain words that act as comparison or contrast markers: like,
unlike, as opposed to, however etc.
Example: Earth is a planet on which we humans live. Like all planets, the Earth also
revolve around the Sun and rotate on its axis. But there are other celestial objects that
revolve around the planets. Moon, in case of earth, revolves around the Earth once in
a month. However, the two worlds on Earth and Moon are quite different. The Earth
has lush and fertile land which supports millions of lives. On the other hand, the Moon
supports no life because its atmosphere contains no water and oxygen.
c) Cause and effect: The cause-and-effect technique is useful in explaining why
something happens. With this technique of paragraph writing, the writer scrutinizes the
causes for a particular event. Analysing the cause can be a quite complex task. In
some cases, there can be one or more causal connections between effects. Usually,
the topic determines whether there is one causal or several.
Example: Mountains and rocks are slowly worn away by the process called erosion.
This process takes thousand of years for the erosion. There are several forces causing
 erosion- strong winds wears away rocks in deserts; glaciers when melts carry away
rocks weighing in tons; running water wears away rocks in rivers.
d) Classification: This technique shows how a general idea can be broken down into
specific categories. This method can help discuss a seemingly unrelated information
in an organized and coherent manner in a paragraph.
Example: The main source of revenue for the government is taxation. Taxes are
contributions made by the citizens of the country to their government to govern their
country’s affairs. Broadly there are two types of taxes- direct taxes and indirect taxes.
Direct taxes are those taxes that individuals or firms pay directly to the government
such as income tax paid by individuals, corporate tax paid by firms. Indirect taxes are
those taxes that are paid on goods and services such as GST, VAT etc.
e) Problem and solution: In a problem and solution paragraph, the writer begins by
presenting a problem or issue and then discusses the possible solution of the problem.
Example: Selling handmade toys online is a challenge because customers are
accustomed to buying toys either from well-known brands which are heavily advertised
or from online retailer such as amazon. This challenge can be addressed by developing
an appealing website exclusively for handmade toys and selling the same at
competitive prices.

The techniques illustrated above are pivotal in transforming raw ideas into structured,
impactful paragraphs that resonate with readers. Each method can be used separately or
in combination with any of the others to express the idea of the writer. By employing these
techniques, Saanvi can help teenage students to develop ideas and put them coherently
into meaningful paragraphs.

-------------------------------------------end of solution of question no. 3(a)--------------------------------------

3(b) When a mobile user wishes to convey his/her message though a mobile device, he/she
needs to adhere to certain rules so that his/her intended message is conveyed properly to
the receiver of the message. When writing messages for mobile devices, it is important to
adapt to the content and layout for smaller mobile screens and the way users interact with
them.
Here are five techniques to consider for writing effective messages for mobile devices:
a) Linear Organization: Mobile devices generally have smaller screens and user is
required to pan around and zoom in and out to see all the elements of the readable text.
This makes reading slower for the readers and sometimes he/she gets disoriented and
cannot comprehend the core intention of the message. Also, readers inadvertently miss
out some information as some part of the message is always obscured on mobile
screen. Therefore, one should structure the content in a linear and logical flow. This
 helps users follow along without getting lost, especially on small screens where zooming
in and out can disrupt the reading experience.
b) Prioritize Information: Mobile device screens make it difficult for the readers to scan
and find the information most required by them. Therefore, it is important to place the
most important information at the beginning of the message. Mobile users often scan
content quickly, so using the inverted pyramid approach in which most important
information is revealed at the very beginning followed by layer-by-layer revelation.
c) Short and Focused Messages: Mobiles users are often reluctant or impatient to read
lengthy messages. So, keeping mobile messages concise and to the point helps in
effective communication. One must avoid lengthy explanations in the mobile text and
must get straight to the core message to seek most of the reader’s attention.
d) Short Subject Lines and Headings: Mobile devices are generally not capable to
display text or characters in a single line as the typical computer screen can. When
reading such text on mobile devices, either the text gets truncated or it gets wrapped
around in multiple lines which makes reading difficult for the mobile users. Therefore, it
is a good practice to use brief and descriptive subject lines and headings. The general
thumb rule is to keep subject lines and headings restricted to 25 characters.
e) Use Short Paragraphs: Generally shorter paragraphs are desirable and let readers
take micro breaks as they swipe through the text. Therefore, it is always desirable to
break up your content into short paragraphs. This makes the text less intimidating and
easier to read on a mobile device, where screen space is limited.
Unlike computer screens which provide ease of reading a message, mobile device screens
do not provide that kind of flexibility for reading messages with ease. However, if certain
techniques are followed for drafting messages for mobile devices, difficulty in reading the
messages on mobile devices can be overcome. By employing such techniques, Saanvi
can help the students craft compelling and impactful messages tailored for mobile devices
that are easy to read and understand, ensuring effective communication with the audience.
---------------------------------------------end of solution of question no. 3(b)--------------------------------------