Business communication BBS 2nd year question paper 2081

In Ellen Goodman’s “The Company Man,” Phil’s wife carefully controls her non-verbal cues when the company president praises Phil’s workaholism because she understands the values of the corporate world and the situation she is in. Although Phil’s dedication to work ultimately destroys his family life and contributes to his early death, the president views it as a virtue. Phil’s wife suppresses her grief, anger, and resentment because openly showing them—through facial expressions or body language—would challenge the company’s ideology and seem inappropriate at a formal moment. Her controlled expression reflects emotional restraint, social awareness, and quiet dignity.

The text shows that Phil’s wife knows this is not the time or place to reveal the truth about her husband’s suffering. Her silence and neutral expression become a form of communication. By hiding her true feelings, she protects her husband’s professional image and avoids confrontation. This moment highlights the irony of the story: the company praises Phil only after his death, valuing his productivity more than his humanity. Her nonverbal restraint exposes how emotions are often suppressed in professional environments.

From both the text and real-life business experience, non-verbal cues play a crucial role in business dealings. Facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and tone often communicate more than words. A calm expression can signal professionalism, confidence, and respect, while visible frustration or grief may be misinterpreted as weakness or disagreement. In meetings, negotiations, or corporate events, people frequently manage their body language to maintain harmony, protect relationships, and achieve goals. Like Phil’s wife, individuals often rely on non-verbal control to navigate professional expectations—even when their inner feelings tell a very different story.

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Point out the skills of an excellent sales representative with reference to Phineas T. Barnum's famous lecture "Advertise Your Business." Also examine how some of these skills have been employed in any interesting advertisement you have watched, read, or seen.

Phineas T. Barnum’s lecture “Advertise Your Business” highlights several key skills that make an excellent sales representative. First, Barnum stresses the importance of visibility and boldness. A good salesperson knows how to attract attention and make people curious. Barnum famously believed that no business can succeed if people do not know it exists. This means a sales representative must confidently present products, use catchy messages, and ensure the product stands out from competitors.

Second, Barnum emphasizes understanding human psychology. He explains that people are drawn to novelty, excitement, and stories rather than plain facts. An excellent sales representative knows how to appeal to emotions, create interest, and make customers feel that they are part of something special. Honesty is also important for long-term success; exaggeration may attract customers once, but trust keeps them coming back. Thus, persuasion combined with credibility is a vital skill.

These skills can be clearly seen in many modern advertisements. For example, Apple’s product advertisements use simple but striking visuals to grab attention, fulfilling Barnum’s idea of bold visibility. They also focus on how the product will improve the user’s life rather than listing technical details, appealing to emotions and imagination. Similarly, storytelling, strong branding, and repetition help customers remember the product. Through such strategies, modern advertisers continue to apply Barnum’s principles, proving that his ideas about effective selling remain relevant today.

6. Deriving ideas about beauty from Susan Sontag's essay "Beauty," write a critical commentary on the ideas of beauty as endorsed by the products or services, which seek to attract their consumers by presenting females as objects of male's sexual desire.