Business communication course in Russia: assessments and concerns

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of teaching business communication in situations of starting professional activity, in situations related to employment and further professional education. Particular attention is paid to the forms of organizing vocational training in Russia. The authors determine the concept of modern business communication and its importance. Not only do the problems of communication attract considerable attention among people of different ages, professions and education, but, above all, they are an essential component of any specialist’s professional competence. A modern specialist needs knowledge in the field of business communications to be able to understand communication partners, establish contacts with them, conduct business conversations, negotiations, and master the basics of public speech. The features of business negotiations are described in the article. Negotiations is business communication with the aim of reaching a joint solution. Throughout our lives, we negotiate, exchange commitments and promises. Whenever two people need to come to an agreement, they must negotiate. Negotiations proceed in the form of business discourse on issues of interest to both parties, and serve to establish cooperation ties. Negotiations differ significantly in their goals: signing a supply contract, a contract for conducting research or design work, an agreement on cooperation and coordination of activities, etc. The authors consider the process of teaching professional business communication in Russia. Business (professional) communication is the most common and complex type of communication between people in society; without it, interaction in the field of economic, legal, diplomatic, commercial, and administrative relations is impossible. The ability to successfully conduct business negotiations, to draw up a business document competently and correctly, and much more has now become an integral part of the professional culture of any person: a manager, a leader at all levels, a referent, an employee. To achieve high performance in almost any professional activity, it is necessary to possess a certain set of information, knowledge, ideas about the rules and principles of business communication. “Business is the ability to talk to people,” say enterprising Americans.