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lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI
KHOA KINH TẾ VÀ KINH DOANH QUỐC TẾ 🙣🙣🙣
GROUP DISCUSSION BUSINESS ENGLISH 2
TOPIC : COMMUNICATION
“ WHY COMMUNICATION MATTERS IN BUSINESS ?” Group 08 Class _ENTI341 251 1_ 27 Teacher DO DIEP LINH
Ha noi , 2025 1 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. 2
I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 2
II. PRIMARY CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... 4
2.1. The Foundations: Types and Channels of Communication .............................................. 4
2.2. The Core: Key Skills for Effective Communication ......................................................... 5
2.3. The Challenge: Barriers to Communication and Solutions .............................................. 6
2.4. The Practice: Communication in Business Scenarios ....................................................... 9
2.5. The Improvement: Improving Communication Strategies and Competence .................. 10
III. CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 12
MEETING MINUTES – GROUP 8 .......................................................................................... 13
PEER ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................... 13 I. INTRODUCTION
Communication can be simply defined as the process of sharing information in order
to achieve a common goal. In the field of business, communication is not only a daily 2 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
activity but also the foundation of all operations. It allows employees and managers to
coordinate tasks, build trust, and work more efficiently. Moreover, good communication
creates competitiveness, because companies that express their ideas clearly are more likely
to win customers and partners. This essay will first look at the different types and channels
of communication, then discuss the essential skills, common barriers and solutions,
practical applications in business, and finally, ways to improve communication competence. 3 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089 II. PRIMARY CONTENTS
2.1. The Foundations: Types and Channels of Communication
Communication in business can be divided into several types and channels, each of
which serves different purposes. To begin with, verbal communication is one of the oldest
and most direct forms. It includes face-to-face meetings, phone calls, or formal
presentations. The main advantage of verbal communication is immediacy: people can
exchange ideas quickly, ask questions, and receive instant feedback. For instance, a team
meeting allows members to clarify their tasks on the spot. However, verbal communication
may sometimes lack accuracy because spoken words are not always recorded or remembered clearly.
Secondly, written communication remains essential in the business world. Reports,
contracts, memos, and emails provide a permanent record of information that can be
referred to later. This type of communication is especially important in legal or financial
contexts where accuracy and evidence are required. The limitation, however, is that written
messages can be time-consuming to prepare and may be misunderstood if the language is not clear.
Apart from spoken and written words, non-verbal communication also plays a
powerful role. Body language, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice can strengthen
the message or sometimes even change its meaning. For example, a manager’s confident
posture may increase the persuasiveness of their presentation, while poor eye contact can
reduce trust. Visual aids such as graphs, charts, or slides also belong to this category, as they
help the audience understand complex data more easily.
In the modern workplace, digital channels have become dominant. Emails, instant
messaging, video calls, and collaborative platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom
allow employees to stay connected regardless of location. Social media is also widely used
for marketing and public relations, helping businesses reach a global audience at low cost.
Digital communication is fast, convenient, and suitable for remote teams. Nevertheless, it
also comes with challenges such as technical problems, information overload, and the risk
of misinterpretation due to lack of personal contact. 4 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
In short, each communication channel has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Choosing the right channel depends on the goal, the audience, and the situation. A good
communicator should therefore be flexible and able to switch between verbal, written,
nonverbal, and digital forms when necessary.
2.2. The Core: Key Skills for Effective Communication
Effective communication is the foundation for learning, teamwork, and successful
collaboration. A conversation is truly effective when the listener accurately understands the
speaker’s message, responds appropriately, and both parties feel heard and respected. To
achieve this, individuals need to develop several key communication skills. These skills not
only help convey information clearly but also build trust, foster cooperation, and reduce conflicts.
First and foremost is active listening, a skill that seems simple but requires great
focus. Active listening goes beyond just sitting quietly while someone talks; it involves
fully concentrating on the speaker, paying attention to both their words and emotions. An
attentive listener will nod, summarize key points, or ask clarifying questions, for example:
“So you’re suggesting we prioritize the marketing plan first, right?” This helps prevent
misunderstandings and keeps the team aligned. In group settings, even small
misinterpretations can impact the overall progress, making active listening essential.
Next is clear and concise expression. A well-structured message helps the listener
quickly grasp the main points and act accordingly. When speaking, information should
ideally follow a logical sequence: introduction, main content, and conclusion. The simpler
and more specific the language, the easier it is for others to understand. This removes
ambiguity and allows everyone to coordinate efficiently.
In a global context, cultural awareness is increasingly important. Each culture has its
own communication style: some value directness, while others prefer subtlety and
politeness. Without sensitivity, messages may be misunderstood or cause unintended
discomfort. For example, a blunt “No” may be normal in Western contexts but could feel
harsh to someone from certain Asian cultures. Effective communicators adapt their tone, 5 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
choice of words, and style to respect cultural differences, fostering comfortable and respectful exchanges.
Alongside speaking and listening, professional writing is equally crucial. In modern
work and academic environments, emails, reports, and proposals are primary ways to record
and share information. A well-written document should have a logical structure, clear
sentences, and professional formatting. Even a single unclear email can cause
misunderstandings or delays. For example, an effective email should start with a polite
greeting, state the main point in the opening lines, provide details, and conclude with a clear
request or next step: “Please send the report by Monday so we can prepare the
presentation.” This ensures recipients know exactly what to do and when.
Finally, constructive feedback and questioning complete the communication loop.
Feedback should focus on solutions rather than criticizing individuals. Saying: “The
introduction is a bit long; we could shorten it to help the audience focus,” is more positive
and effective than: “Your section is too long.” Similarly, asking open-ended questions like
“Do you have any other ideas to improve this part?” encourages dialogue, stimulates
creativity, and helps the group find solutions together.
These skills are interconnected, forming a complete communication process: active
listening enables accurate feedback, clear expression ensures correct understanding,
cultural awareness adjusts the approach to the audience, writing preserves information, and
feedback closes the communication loop. When applied effectively, these skills not only
improve information exchange but also build trust and sustain long-term collaboration.
However, even with strong skills, communication can still face challenges such as
language differences, lack of focus, time pressure, or personal biases. Therefore, in the next
section, we will analyze common communication barriers and explore ways to overcome
them, ensuring interactions are as effective and meaningful as possible.
2.3. The Challenge: Barriers to Communication and Solutions
In any modern business environment, communication is both essential and fragile.
Companies rely on the steady flow of accurate information to coordinate teams, build trust,
and remain competitive, yet even the most carefully designed systems can be disrupted by 6 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
a range of barriers. One of the most visible obstacles is the language gap. When employees
or partners come from different linguistic backgrounds, even everyday instructions can
become ambiguous. Technical jargon, idioms, and lengthy, complex sentences frequently
compound the problem. A simple request for a project update, for example, may be
interpreted differently by a native speaker and a second-language learner. The result can be
repeated clarifications, lost time, and errors in execution. Businesses can limit this risk by
using plain, straightforward English, supplying concise summaries of key points, adding
visuals such as charts or infographics, and maintaining internal glossaries of specialized
terms. In global settings, professional translation or interpretation and ongoing language
training further reduce misunderstanding and keep projects on schedule.
Cultural differences create another layer of complexity. Norms regarding eye
contact, gestures, personal space, and feedback styles vary widely across societies, so a
behavior that signals confidence in one culture may seem rude or evasive in another.
Differences in attitudes toward hierarchy, decision-making, or punctuality can also
undermine collaboration: a manager from a culture that prizes direct criticism might
unintentionally alienate colleagues who value indirect or consensus-driven communication.
Companies that thrive internationally usually invest in cross-cultural training and
mentoring, establish communication codes of conduct that emphasize respect for diverse
customs, and build inclusive meeting structures—such as round-robin discussions or
anonymous input tools—so that all participants feel heard regardless of background.
Even when language and culture align, poor listening habits frequently derail
understanding. Listeners who multitask, mentally rehearse replies, or filter for information
they want to hear can easily miss crucial details, leaving speakers frustrated and projects
misaligned. Organizations can counteract this by promoting active listening practices:
turning off distractions, paraphrasing to confirm comprehension, and allowing adequate
pauses before responses. Setting meeting norms—such as no phone use and the
appointment of a moderator to manage turn-taking—further helps teams stay focused.
Training programs that build emotional intelligence also make participants more aware of
the need to listen before reacting. 7 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
Technology, while indispensable, introduces its own hurdles. Weak internet
connections, incompatible software, lost attachments, and missed notifications can slow
work to a crawl, especially in distributed or hybrid teams. Misusing digital tools—for
example, relying on a group chat for complex discussions better suited to a shared
document—also causes confusion. To prevent these disruptions, businesses benefit from
standardizing a core set of communication platforms, investing in stable infrastructure,
offering regular tool-use training, and recording or transcribing virtual meetings so that no
message is lost when connectivity fails.
Information overload is another pervasive challenge. Employees often face an
unmanageable volume of emails, chats, and reports, many of which are lengthy or irrelevant
to their immediate tasks. Critical instructions can be buried in sprawling threads, leading to
missed deadlines and decision paralysis. Effective solutions include prioritizing and
labeling messages by urgency, writing in concise, well-structured formats, highlighting
action items at the top of communications, and centralizing data on dashboards or intranet
hubs. Regular archiving and clear guidelines about when and how often to send updates can
further reduce clutter and stress.
Structural barriers inside organizations can be equally damaging. Departments that
operate as isolated “silos” may withhold information, either intentionally or because
incompatible systems prevent easy sharing. Such isolation breeds duplication of effort,
conflicting decisions, and sluggish responses to market changes. Breaking down silos
requires deliberate leadership: management must model transparency, align departmental
incentives with company-wide goals, and create cross-functional teams that meet regularly.
Shared knowledge bases, integrated enterprise software, and rotational roles that connect
different units also help information circulate freely.
Finally, psychological and perceptual factors—biases, stereotypes, stress, or simple
defensiveness—can distort messages even when all technical conditions are perfect. A
person who feels threatened or undervalued may misread neutral feedback as criticism,
while someone experiencing fatigue or anxiety may overlook important nuances. Building
a culture of psychological safety, offering training in emotional intelligence, and 8 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
encouraging reflective dialogue (“Did I understand you correctly?”) allow teams to
overcome these subtle but powerful barriers.
When organizations address these intertwined challenges—linguistic, cultural,
behavioral, technological, informational, structural, and psychological—they unlock the
full potential of their communication systems. Messages move more smoothly across teams
and time zones, employees trust one another, and decisions can be made quickly and
accurately. Overcoming these barriers is therefore not a peripheral task but a central
requirement for effective business communication and sustainable competitive advantage.
2.4. The Practice: Communication in Business Scenarios
In business, communication is the key to almost every activity. During negotiations,
both sides try to reach a win-win result, so polite and persuasive phrases are important.
Good listening also helps partners understand each other better and build long-term trust.
In sales and presentations, communication is often based on storytelling that shows the
benefits of a product or service. When a company explains clearly how a product can save
time, reduce costs, or improve daily life, customers can see the value more easily and feel more motivated to buy.
Another important area is customer service. Here, communication must show
empathy, give quick responses, and include careful follow-up. Customers want to feel
respected and understood, so a clear and friendly message can sometimes solve problems
faster than the technical solution itself. Inside the company, internal collaboration also
depends on clear communication. Agendas keep meetings focused, minutes remind people
of the main points, and clear task ownership reduces mistakes. This way, teamwork
becomes more effective and goals are achieved on time.
Finally, in crisis management, communication must be fast, clear, and consistent. If
messages are late or confusing, the crisis may grow worse and damage the company’s
reputation. On the other hand, quick and transparent communication helps calm people and shows responsibility.
All these examples prove that communication is used every day in business. 9 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
However, the way people communicate is changing because of new technology and global
connections. This leads to an important question: how can businesses improve
communication even further and keep it effective in the long term?
2.5. The Improvement: Improving Communication Strategies and Competence
Improving communication is not a one-time task but a continuous process that
requires effort from both individuals and organizations. One important way is through
continuous learning and training. Regular workshops, language courses, and business
English training can help employees improve their ability to express ideas more clearly and
confidently. For example, role-plays, case studies, or peer feedback activities make training
sessions more practical and encourage learners to apply their skills in real-life business situations.
Another method is developing communication policies. Companies can create
standardized templates for emails, reports, and other documents. They can also set clear
communication protocols so that everyone knows when and how to share information. This
ensures consistency across departments or branches, and it reduces misunderstandings. For
instance, a logistics company may use the same email format for shipment updates, which
helps customers easily follow the information and trust the service.
Feedback and evaluation systems are also necessary to improve communication
competence. Collecting feedback after meetings or negotiations allows people to know
what went well and what needs to be improved. Using KPIs, such as response time, clarity
of messages, or customer satisfaction, can provide measurable results. In this way,
communication is not only based on subjective feelings but also evaluated by clear
standards, which makes improvement more effective.
Adaptability and flexibility are another crucial aspect. In business, no single
communication style can fit all contexts. People need to adjust their approach depending on
the audience, the purpose, or even a crisis situation. For example, a presentation in front of
board members should be formal and data-driven, while a brainstorming session with
colleagues can be more casual and creative. Being flexible in communication helps build
stronger connections and avoids unnecessary conflicts. 10 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
Finally, personal growth and self-awareness play a big role in improving
communication. Every individual should recognize their strengths and weaknesses in
expressing ideas, listening, or writing. By being more self-aware, they can focus on areas
that need improvement. At the same time, building confidence and empathy is essential for
long-term success. A confident communicator who also shows understanding and respect
to others is more likely to create trust and cooperation in business.
In short, improving communication strategies and competence involves a mix of
training, clear policies, effective evaluation, adaptability, and personal development. By
working on these areas, both individuals and organizations can ensure that their
communication is not only accurate but also meaningful and impactful. 11 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089 III. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, creativity and innovation are a powerful double-edged sword,
catalyzing breakthroughs that have profoundly reshaped every facet of life. While these
forces have delivered tremendous benefits—from improving healthcare and personalizing
medicine to democratizing education and reshaping global economies—their rapid pace has
also created significant challenges. We must confront issues like the digital divide, which
exacerbates existing inequalities; ethical and privacy concerns, which can erode public
trust; and job displacement, which demands continuous reskilling of the workforce. To
ensure these advancements truly serve all of humanity, it is critical that we approach
innovation with a shared commitment to responsibility and inclusivity. By focusing on
equitable solutions and proactive policies, we can guide our collective creativity to build a
better and more just future for everyone. 12 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089
MEETING MINUTES – GROUP 8
Time: from 22:00 to 22:30 – August 29, 2025 Place: Google Meet Participants: 1, Thái Minh Quân 2, Hoàng Phúc Tấn 3, Đào Phúc Thảo 4, Trần Thị Thảo 5, Lê Thị Kim Thoa
Contents for discussing: Agree on what to do for the discussion and assign work to each member of the group. Conclusion: -
Group leader Dao Phuc Thao gave discussion topics for members to discuss -
Group members take turns giving ideas to complete the discussion -
Team leader Dao Phuc Thao agreed on the time to submit the prepared
word Duties for participants: team members are learning about the following.
Leader (Signature and name) Dao Phuc Thao PEER ASSESSMENT Full name Assignment Grade STT 13 lOMoAR cPSD| 39651089 Thái Minh Quân 2.3 + PPT 1 Hoàng Phúc Tấn Intro + 2.1 + PPT 2 Đào Phúc Thảo 2.5 + Conclusion + PPT 3 Trần Thị Thảo 2.2 + PPT 4 2.4 + Word + PPT Lê Thị Kim Thoa 5 14
