Mastering influence in business communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. analyze communication situations and prepare effective communication strategies for different contexts
2. write coherent and convincing, reader-friendly business texts
3. plan and deliver effective objective-driven relational, informational, promotional and transformational business presentations
4. negotiate more effectively by selecting and employing relevant strategies and tactics

Content

Whenever you communicate with others, you influence them in one way or another. This course increases your understanding of how you can communicate successfully in the business context, meaning that you influence the audience in the way that you intend to, and thereby enhance your chances of getting the desired response.

In the course, we focus on writing, presenting and negotiating successfully in business, as these are critical skills needed by all managers and employees. To enable you to learn as effectively as possible, the course is highly interactive and task-oriented. It approaches business communication with an analytical approach and provides you with clear insight into effective communication strategies.

Case analyses, written assignments, individual and team presentations and negotiation simulations will allow you to practice the theories and key concepts introduced during the course. Peer and lecturer feedback will give you a clear picture of your present communication skills, and an indication of how you can further enhance your performance.

Attendance is mandatory at the first lecture in order to complete the course, and any absences (maximum 2 absences) must be agreed in advance with the teacher. If you are absent from the first lecture without prior arrangement with the teacher, you will be removed from the course. In such cases, the course fee will not be refunded.

Teacher
D.Sc.(Econ) Kirsti Iivonen

Study Material
Teaching materials prepared by the lecturer.

Online learning environment for the course & Activating Aalto ID

MyCourses online learning environment is a tool for both students and teachers for communication and managing everyday course work. You need an Aalto User ID to log in to the course's MyCourses workspace and participate in teaching. You can activate your Aalto User ID the day after the registration and you should activate it no later than the day before the start of the course. Instructions for activating your Aalto User ID:Activating Aalto User ID

MyCourses workspace: MyCourses
More details on completing the course will be available at MyCourses closer to the start of the course.

Workload

Contact teaching: 36h (Mandatory attendance)
Independent work: 124h
Total: 160h (6 ECTS)

Please note that this is a highly interactive course with mandatory attendance and several assignments and deadlines.

Prerequisites

CEFR-level: Starting level: C1 (CEFR Levels). Please note that this is not a language course but a course in communication theory and skills. It is therefore essential that participants meet the required C1 level in English.

Evaluation

1. Assignments (90%)
2. Class contribution (10%)

Mandatory attendance.

Evaluation: 0 (fail) - 5 (excellent)

Teaching time and location

The course is taught in a blended mode, partly on campus and partly online. 

Attendance is mandatory at the first lecture in order to complete the course, and any absences (maximum 2 absences) must be agreed in advance with the teacher. If you are absent from the first lecture without prior arrangement with the teacher, you will be removed from the course. In such cases, the course fee will not be refunded.

Please see the exact teaching times and locations from the table below. Some changes to teaching locations may occur. 

Registration and course fee

Registration for Open University courses is done in Sisu-service. 
Course registration

Registration starts on 25.3.2024 at 9.00.
Registration ends on 6.5.2024 at 23.59

The course fee is payed upon registration for each course at a time and it is binding. Familiarize yourself with registration and payment rules as well as other guidelines for students:
Registration, payment and rulesIf you are an attending degree student at Aalto University, it is possible for you to complete this course for free of charge during summer 2024. Registration is done normally in Sisu. Please make sure that you have the correct course code in your study plan before registering to the course. You can check the course code from the top of this page.
Instructions for course registration (for Aalto degree students)

Read more about Aalto University's summer studies:
Summer studiesThis course is organized by Aalto University Open University

Access Token on Aalto University Campus

To be able to enter campus premises and classrooms you need the student access token of Aalto University. You can get the student access token from campus lobby services. The access token need to be activated with your Aalto account and password before you can use it. Please, arrive the campus well in advance before your first class so that you can make the access token work. Please, see the instructions how to activate the access token:
How to get access token

Otaniemi Campus, Espoo
Campus map

Further information
Equivalences to other courses: Mastering influence in Business Communication (AMNGT-A4004), Business Communication Skills (A61A00200, 61A00200)

Individual study arrangements

If you need individual study arrangements in order to attend a course, contact the Open University office [email protected]  in good time, at least 14 days before the start date of the course or the examination date. Further information about individual study arrangements:
Individual study arrangements at Open University