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Elements of Effective Business Communication

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Discover techniques designed to improve how you craft and deliver concise and informative communications. Learn how to become a better listener so you can help address the concerns of others. And explore different ways to transfer and translate information from one level within an organization to another.

This is Elements of Effective Business Communication. In about 30 hours, you could enhance your communication skills and influence how you interact with people at any level within the workplace. But true communication goes well beyond what you say. Learn more about the importance of listening to and understanding received communications. Get help recognizing how everything from your word choice to your body language can influence how your communications are presented. And gain insights into communicating information between different departments and positions within an organization.

This self-led, non-college-credit course aligns to the SHRM® Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge¹

¹SHRM is a registered trademark of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Apply communication principles to articulate information relevant to audience, purpose and context

  • Utilize appropriate language and tone to convey information appropriately

  • Apply active and empathetic listening skills to respond effectively in different business situations

  • Apply effective communication elements to differing business presentation settings

Key topics:

  • Clear, concise, understandable communication

  • Utilizing appropriate tone and body language

  • Active and empathetic listening

  • Presentations and delivering organizational messaging

Co-workers practicing their elements of effective communications skills learned from professional development course at University of Phoenix

Reasons to buy for business:

  • Employees can get registered and start learning today
  • Track employee progress
  • Finish course in approx. 30 hrs
  • Eligible for recertification credits

We're a SHRM Recertification Provider

This course offers 30 professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification.

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Course outline

  • Course Introduction
    • Course Welcome
    • Getting Started
  • Module 1: Clear, Concise, and Understandable Communication
    • Introduction to Clear, Concise, and Understandable Communication
    • Understanding the Elements of Communication
    • Communication in the Global Digital Age
    • Communication in the Global Arena
    • Clear, Concise, and Understandable Communication Skills Assessment
  • Module 2: Appropriate Tone and Body Language
    • Introduction to Active and Empathetic Listening Skills
    • Communicating with Confidence
    • Communicating Effectively with your Audience
    • Knowing Your Audience
    • Utilizing Appropriate Tone and Body Language Skills Assessment
  • Module 3: Active and Empathetic Listening
    • Introduction to Active and Empathetic Listening
    • Critical Elements of Active and Empathetic Listening
    • Demonstrating Active Listening Techniques
    • Active Listening with Clients
    • Different Types of Listening
    • Becoming a Better Listener
    • Active and Empathetic Listening Skills Assessment
  • Module 4: Presentations and Delivering Organizational Messaging
    • Introduction to Presentations and Delivering Organizational Messaging
    • Messaging, Media Literacy, and Communication
    • Delivering an Effective Prospect Presentation
    • Presentation Delivery and Audience Engagement
    • Presentations and Delivering Organizational Messaging Skills Assessment
  • Course Conclusion
    • Course Wrap Up

Tools and resources for you to use right away:

  • Active Listening

    This PDF contains links to resources that provide an overview of active listening, as well as practical tips and techniques for building this important skill.

  • Effective Business Presentations

    This PDF contains links to resources that include tips and techniques for determining the appropriate type of presentation to give, how to work through anxiety related to public speaking, and methods to engage and inspire audiences.

  • Foundations of Business Communication

    This PDF contains links to resources on basics of business communication including common problems, different communication and communicator styles and types, options for audience analysis, and how to speak up with confidence in the work environment.


Showcase your achievement

Share your Certificate of Completion and Professional Development Badge by uploading them to your social media profiles, such as LinkedIn®² , when you’ve successfully completed your course with a score of 85% or higher.

² LinkedIn is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.

Sample certificate and badge for Corporate Learning Design course

Frequently asked questions

The Elements of Effective Business Communication course may be right for you if you have an interest in learning more about communicating effectively within the workplace. This course could also help you grow your career in the HR field.

By purchasing this Elements of Effective Business Communication course, you are taking the first step in growing your workplace communication skills. You should purchase this course if you’re interested in learning theories and best practices in workplace communication.

No application is necessary. Everyone is welcome to the Elements of Effective Business Communication course.

All levels and skillsets are welcome to take the Elements of Effective Business Communication non-college-credit course. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Yes. This course aligns to the SHRM® Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge and offers 30 PDCs for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification.

The Elements of Effective Business Communication course has four modules comprised of subjects like “Clear, Concise, Understandable Communication.” Each module has a knowledge check and brief assessment to validate your skills. You can expect the course to take about 30 hours, and all courses are 100% online and self-paced.

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