BUSINESS COMMUNICATION – SAMPLE SYLLABUS
MCOM-GB.2105
Course Site found at http://sternclasses.nyu.edu
PROFESSOR LENNARD
OFFICE HOURS
By appointment
dlennard@stern.nyu.edu/ 212-998-0725/ KMC 3-108
TEACHING FELLOW
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course introduces the basics of communication strategy and persuasion: audience analysis,
communicator credibility, message construction and delivery. It provides opportunities for you to
improve your business speaking and writing skills, regardless of current skill level. You will
deliver individual and team presentations, and will receive feedback to improve your
communication effectiveness. Team presentations will be based on the Research in Motion case.
For the final project, your challenge will be to craft a presentation with your team that persuades
the audience to accept your strategic recommendations. This highly interactive course will help
you become a more dynamic, persuasive communicator.
REQUIRED READING

Munter and Russell. Guide to Presentations. 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall, 2008.
Available at the NYU Bookstore.

Ivey Business Case. “Research in Motion: Managing Explosive Growth.”
Go to the NYU Bookstore web site: http://www.bookstores.nyu.edu
Click on the "Search Books" link; in the "Search by ISBN" option,
enter 978300048527B; proceed to checkout and complete your order.
After completing your order, you will receive an email with your access code
and instructions for accessing the case.

SEC. A Plain English Handbook. Chapters 1, 3, 4 and 6.
Available online, free of charge, at http://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf
RECOMMENDED READING

Munter, Mary. Guide to Managerial Communication: Effective Business Writing and
Speaking. 8th Edition. Prentice Hall, 2009. Available at the NYU Bookstore.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MCOM-GB.2105
BLACKBOARD
I use Blackboard (BB) to post announcements; please check BB/Announcements regularly.
After each class, I post the slides on BB/Course Information and the URL of the class video on
BB/External Links. You can find the documents related to assignments on BB/Course Documents.
Please submit all assignments on BB/Assignments. Click “submit” to complete the submission
process.
LAPTOPS
You will use laptops only in Sessions 1 and 3 for specific in-class activities. Be sure to bring your
laptops to class on these dates. If you do not have a laptop, arrange a few days in advance to borrow
one from the IT HelpDesk in Shimkin UC 120. The HelpDesk staff can be reached at 212-998-0180
or HelpDesk@stern.nyu.edu.
INTEGRITY
I expect that you will adhere to the Stern MBA Honor Code.
http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/scorp/committee.cfm?doc_id=4797
GRADING
The assignments for this course are listed below. (Grading criteria for each assignment are listed
on the following pages.) Your final grade will be based on class participation and your
completion of the assignments. Grade distribution will follow the determined standards of the
Stern School of Business.
% of
GRADE
DUE
Benchmark Presentation (Individual)
*
1
Video Self-Evaluation (Individual)
*
2
Benchmark Presentation (Team)
10
2
Benchmark Presentation (Individual delivery)
10
2
*
3
Persuasive Presentation (Team)
20
4
Persuasive Presentation (Individual delivery)
20
4
Final Email
15
Participation (Includes italicized items above)
25
ASSIGNMENT
Video Self-Evaluation (Team)
2
Ongoing
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MCOM-GB.2105
NOTE: All written deliverables should be posted on Blackboard/Assignments.
Follow the prompts and attach your document as directed. Please use Word software.
Many of our class discussions will be based around the day’s given deliverables; therefore, late
assignments are not acceptable. If you have a qualified disability and will require academic
accommodation during this course, please contact the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities
(CSD, 998-4980) and provide me with a letter from them verifying your registration and outlining
the accommodations they recommend.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
In-class contribution is a significant part of your grade and an important part of our shared
learning experience. Your active participation helps me to evaluate your overall performance.
You can excel in this area if you come to class on time, stay through the end of class, and contribute
to the course by:
 Providing strong evidence of having thought through the material
 Advancing the discussion by contributing insightful comments and questions
 Listening attentively in class
 Demonstrating interest in your peers’ comments, questions, and presentations
 Giving constructive feedback to your peers when appropriate
Business Communication is designed to be a highly interactive course. The more you invest in it,
the more you will learn and the more others will learn from you.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance at every class session is required and part of your grade.
VIDEO RECORDING
One way to improve your presentation skills is to watch yourself on video. For this reason,
all of your in-class presentations will be recorded on video and made available to you on
BB/External Links. (Video streams are saved as Real Media files. If you need RealPlayer
to view the video of your presentation, you can download it for free from: http://www.real.com/.)
3
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MCOM-GB.2105
SESSION OUTLINE
SESSION ONE 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
READINGS
Munter and Russell, Guide to Presentations - read in its entirety
SEC, A Plain English Handbook, Chapters 1, 3, 4 and 6
Ivey Business Case - Research in Motion: Managing Explosive Growth
DELIVERABLE
 Individual Benchmark Presentation (3 minutes)
Prepare a three-minute oral presentation (using no visual aids, notes or slides).
This will serve as a benchmark of your oral presentation skills. Include some
personal information in your story so we can know you better by the end of the
presentation.
Choose one of the following topics:
a. Tell us which communication skill you think is the most important
for success in a global business environment and why.
b. Describe an event at work that involved a communication
breakdown.
c. Share with us the best or worst business advice you ever received.
AGENDA
TOPICS
9:00 – 10:30


Course and Team Introductions
Communication Strategy
10:30 – 12:00

Individual Benchmark Presentations
(Teams 1, 2 and 3)

Team Meetings
(Teams 4, 5 and 6)

Individual Benchmark Presentations
(Teams 4, 5 and 6)

Team Meetings
(Teams 1, 2 and 3)
12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 4:00
Lunch


Business Speaking
- Non-Verbal Delivery
- Presentation Structure
Business Writing
- Verbal Structure
- Language and Style
4
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MCOM-GB.2105
SESSION TWO 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
READINGS
Schenkler and Russell, “How To Review Your Videotape” (on BB)
Review Ivey Case - Research in Motion: Managing Explosive Growth
Review Munter and Russell, Guide to Presentations, Chapters 1-3 and 6
DELIVERABLES
Self-Evaluation of Individual Benchmark Presentation
Read “How To Review Your Videotape” (Course Documents) and then
watch your Individual Benchmark Presentation Video (External Links);
fill out the Self-Evaluation Form (Course Documents) and post it (Assignments).
Team Benchmark Presentation (10 minutes)
David Yach, Chief, Technology Officer for Software at RIM, has asked six
teams of external R&D specialists to analyze the strategic expansion options
outlined in the case. (One or two options may be analyzed by more than one
team.) Yach wants to know all of the angles before he takes anything up to
senior management. Your team will present an overview of your option and
support your assertions with data. Your audience will be David Yach and his
software and hardware development team leaders, as well as representatives
from the business development group.
This is an informative presentation—your team will not make specific
recommendations or advocate a particular plan of action at this time.
Your team may do additional research to expand on the assigned topic.
The case cites many sources, and as you know, RIM continues to develop its
product line to suit a changing marketplace. You may bring in points about the
economy, the political/cultural issues involved in manufacturing abroad, current
or future competitors, format developments, etc.


Complete the Presentation Planner (Course Documents) and post it on
Assignments. Bring a hard copy of your Planner to class.
Design visual aids for your presentation. Include at least two charts or
graphs. Post slides on BB by 8:30am. Bring a hard copy of your slide
deck to class.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1. Strategy:
2. Organization:
3. Structure:
4. Content:
5. Delivery:
AGENDA
TOPICS
9:00 – 12:00

12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 4:00
Audience clearly understands what to do as a result of the presentation
Presentation follows a logical order and details support the main ideas
Opening captures audience’s attention and close summarizes key points
Information is relevant and useful, examples and facts are included
Congruent verbal and non-verbal messages reach and engage the audience
Team Benchmark Presentations
Lunch




Designing Effective Visual Aids
Displaying Financial Data
Responding to Questions
Elements of Persuasion
5
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
SESSION THREE
MCOM-GB.2105
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
DELIVERABLE
 Self-Evaluation of Team Benchmark Presentation
Watch Team Benchmark Presentation Video (External Links), then fill out the
Self-Evaluation of Team Benchmark Presentation Form (Course Documents)
and post it (Assignments).
AGENDA
TOPICS
9:00 – 12:00


Impromptu Speaking
Email

Lunch
Meetings to Prepare for Final Team Presentation
12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 4:00
SESSION FOUR 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
DELIVERABLE
 Team Persuasive Presentation (20 minutes including Q&A)
Assume your team is an external consulting group hired by David Yach to make
recommendations to senior management and the RIM Board of Directors about
how the company can manage expansion and encroaching competition.
You may take any approach that you believe will help the company deal with the
issues presented in the case. Make sure you support your argument so you can
persuade the audience to accept your recommendations.
Consider the following questions in preparing your presentation:
 How will your recommendations benefit the firm? Provide reasons.
 What data will provide evidence to support your reasons?
 How can the company implement your recommendations?
Remember to:
 Bring a hard copy of your Presentation Planner and slide deck to class.
 Post your Planner and PowerPoint slides on BB by 8:30am.
 Be prepared to answer questions at any time during the presentation.
 Organize your presentation so that you can effectively communicate your key
messages in the allotted time. All team members must speak.
 Include a preview of presentation in the opening and a close at the ending.
 Make sure your visual aids enhance and support your message.
 Use graphs and charts to visually communicate quantitative data.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1. Organization:
2. Content:
3. Visuals:
4. Teamwork:
5. Delivery:
AGENDA
TOPICS
9:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 4:00




Presentation follows a logical order and details support main ideas
Information is relevant and the ideas are supported with evidence
Slides are readable and contribute to the persuasiveness of the presentation
Team is prepared, professional, and shares responsibility for Q&A
Presenters connect with and engage the audience, and speak with conviction
Team Persuasive Presentations
Debrief Final Presentations
Review and Feedback
Final Email
6
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MCOM-GB.2105
FINAL DELIVERABLE AND RECOMMENDED FOLLOW-UP
DELIVERABLE
 Final Email (Individual)
Write an email to Yach and the other members of RIM’s executive team as a
follow up to your presentation. Use this as an opportunity to reiterate your
argument, share the benefits of your recommendations, the reasons for your
recommendations, and outline the next steps. Pay attention to the structure and
style of your email. Format for clarity and ease of reading. Send your email to
me by Thursday, May 6th.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1. Strategy:
2. Structure:
3. Content:
4. Style:
5. Format:
FOLLOW-UP
Audience clearly understands what to do as a result of reading the email
Email includes an appropriate opening and close
Recommendations are clear and specific, supported by evidence
Plain English is used and the tone is appropriate for the audience
Document design makes it easy to skim, typography is used correctly
View your Team Persuasive Presentation Video on Blackboard.
(This is recommended, not required.)
7
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
SESSION
1
TOPICS
Course and Team
Introductions
Communication
Strategy
Individual
Presentations
Business Speaking
MCOM-GB.2105
READINGS
DELIVERABLES
· Munter and Russell,
Guide to Presentations · Individual Benchmark
(read in its entirety)
Presentation
· SEC, A Plain English
Handbook, Chapters 1,
3, 4 and 6
· Ivey Case – Research
in Motion: Managing
Explosive Growth
SelfBusiness Writing
2
Team Benchmark
Presentations
Designing Effective
Visual Aids
Displaying
Financial Data
Responding to
Questions
· Schenkler and Russell,
“How To Review Your
Videotape” (on BB)
· Self-Evaluation of
Individual Benchmark
Presentation
· Review Ivey Case –
Research in Motion:
Managing Explosive
Growth
· Team Benchmark
Presentation
· Review Munter and
Russell, Guide to
Presentations, Chapters
1-3 and 6
Elements of
Persuasion
3
Impromptu
Speaking
· Self-Evaluation of Team
Benchmark Presentation
Email
Team Meetings
4
Final Presentations
· Team Persuasive
Presentation
Debrief and Review
5
· Final Email
8