Business 101: Business Communication Skills

Set the tone by applying business etiquette and conducting yourself with class. Dress appropriately to convey the right message and make strong first impressions when meeting others.

Develop strong business communication by balancing speaking up with listening, demonstrating etiquette, and refining your self-introduction or elevator pitch for clear, confident self-presentation.

Learn how to tailor etiquette across home and work, adjust behavior for meetings, conferences, and travel, and navigate sensitive personal situations without crossing professional boundaries.

Navigate common workplace challenges, conflicts with coworkers and supervisors, and difficult personalities. Learn to apply company policies, sexuality guidelines, and evolving business etiquette, including mediation strategies.

Explore how to navigate business travel with cultural etiquette and professional conduct, from continental differences to representing your company abroad.

Research the interviewer and company, arrive early, and present positive body language. Prepare concise answers, avoid negative remarks about past bosses, and send a follow-up email.

Be a positive presence at work by explaining why tasks matter, setting clear expectations, praising specific work publicly, and delivering feedback privately with professionalism and courtesy.

Treat coworkers with disabilities as normal, communicate positively, and provide needed accommodations; train staff on responding to health events and uphold non-discrimination.

Respect racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual differences by treating everyone fairly; keep business interactions blind to these differences and follow equal etiquette, like who pays or opens doors.

Align your wardrobe with your company’s dress code, dress professionally in business casual or higher, and maintain hygiene and confident body language to project value as a consultant.

Learn practical strategies for making introductions in professional settings, including remembering names, using titles, maintaining eye contact, and taking initiative—fake it till you make it.

Master a confident handshake as a nonverbal hello in introductions, using a firm but not too firm grip with two to three shakes to set a positive tone.

Master two-way conversations by balancing talk and listening, ensuring a natural pace, avoiding gossip, and showing depth across varied topics with sincere compliments.

Navigate workplace conversations by keeping language professional, avoiding politics, religion, and gossip, and setting clear boundaries. Maintain a positive, friendly tone to keep office chatter tame.

Enhance networking at events with prepared conversation, industry updates, and non-sales talk; bring business cards, introduce yourself, exit conversations politely, and display positive body language.

Identify awkward moments, gracefully change the subject, and keep dialogue flowing by listening, avoiding domination, moderating volume, and asking engaging questions to involve others.

Improve written email communication by applying etiquette, clear structure, and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Learn to write concise, organized emails that present options, deadlines, and consideration for the reader.

Learn how to design effective business cards for networking, including essential elements like logo, company name, contact details, website, and social media, with optional back side space for extra information.

Maintain professional demeanor on video conference calls by dressing business casual, ensuring quiet surroundings, high-quality audio and video, and giving full attention while respecting turn-taking in a virtual meeting.

Improve written communications by crafting respectful, concise emails with positive tone, clear structure, proper spelling and grammar, and by presenting options with deadlines to maximize reader understanding.

Design business cards to include your logo, name, website, email, and phone, with optional address and social media, and use the back for extra details at networking events.

Write formal business letters with proper date placement, recipient name/title/address, salutation, organized paragraphs, closing, signatures, enclosures, and cc, ensuring clear structure and professional tone.

Use business stationery or printed envelopes to present neat addresses and a company logo when available; place the sender top left, the recipient centered, include zip codes, and ensure postage.

Follow company data policies to prevent breaches and keep work files on approved drives. Lock your computer when away, use passwords, and protect laptops with encryption, especially for sensitive departments.

Set your hours and respond to emails between eight and five; disable work email on your phone when off duty, and call for urgent matters.

Practice professional internet use at work by following policies, avoiding personal activity on work devices, avoiding gossip about your employer online, and carrying a personal laptop for tasks.

Write professional emails with proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Avoid all caps, start with a greeting, sign off, and keep messages concise and reader-focused to elicit the right response.

Learn how to use a company-issued cell phone strictly for business. Do not engage in personal calls, texts, photos, or apps to avoid policy violations and consequences.

Practice good office equipment etiquette by refilling the photocopier and paper trays, and avoiding personal use. Promptly report any equipment malfunctions to IT or your supervisor to keep workflows smooth.

Plan meetings with a clear purpose and agenda that defines outcomes, tasks, and etiquette. Schedule in advance, distribute a typed or printed agenda, and ensure key attendees can attend.

Lead meetings effectively using Robert's Rules of Order, with a moderator, a clear agenda, respectful speaking turns, and clear takeaways and deadlines.