This document proposes using a character wrapper approach to teach business communication skills. It would feature 4 characters - Alisha, Raj, Sid, and Runa - representing different learning styles. A scenario is described where the characters meet after a bad day at work and receive guidance from a passerby "guru" on communication skills. The learner would take on the role of a co-facilitator, discussing concepts with the group and later implementing lessons through simulated work experiences. The characters and platform are designed to be scalable to other topics by changing the learning scenario and instructor only.

1. Business Communication An Introduction to the Learning Scenario and Character Profiles

3. Identify and avoid the common mistakes during meetings

5. Understand and avoid factors that lead to miscommunication

7. Add objective and structure to e-mails

8. Animate the content to achieve desired results

10. These characters are guided by an instructor who takes them through the course content

11. The learner is the “fifth addition” to the wrapper and is likely to empathize with one or more of these characters

14. Relies on intuition rather than logic

15. Depends on others for information

16. Looks at issues from different perspectives

17. Prefers to watch rather than act

19. Requires good, clear explanation rather than practical opportunity

20. Ideas and concepts are more important than people and interpersonal aspects

21. Implements new learning to solve issues

22. Finds practical uses for ideas and theories

23. Likes to experiment with new ideas as long as they have a practical applicationPerception Continuum Thinking

24. Alisha Executive – Marketing Age: 25 Years Instinctive Accommodating | Extraverted | Intuitive | Feeling | Perceiving Raj Senior Manager – Operations Age: 40 Years Character Analytical Assimilating | Introverted | Sensing | Thinking | Judging Profiles Sid Assistant Manager – Human Resources Age: 29 Years Troubleshooter Runa Converging | Extraverted | Sensing | Thinking | Perceiving Manager – Finance Age: 34 Years Creative Diverging | Introverted | Intuitive | Feeling | Judging

26. “What if…?” and “why not?” are two of her most common questions

27. Alisha is a risk-taker at heart, and excels in situations that require her to think on her feet. She relishes having practical, experiential learning, as opposed to lectures and theories

28. On several occasions, her impulsive nature has pushed her into saying and doing things that she ends up regretting later. Because of this, Alisha is often perceived by her colleagues as impatient or pushyDetailed Character Profile

30. In a learning scenario, his questions typically begin with “What...?”, stemming from a need to understand precisely the new things he is about to learn

31. For Raj, abstract concepts and logically sound theories are more important than their practical application

32. Although Raj enjoys having rational conversations with his colleagues, he is generally not regarded as a ‘people’ person, thanks largely to his no-nonsense approachDetailed Character Profile

34. He is mostly interested in the “How…?” of any scenario

35. A problem solver at the core, Sid seeks to make things efficient by making small and careful changes

36. While Sid is an easy going person, he accepts conflicts as a natural part of interpersonal relations, and often gets into them to get his point acrossDetailed Character Profile

38. A very deep thinker, Runa’s questions revolve around the “Why…?” of any issue

39. Her favourite approach to training is to begin from the minutest detail, and slowly work up the big picture, diverging any given information into multiple possibilities

40. Runa is very much a ‘people’ person – always striving to achieve consensus within the group, she frets over the slightest disagreements, and is deeply influenced by other people’s feedback to herDetailed Character Profile

41. How the Characters Would React – A Sample Here is a sample scenario that captures the individual personalities and reactions of our characters in real time The trainer is speaking about the vital role of paraphrasing in ensuring that the communication is clear. The trainer uses the “3C’s model of communication” to get the point across Here is how our characters would react to the situation: Alisha: Okay, paraphrase – summarize the instructions. Got that! What next? Raj: Okay, are there any disadvantages to paraphrasing? Also, in the overall model of 3C’s, what would you say is the importance of paraphrasing? Sid: That sounds interesting. But how exactly do you go about paraphrasing without wasting too much time? Runa: Hmmm…I can see how having my team paraphrase and summarize my instructions would help eliminate any confusion. Excellent idea!

43. As the group starts to chat with one another, it becomes clear that all of them are facing issues relating to different facets of business communication

44. As one them finishes talking about his problem at work, a passerby – who has been overhearing the conversation – drops in and offers to help

45. This passerby assumes the role of the “guru” for the rest of the session

46. Interacting directly with the learner, the guru walks the learner through several concepts addressing the specific issue that was being discussed