Training: Basics of Effective Business Communication
From January 30, 2023 to January 31, 2023, the Faculty of Management organised a workshop entitled "Basics of Effective Bussiness Communication". With us were experts from Nielsen Lab. The workshops were conducted by the lecturers of the Department of Political Science, Sociology, Communication, Ethics and Cultural Studies in Management UPFM; Assist. Prof. Ana Arzenšek, Prof. Simona Kustec, Assist. Prof. Andreja Pegan and Sen. Lect. Suzana Sedmak.
On Monday, January 30, 2023, Prof. Simona Kustec held the first workshop on "The basics of good business communication" between 8.30 and 10.00. She presented the basic principles of successful business communication in different business environments and situations and using a variety of communication tools. Examples from practical environments were used to identify good and bad communication skills, with particular emphasis on the role and importance of business etiquette. On the same day, Sen. Lect. Suzana Sedmak continued with the workshop "Intercultural Aspects of Communication", where she focused on intercultural competences, especially in a business context, as well as on some of the differences between cultures and the barriers that have a key impact on the way we communicate. Through short examples, the participants also challenged themselves to understand how the culture in which we grow up and live influences the way we communicate. On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Assist. Prof. Andreja Pegan conducted a workshop on "Effective Argumentation". The context of effective argumentation and the principles of persuasion were discussed. Through discussion and a series of examples, participants learned about the psycho-social context that influences the perception of information and the response of individuals and teams in organisations. The workshop "Conflict Management in the Workplace" was concluded by Assist. Prof. Ana Arzenšek. She introduced the participants to the different types of conflict. Three key lessons from the workshop are:
- conflict resolution styles are partly learned and internalised through socialisation, partly linked to personal and organisational factors,
- new and more constructive conflict resolution styles can be learned,
- the role of managers and of each individual colleague is to invest in their personal development through self-reflection, thus contributing to constructive communication within the team.
Communication in the business world is one of the fundamental tools for work, and at the same time it is also a component of the successful end result of this work. Good communication in the workplace affects trust between individuals and contributes to business success and well-being within organizations (Opitz and Hinner 2003, Segrin 2014).
A person's communication skills are conditioned by many circumstances, from external to internal organizational, as well as personal characteristics of employees and clients, so it is very important that communication between colleagues (including crisis and conflict communication) is professional and positive.
Green, Digital, and Inclusive UP are three pilot projects focused on the curricular renewal of professional higher education study programs at UP to support broader national reform for a green, resilient transition to Society 5.0.
The pilot projects aim to equip students with the skills for a green and digital transition to Society 5.0, focusing on the principles of UP:
- A high-quality study experience;
- Flexible study paths;
- Flexible and responsive learning environment;
- Alignment with lifelong learning concepts;
- Ensuring equal opportunity and gender balance in all areas of study.
The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The project is implemented in accordance with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the development area Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, component Strengthening competencies, in particular digital competencies and those required by the new professions and the green transition (C3 K5), for the investment measure Investment F. Implementation of pilot projects, the results of which will serve as a basis for the preparation of a roadmap for the reform of higher education for a green and resilient transition to a Society 5.0: project Pilot Projects for the Reform of Higher Education for a Green and Resilient Transition.