MCS-015 Solved Assignment 2023-24 - Protected
MCS-015 Solved Assignment 2023-24 - Protected
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MCS-015
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Solved Assignment
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MCS-015 Solved Assignment 2023-2024 (July-January)
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Course Code MCS-015
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Course Title Communication Skills
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Assignment Number BCA (II)/015/Assignment/2023-24
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Maximum Marks 100
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Weightage 25%
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Last Date of Submission
30 th April, 2024 (For January Session)
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Note: This assignment has seven questions. Answer all questions. You may use illustrations and diagrams to enhance the explanations. Please go
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through the guidelines regarding assignments given in the Programme Guide for the format of presentation.
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Q1. Read the following passage carefully.
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Nobody actually wants to cause offence but, as business becomes ever more international, it is increasingly easy to get it wrong. There may be a single
European market but it does not mean that managers behave the same in Greece as they do in Denmark.
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In many European countries handshaking is an automatic gesture. In France good manners require that on arrival at a business meeting a manager
shakes hands with everyone present. This can be a demanding task and, in a crowded room, may require gymnastic ability if the farthest hand is to be
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reached.
Handshaking is almost as popular in other countries—including Germany, Belgium and Italy. But Northern Europeans, such as the British and
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In Europe the most common challenge is not the content of the food, but the way you behave as you eat. Some things are just not done. In France it is
not good manners to raise tricky questions of business over the main course. Business has its place after the cheese course. Unless you are prepared to
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eat in silence you have to talk about something —something, that is, other than the business deal which you are continually chewing over in your head.
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after a lively discussions, you must remember the next polite thing to do—let your host pick up the bill.
In Germany, as you walk sadly back to your hotel room, you may wonder why your apparently friendly hosts have not invited you out for the evening.
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Don’t worry, it is probably nothing personal. Germans do not entertain business people with quite the same enthusiasm as some of their European
counterparts.
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The Germans are also notable for the amount of formality they bring to business. As an outsider, it is often difficult to know whether colleagues have
been working together for 30 years or have just met in the lift. If you are used to calling people by their first names this can be a little strange. To the
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Germans, titles are important. Forgetting that someone should be called Herr Doktor or Frau Direktorin might cause serious offence. It is equally
offensive to call them by a title they do not possess.
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In Italy the question of title is further confused by the fact that everyone with a university degree can be called Dottore-and engineers, lawyers and
architects may also expect to be called by their professional titles.
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These cultural challenges exist side by side with the problems of doing business in a foreign language. Language, of course, is full of difficulties —
disaster may be only a syllable away. But the more you know of the culture of the country you are dealing with, the less likely you are to get into
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difficulties. It is worth the effort. It might be rather hard to explain that the reason you lost the contract was not the product or the price, but the fact
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that you offended your hosts in a light-hearted comment over an aperitif. Good manners are admired: they can also make or break the deal.
i. Discuss the importance of culture in doing business in the light of the following statement from the text:
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“------- as business becomes ever more international, it is increasingly easy to get it wrong.”
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ii. How are the French different from the British, where ‘shaking hands’ is concerned?
iii. Suggest two ways in which the Italians differ from the Germans in their dealings with business colleagues.
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v. What would you tell a foreign visitor about “good manners” in our country?
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i. challenge
ii. worry
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iii. animosity
iv. friendliness
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v. difficulty
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vi. light-hearted
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Q2. Use the phrasal verbs given in the box to complete the sentences given below:
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i. The phone’s ringing. Why don’t you -------------------- the receiver?
ii. I’m afraid she isn’t available at the moment. Can you ----------- later?
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iii. Can you --------their number in the directory, please?
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iv. I’m afraid she’s with a client, shall I -----------you -------- to her secretary?
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v. Hello? Are you still there? I think we were ---------------for a moment.
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vi. Mr. Green never seems to be in his office. I’ve been trying to ---------to him all morning.
vii. Could you -------------- for a moment? I’ll just find out for you.
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viii.If the telephonist says ‘Thanks you so much for calling’ and plays me that awful electronic music again, I’ll -------------.
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ix. If you get a wrong number, it’s polite to say ‘I’m sorry, I’ve dialed the wrong number’ before you ---------------
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x. If an American telephonist asks ‘Are you through?’, she wants to know if your call ------------
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Q3. Put the verbs in brackets into the passive form in the following sentences.
ii. Two players (send) off the field during last Saturday’s match.
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iii. The hotel, which (complete) only last year (equip) with a business center and a gym.
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iv. Application (invite) for the post of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture. Preference (give) to applicants with teaching experience.
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vi. As soon as your order (receive), it (process) and an acknowledgment sent.
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Q4. Write down what you would say in each of these situations.
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i. Your flight to Delhi is delayed. Find out the reason. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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ii. You’re booked on flight AI 879 on May 16. You want to postpone this to ZZ 857 on May 17. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
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iii. Flight RA 372 doesn’t leave till 5pm but you’ve arrived at the check-in desk at 12 noon. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
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iv You don’t understand how to get a boarding-pass from an automatic machine. Ask a passerby for help. ---------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
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v. Someone asks you how to get to the Terminal-3(Delhi Airport) –tell him or her that it’s two blocks down and then left. ------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
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vi. You have arrived late because your flights’ delay. Apologize to your host or hostess. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-------
vii. You don’t understand some of the dishes on the menu. Ask your companion for help. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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----------
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viii. You want to order a plain dosa, which is not on the menu. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Q5. (a) What are the four phases in a negotiation process? Discuss.
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(b) Every New Year XYZ multinational company gives its customers gifts ranging from diaries and calendars to silver items. The financial manager of that
MNC says it’s too expensive and wants to stop the practice. The sales manager disagrees. Write a dialogue between the two.
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Q6. You are the General Manager –HR of the company. You want to talk about the effective ways of making good presentations to the Sales staff. Use
the following points to make your presentation.
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How good presentations can benefit your company.
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How speakers should prepare before giving presentations
The qualities of a good speaker
How a speaker can keep the attention of the audience
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The effective use of visual aids in presentations
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Q7. Imagine that your General Manager has asked you to find out the precautions and preparations needed to arrange for the disaster management
provisions in your company.
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These are the notes you’ve made. Draft a report of about 300 words to your General Manager by expanding the notes into paragraphs.
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Identified Dangers
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Proposals
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iii. Display of safety regulations
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iv. Hooters to be installed —signal warning
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vi. Important telephone numbers —Hospital, Fire-Brigade, Doctors, senior officials of the company
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vii. Action committee to be formed
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-: Solution :-
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Q1. Read the following passage carefully.
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Nobody actually wants to cause offence but, as business becomes ever more international, it is increasingly ……….. manners are admired: they can also
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make or break the deal. rn
i. Discuss the importance of culture in doing business in the light of the following statement from the text:
“------- as business becomes ever more international, it is increasingly easy to get it wrong.”
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ii. How are the French different from the British, where ‘shaking hands’ is concerned?
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iii. Suggest two ways in which the Italians differ from the Germans in their dealings with business colleagues.
v. What would you tell a foreign visitor about “good manners” in our country?
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i. challenge
ii. worry
Learning Science | https://learningscience.co.in
iii. animosity
iv. friendliness
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v. difficulty
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vi. light-hearted
Solution:
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i. The statement highlights the increasing importance of culture in doing business as globalization progresses. With businesses operating on an
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international scale, there is a higher risk of cultural misunderstandings and unintentionally causing offense. Different countries have distinct cultural
norms and expectations, and failing to understand and respect them can lead to misunderstandings, strained relationships, and potential business
failures.
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ii. The French are different from the British when it comes to 'shaking hands.' In France, it is considered good manners for a manager to shake hands
with everyone present upon arrival at a business meeting. It is an automatic gesture and a sign of politeness. On the other hand, the British, along with
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Scandinavians, are not as fond of physical demonstrations of friendliness, and handshaking may not be as common or emphasized in their business
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culture. rn
iii. Two ways in which Italians differ from Germans in their dealings with business colleagues are:
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1. Importance of Business Entertaining: Italians place significant importance on the whole process of business entertaining. They appreciate the social
aspect of meals and see it as an opportunity to build relationships. The fear in Italy is that one might entirely forget they are there on business due to the
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enjoyment of the meal. On the other hand, Germans may not entertain business people with the same enthusiasm as some other European
counterparts, possibly focusing more on formal business discussions rather than extended socializing.
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2. Use of Titles: Germans emphasize formality in business settings and consider titles important. It is expected to address colleagues with the
appropriate title, such as Herr Doktor or Frau Direktorin. Forgetting or misusing titles might cause offense. In Italy, the question of titles is further
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complicated, as individuals with a university degree can be called Dottore, and professionals like engineers, lawyers, and architects may also expect to be
addressed by their respective professional titles.
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v. To a foreign visitor, when discussing "good manners" in our country, it would be important to provide information on cultural norms and expectations.
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This could include aspects such as greetings (e.g., handshakes, bows, or kisses on the cheek), appropriate ways of addressing people (e.g., using titles or
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first names), social customs during meals or business meetings, and any specific etiquette related to communication and personal space. It would also be
essential to highlight the significance of respecting and adapting to the local culture as a sign of courtesy and to foster positive business relationships.
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vi. Opposites of the following words from the text:
i. Challenge - Ease
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ii. Worry - Assurance
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iii. Animosity - Friendship
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iv. Friendliness - Hostility
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v. Difficulty - Simplicity rn
vi. Light-hearted - Serious
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Q2. Use the phrasal verbs given in the box to complete the sentences given below:
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ii. I’m afraid she isn’t available at the moment. Can you ----------- later?
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vi. Mr. Green never seems to be in his office. I’ve been trying to ---------to him all morning.
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vii. Could you -------------- for a moment? I’ll just find out for you.
viii. If the telephonist says ‘Thanks you so much for calling’ and plays me that awful electronic music again, I’ll -------------.
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ix. If you get a wrong number, it’s polite to say ‘I’m sorry, I’ve dialed the wrong number’ before you ---------------
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x. If an American telephonist asks ‘Are you through?’, she wants to know if your call ------------
Solution:
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i. The phone’s ringing. Why don’t you pick up the receiver?
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ii. I’m afraid she isn’t available at the moment. Can you call back later?
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iii. Can you look up their number in the directory, please?
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iv. I’m afraid she’s with a client, shall I put you through to her secretary?
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v. Hello? Are you still there? I think we were cut off for a moment.
vi. Mr. Green never seems to be in his office. I’ve been trying to get through to him all morning.
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vii. Could you hold on for a moment? I’ll just find out for you.
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viii. If the telephonist says ‘Thanks you so much for calling’ and plays me that awful electronic music again, I’ll hang up.
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ix. If you get a wrong number, it’s polite to say ‘I’m sorry, I’ve dialed the wrong number’ before you give up.
x. If an American telephonist asks ‘Are you through?’, she wants to know if your call is over.
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i. You’ll hardly recognize our office. It (redecorate) since your last visit.
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ii. Two players (send) off the field during last Saturday’s match.
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iii. The hotel, which (complete) only last year (equip) with a business center and a gym.
iv. Application (invite) for the post of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture. Preference (give) to applicants with teaching experience.
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v. As my car (repair) last Friday, I (give) a lift to work by a colleague.
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vi. As soon as your order (receive), it (process) and an acknowledgment sent.
Solution:
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i. You’ll hardly recognize our office. It has been redecorated since your last visit.
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ii. Two players were sent off the field during last Saturday’s match.
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iii. The hotel, which was completed only last year, has been equipped with a business center and a gym.
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iv. Applications are being invited for the post of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture. Preference is given to applicants with teaching
experience.
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v. As my car was being repaired last Friday, I was given a lift to work by a colleague.
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vi. As soon as your order is received, it will be processed and an acknowledgment will be sent.
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Q4. Write down what you would say in each of these situations.
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ii. You’re booked on flight AI 879 on May 16. You want to postpone this to ZZ 857 on May 17. ---------------------------------------------------------------
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iii. Flight RA 372 doesn’t leave till 5pm but you’ve arrived at the check-in desk at 12 noon. ------------------------------------------------------------------
iv You don’t understand how to get a boarding-pass from an automatic machine. Ask a passerby for help. -----------------------------------------------------
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v. Someone asks you how to get to the Terminal-3(Delhi Airport) –tell him or her that it’s two blocks down and then left. -----------------------------------------
vi. You have arrived late because your flights’ delay. Apologize to your host or hostess. ----------------------------------------------
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vii. You don’t understand some of the dishes on the menu. Ask your companion for help. --------------------------------------
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viii. You want to order a plain dosa, which is not on the menu. --------------------------------------------
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x. At the end of the meal you want to pay the bill, but the waiter has given it to your companion. -------------------------------
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Solution:
i. "Excuse me, could you please provide some information about the delay of the flight to Delhi? I'm curious to know the reason behind it."
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ii. "I have a booking on flight AI 879 scheduled for May 16, but I would like to request a change. Is it possible to postpone my flight to ZZ 857 on May
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iii. "I see that my flight, RA 372, is scheduled to depart at 5 pm, but I have arrived at the check-in desk around 12 noon. Would it be possible to check in
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early?"
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iv. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm having trouble understanding how to obtain a boarding pass from the automatic machine. Could you please help me
with it?"
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v. "To reach Terminal-3 at Delhi Airport, you need to go two blocks down from here and then take a left."
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vi. "I apologize for my delayed arrival. Unfortunately, my flight was delayed, and I couldn't make it on time. I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused."
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vii. "I'm having difficulty understanding some of the dishes on the menu. Can you please assist me in deciphering them?"
viii. "I would like to order a plain dosa, but I don't see it listed on the menu. Is it possible to request a plain dosa even though it's not mentioned?"
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ix. "Could you recommend a local dish that I should try? I would love to experience the authentic flavors of the region."
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x. "Excuse me, I would like to pay the bill, but it seems the waiter has given it to my companion. Could you please bring the bill to me instead?"
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(b) Every New Year XYZ multinational company gives its customers gifts ranging from diaries and calendars to silver items. The financial manager of that
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MNC says it’s too expensive and wants to stop the practice. The sales manager disagrees. Write a dialogue between the two.
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Solution:
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(a) The four phases in a negotiation process are:
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1. Preparation: This phase involves gathering information, setting goals, and developing a strategy before entering into the negotiation. It is crucial to
understand the interests and priorities of both parties involved, identify possible alternatives and concessions, and anticipate potential challenges or
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objections.
2. Discussion: The discussion phase is where both parties come together to exchange information, present their positions, and explore potential
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solutions. It is crucial to listen actively and communicate effectively during this phase, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and understood. This
phase may involve brainstorming, clarifying concerns, and addressing any misunderstandings.
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3. Bargaining: In the bargaining phase, both parties engage in give-and-take, making concessions and negotiating terms to reach a mutually acceptable
agreement. This phase requires effective communication skills, creative problem-solving, and a willingness to compromise. It involves exploring various
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options, evaluating trade-offs, and finding common ground to reach a satisfactory outcome.
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4. Closure: The closure phase is when the negotiation process is finalized. It involves formalizing the agreement, documenting the terms and conditions,
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and ensuring that both parties are committed to implementing the agreed-upon solution. This phase may also include post-negotiation follow-up, such
as reviewing the agreement's effectiveness and addressing any outstanding issues.
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It's important to note that negotiation is a dynamic process, and these phases may not always follow a linear progression. They may overlap or require
revisiting earlier phases as new information or circumstances emerge during the negotiation.
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(b) Dialogue between the Financial Manager and the Sales Manager:
Financial Manager (FM): I've been reviewing our company's expenses, and I believe we should consider stopping the practice of giving gifts to our
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customers every New Year. It's becoming too expensive, and I'm concerned about the impact on our financials.
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Sales Manager (SM): I understand your concern, but I believe giving gifts to our customers is an important practice. It helps maintain strong
relationships and shows our appreciation for their business. It's a small investment that can yield significant returns in terms of customer loyalty and
repeat sales.
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FM: I appreciate the value of maintaining customer relationships, but we need to consider the cost-benefit aspect. Can we explore more cost-effective
alternatives that still convey our gratitude without straining our finances?
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SM: That's a valid point. Perhaps we can evaluate different gift options that are more budget-friendly, such as diaries and calendars rather than silver
items. We can also focus on targeting our high-value customers and personalize the gifts to make them more meaningful. This way, we can still maintain
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the practice while managing costs.
FM: I like the idea of targeting high-value customers and personalizing the gifts. It would allow us to allocate our resources more effectively. However,
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we should also assess the impact of these gifts on our overall sales and customer retention. Do we have any data or feedback from customers to support
the effectiveness of this practice?
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SM: That's a great suggestion. I'll work with the sales team to gather data and feedback on the impact of the gifts on customer satisfaction and
retention. This way, we can make an informed decision based on actual results rather than just assumptions.
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FM: Excellent. Let's gather the necessary data and analyze it together. Once we have a clear understanding of the costs and benefits, we can make a
more informed decision about the future of this practice. I appreciate your willingness to explore alternatives and find a balanced solution.
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SM: Thank you for considering alternatives as well. I believe by working together, we can find a solution that meets both our financial goals and the need
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to maintain strong customer relationships.
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In this dialogue, the Financial Manager and the Sales Manager engage in a constructive discussion, considering each other's perspectives and exploring
alternatives. They acknowledge the importance of customer relationships while also addressing the financial concerns. By gathering data and working
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collaboratively, they aim to find a balanced solution that aligns with the company's objectives.
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Q6. You are the General Manager –HR of the company. You want to talk about the effective ways of making good presentations to the Sales staff. Use
the following points to make your presentation.
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Today, I would like to discuss the importance of making good presentations and how they can benefit our company. Effective presentations not only
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enhance our communication skills but also have a significant impact on our sales performance and overall success. Let's delve into the key aspects of
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delivering powerful presentations.
Firstly, let's consider how good presentations can benefit our company. A well-executed presentation can captivate the audience, create a lasting
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impression, and ultimately influence their buying decisions. By delivering compelling presentations, we can effectively convey the value and benefits of
our products or services, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.
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To give a successful presentation, preparation is key. Speakers should invest time in researching their topic, understanding the needs and preferences of
the audience, and structuring their content in a logical and coherent manner. Thorough preparation ensures that the speaker is confident and
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knowledgeable, which in turn instills trust and credibility in the audience.
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Furthermore, a good speaker possesses certain qualities that contribute to an engaging presentation. Clear and articulate communication is crucial, as
well as the ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. A speaker should be enthusiastic, passionate, and able to convey their message with
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conviction. Confidence, poise, and good body language are also essential traits of an effective presenter.
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Keeping the attention of the audience throughout the presentation is vital. To achieve this, a speaker should employ various techniques. Using
storytelling, anecdotes, and real-life examples can grab the audience's attention and make the content relatable. Additionally, incorporating interactive
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elements such as questions, polls, or group activities can actively involve the audience and maintain their interest.
Visual aids play a significant role in enhancing presentations. They provide a visual representation of information, making it easier for the audience to
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understand complex concepts and remember key points. When using visual aids, it is important to keep them simple, visually appealing, and aligned
with the content being presented. Whether it's slides, charts, graphs, or multimedia elements, visual aids should support and reinforce the speaker's
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In conclusion, making good presentations is a skill that can greatly benefit our company. By preparing thoroughly, embodying the qualities of a good
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speaker, engaging the audience effectively, and using visual aids strategically, we can deliver impactful presentations that drive sales and leave a lasting
impression.
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Thank you for your attention, and I encourage you all to apply these principles to your upcoming presentations. Together, we can elevate our sales
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performance and achieve even greater success!
[Your Name]
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General Manager – HR
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Q7. Imagine that your General Manager has asked you to find out the precautions and preparations needed to arrange for the disaster management
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provisions in your company.
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These are the notes you’ve made. Draft a report of about 300 words to your General Manager by expanding the notes into paragraphs.
Identified Dangers
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i. Fire— particularly in areas where a lot of paper is stored
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ii. Earthquake —cracks due to previous earthquake
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Proposals
vi. Important telephone numbers —Hospital, Fire-Brigade, Doctors, senior officials of the company
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Dear [General Manager's Name],
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I hope this report finds you well. As per your request, I have conducted an assessment of the potential dangers and necessary precautions for disaster
management provisions within our company. Below, I have outlined the identified dangers and proposed measures to mitigate them effectively.
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Identified Dangers:
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1. Fire: One of the major concerns is the risk of fire, particularly in areas where a substantial amount of paper is stored. The presence of flammable
materials increases the vulnerability to fire incidents.
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2. Earthquake: Our Company is located in an area prone to seismic activities. Previous earthquakes have left behind visible cracks in the building
structure, making it crucial to address this potential hazard.
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3. Lightning: Inadequate safety measures regarding lightning protection pose a significant risk to our facilities. Without proper precautions, lightning
strikes can lead to severe damage and potential harm to our employees.
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Proposed Measures:
Providing comprehensive fire safety training to our support staff is crucial. This training will equip them with the knowledge and skills required to
respond effectively during a fire emergency, including proper use of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures.
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Visible display of safety regulations throughout our premises will serve as a constant reminder to employees and visitors to adhere to safety protocols.
This will include guidelines on fire safety, emergency evacuation routes, and general safety precautions.
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4. Installation of Hooters:
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5. Highlighted Exit Outlets:
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To facilitate a swift and orderly evacuation, all exit outlets should be clearly marked and well-lit. This will ensure that employees can easily locate and
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access the nearest emergency exits during an emergency situation.
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Maintaining a list of important telephone numbers, including those of hospitals, fire brigades, doctors, and senior company officials, is crucial. This
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information should be readily available and easily accessible to all employees for immediate use during emergencies.
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Establishing an action committee dedicated to disaster management will provide a structured approach to handling emergencies. This committee will be
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responsible for developing emergency response plans, conducting regular drills, and ensuring the overall preparedness of our company.
By implementing these proposed measures, we can significantly enhance our disaster management provisions and strengthen the safety of our
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employees and facilities. I recommend that we prioritize the implementation of these measures to mitigate potential risks effectively.
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Please feel free to reach out should you require any further information or assistance. I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our
company.
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Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
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[Your Designation]
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Learning Science
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Thank You
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