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.
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
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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
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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
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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!
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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