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DetailUnderstanding your customersEffective communication in the workplace
ProviderThe Open UniversityThe Open University
Our rating3.54.0
CostFreeFree
Time8 hours24 hours
LevelIntermediateBeginner
Credentialstatement of participation (free)digital badge and statement of participation (free)
Open toWorldwideWorldwide
Free inWorldwideWorldwide
Content written forAny countryAny country
SummaryA university short course on how consumers and business buyers behave, and how to use that understanding to build more valuable customer relationships. It helps small business owners and marketers see service from the customer's side.An eight-week badged course on communicating well at work, with a full week on listening, active listening, asking effective questions and empathy. It helps anyone who wants to be better understood and to understand colleagues and customers better.
Objectives
  • Explain the essential concepts of consumer and business buying behaviour
  • Describe how business-to-business marketing differs from consumer marketing
  • Improve the value of customer relationships
  • Practise active listening: focus on the speaker, avoid interrupting, show interest, stay non-judgemental and give feedback
  • Ask effective questions to check understanding
  • Read and use non-verbal communication
  • Handle challenging conversations and communicate across diverse teams
  • Reflect on your own communication skills and plan how to develop them
Things to know
  • Framed through marketing and buyer behaviour rather than frontline service techniques
  • Content last updated November 2020
  • Rating is based on only 14 learner ratings
  • Level 2 (intermediate) OpenLearn course; no digital badge, statement of participation only
  • Content last updated April 2020
  • Listening and empathy are the focus of Week 2; the rest of the course covers wider communication
  • Badge requires completing the course and passing the Week 4 and Week 8 badge quizzes
Our course pageUnderstanding your customersEffective communication in the workplace

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