Business Communication (Written and Verbal)

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (WRITTEN AND VERBAL)

COURSE BACKGROUND

In any professional environment, the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively is not just a desirable skill—it is a critical prerequisite for success. Business Communication, encompassing both written and verbal forms, is the primary vehicle for building relationships, conveying ideas, influencing decisions, and collaborating to achieve organizational goals. Poor communication, whether in a confusing email, a disorganized presentation, or a poorly handled conversation, can lead to costly misunderstandings, decreased productivity, damaged client relationships, and a negative workplace culture.

The modern workplace in a diverse and dynamic city like Nairobi, Kenya, is a complex blend of local and international teams, digital platforms, and fast-paced interactions. In this environment, mastering communication skills is more vital than ever for professionals at every level. The ability to articulate complex ideas concisely, present persuasively, and write with clarity and professionalism is a key differentiator that opens doors to leadership opportunities and fosters a more efficient and positive work environment.

ECAS Institute offers this “Business Communication (Written and Verbal)” course to equip professionals, managers, and individuals at all career stages with the essential skills to communicate effectively in a variety of business contexts. This program is designed to transform participants from communicators into master communicators, enabling them to convey their message with confidence, clarity, and professionalism, both in writing and in person.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of effective communication and its role in professional success.
• Write clear, concise, and professional business documents, including emails, reports, and proposals.
• Deliver confident and impactful verbal presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Master essential interpersonal communication skills for effective collaboration and meetings.
• Utilize non-verbal cues and active listening to enhance communication effectiveness.
• Navigate and resolve difficult conversations and workplace conflicts with tact and professionalism.
• Adapt communication styles for different audiences and cultural contexts, including digital platforms.
• Provide and receive constructive feedback to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a practical toolkit to significantly enhance your communication skills, ensuring your ideas are heard, understood, and acted upon. You will learn to:

• Structure and write professional emails that are clear, concise, and achieve their purpose.
• Develop well-organized business reports and proposals that are easy to read and persuasive.
• Overcome public speaking anxiety and deliver engaging presentations.
• Master verbal communication techniques such as tone, pace, and articulation.
• Read and interpret non-verbal communication, and use it to reinforce your message.
• Practice active listening to truly understand others’ perspectives.
• Run effective and productive meetings by setting clear agendas and managing participation.
• Prepare for and handle difficult conversations with colleagues, clients, or managers.
• Give and receive constructive feedback professionally.
• Adapt your communication style for remote work environments, diverse teams, and cross-cultural interactions.
• Develop a personal communication action plan for continuous improvement.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured, highly interactive, and practice-oriented training course designed for immediate application. The program will feature a blend of expert-led lectures, dynamic group discussions, extensive role-playing exercises for verbal communication, hands-on workshops for written communication, and peer-to-peer feedback sessions. Participants will have numerous opportunities to practice new skills in a safe and supportive environment, receiving personalized feedback on their written and verbal delivery. The specific duration of the course will be communicated upon registration, tailored to ensure comprehensive coverage and the development of actionable communication skills.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is essential for anyone who seeks to improve their professional communication skills, regardless of their industry or career level. It will particularly benefit:

• Professionals at all levels, from entry-level to senior management.
• Team Leaders and Managers who need to lead and motivate teams.
• Sales and Marketing Professionals who communicate with clients and partners.
• Project Managers who need to coordinate with various stakeholders.
• Human Resources Professionals who handle internal communication and conflict.
• Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
• Administrative and Support Staff
• Anyone who wants to boost their confidence and influence in the workplace.

TRAINING MODULES

No	Module	Details
1.	The Foundations of Effective Communication	This module introduces the core principles of communication and how to identify and overcome common barriers, setting the stage for all other skills. Topics: The communication model (sender, receiver, message, feedback). Verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal communication. Active listening and empathetic communication. Understanding your audience and purpose. Overcoming common communication barriers (e.g., noise, assumptions).
2.	Mastering Written Communication	This module focuses on the principles of clear, concise, and professional writing for various business documents, ensuring written messages are impactful and easily understood. Topics: The 5 Cs of communication: Clarity, Conciseness, Correctness, Completeness, and Courtesy. Structuring and writing professional emails. Developing well-organized business reports and proposals. Writing for different digital platforms and professional correspondence. Proofreading and editing techniques.
3.	Mastering Verbal Communication and Presentation Skills	This module equips participants with the skills to articulate their ideas verbally with confidence and impact, both in day-to-day interactions and in formal presentations. Topics: Techniques for speaking with confidence and clarity. Using voice modulation, tone, and articulation effectively. Structuring and delivering powerful presentations. Overcoming public speaking anxiety. Engaging your audience and handling Q&A sessions.
4.	Interpersonal and Team Communication	This module focuses on the dynamics of communication within a team, fostering effective collaboration and building positive professional relationships. Topics: Building rapport and trust with colleagues. Giving and receiving constructive feedback. Running effective and productive meetings. Navigating cross-cultural communication in a diverse workplace. Communication styles for different personality types.
5.	Managing Difficult Conversations and Conflict	This module provides a framework and practical techniques for handling challenging conversations and resolving workplace conflicts professionally and constructively. Topics: Preparing for and initiating difficult conversations. Using “I” statements to express needs without blame. Essential conflict resolution models. Negotiation skills for mutually beneficial outcomes. Managing emotions and maintaining professionalism.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.