Home / Non-Accredited / Communication & Business Writing / Business Communication Strategies: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Written (3 days)
Quick Look Course Summary:Business Communication Strategies: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Written (3 days)
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Length: 3 day(s)
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Price (at your venue): 1 Person R 14,997 EX VAT 3 Person R 11,205 EX VAT 10 Person R 8,120 EX VAT
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Certification Type:Non-Accredited
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Locations & Venues: Off-site or in-house. We train in all major city centres throughout South Africa.
Communication Strategies – self-paced online, 6 months’ access: R750 per learner (ex VAT); teams of 10 or more pay less.
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Business Communication Strategies: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Written (3 days)
Staff who communicate clearly in every form – in conversation, through their body language and in writing – with managers, colleagues and clients.
Communication at work happens in three ways at once: what people say, how they say it and what they put in writing. A weakness in any one of them costs time and goodwill – instructions misunderstood, customers put off by tone, emails that need three follow-ups, meetings with no record of what was agreed. This three-day business communication course builds all three, starting with oral communication skills.
Day one covers verbal communication: how communication works, the barriers in diverse workplaces, voice, listening, questioning and explaining clearly with the STAR structure, with managers, colleagues and customers. Day two covers non-verbal communication: reading and using posture, gestures, eye contact and facial expressions, personal space and cultural differences, and matching body language to words. Day three covers written communication: grammar and punctuation, clear paragraphs, emails, business letters, meeting agendas and minutes, short reports and proofreading.
Because it covers the full range, the course suits organisations that want one complete communication programme for a team rather than three separate courses. Delegates leave with effective communication skills for conversations, meetings and written work.
Watch a short introduction
Why this course
For your organisation
- One programme that covers spoken, non-verbal and written communication
- Clearer instructions, fewer misunderstandings and less rework
- A more professional impression on customers and stakeholders
- Meetings with clear agendas and accurate minutes
For your delegates
- Practical listening, questioning and speaking techniques
- Awareness of your own body language and tone
- Templates for emails, letters, agendas and minutes
- A personal plan covering all three forms of communication
What delegates will be able to do
- Choose the right method of communication for the purpose and the audience
- Identify and reduce barriers to communication, including language and culture
- Listen actively and use questions to clarify and confirm
- Explain situations clearly to managers, colleagues and customers
- Read and use body language, eye contact and personal space appropriately
- Match tone and body language to the spoken message
- Write clear, correct emails and business letters
- Prepare a meeting agenda and take accurate minutes
- Proofread written work before it is sent
Who should attend
Employees at all levels who deal with managers, colleagues, clients and other stakeholders every day; supervisors and team leaders who brief teams and report upwards; administrators who prepare agendas and take minutes; and organisations that want one complete communication programme for a team.
Course outline
Day 1 – Verbal communication
How business communication works
- The purposes of communication at work
- Communication models: sender, message, channel and feedback
- Choosing between face-to-face, phone, email and meetings
- Strengths and weaknesses of spoken communication
Barriers and blockers
- Language and cultural barriers in South African workplaces
- Time, place and remote working
- Common blockers: interrupting, assuming and judging
- Your personal impact on colleagues and clients
Voice and clarity
- Pitch, tone and speed
- Explaining clearly with STAR: situation, task, action, result
- Communicating upwards and with the people you manage
- Communicating with customers
Listening and questioning
- Listen first, then speak
- Active listening techniques
- Open, closed and probing questions
- Practice: a customer conversation
Constructive conversations
- Appreciative inquiry for problem-solving discussions
- Finding common ground
- I-messages for raising concerns
- Day one review
Day 2 – Non-verbal communication
The power of body language
- Why non-verbal signals matter at work
- When actions and words disagree
- Case study: first impressions with a client
Reading body language
- Head, hands, arms and legs
- Open and closed postures
- Eye contact
- Reading clusters, not single signals
Expressions and space
- Facial expressions and micro-expressions
- Personal space and proximity
- Differences between cultures and between individuals
- Body language on video calls
Body language in business
- Building trust and mirroring
- Common mistakes: slouching, fidgeting and sudden movements
- Signs of discomfort – and why they are not proof of dishonesty
- Matching your words to your movement
Practice and feedback
- Paired practice on workplace scenarios
- Observer feedback on non-verbal signals
- Setting personal improvement goals
Day 3 – Written communication
Words and sentences
- Common grammar, spelling and punctuation errors
- A personal quick-reference sheet
- Short sentences and active voice
- Organising a paragraph around one point
Emails
- Subject lines and clear requests
- Addressing, tone and sign-offs
- Abbreviations, acronyms and professional style
Business letters and short reports
- Business letter layout and formats
- Opening, body and close
- The structure of a short report
- Executive summaries
Meeting agendas and minutes
- The purpose of an agenda and who prepares it
- Ordering agenda items logically
- Types of minutes and what to record
- Writing clear, accurate minutes and action lists
- Distributing minutes and keeping the minute book
Proofreading and action plan
- A proofreading routine
- Peer review
- Personal communication action plan covering all three days
How it is delivered
Three days, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20. Workbook, writing templates and practice scenarios included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.
What our clients say
“Coaching sessions have been delivered on a consistent monthly basis throughout the engagement, with BOTI's facilitators demonstrating professionalism, flexibility in scheduling, and a strong ability to tailor coaching content to the individual development needs of our delegates.”
“The course was efficiently scheduled and planned around our timetable. We were impressed by the quality of training”
“The training was well executed and of a high quality … We would like to recommend BOTI for future trainings.”
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Frequently asked questions
Can you run this course at our offices?
Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa; we can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.
How many people can attend?
From one delegate to groups of about 20. The price per delegate drops as the group grows – see the price table, or ask us for a quote.
Is it accredited?
No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Can we book only part of the programme?
Yes – the shorter courses cover each part: Communication Strategies Training (1 day) for spoken communication, Body Language Basics (2 days) for non-verbal communication, and Business Writing Skills for Function and Purpose (1 day) for writing.
Does it cover meeting minutes in depth?
Day three includes agendas and minutes as one module. For a full course on running meetings and taking minutes, see Chairing a Meeting with Confidence & Keeping Good Minutes.
Can you run this course in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban?
Yes. We train on site at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and across South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online so a team spread over several offices can attend together.
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Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00. After hours, we reply on the next working day – or call 011 882 8853.