BUS1003/BUS105: Portfolio - End of Year Dinner at Commonwealth Bank

This assignment is a portfolio assessment for the BUS1003/BUS105 Business Communication and Academic Writing course, focusing on the role of a Communications Manager at Commonwealth Bank coordinating an end-of-year dinner. Part A includes communication materials such as an internal email to staff, an external letter to clients, and a progress report detailing the event's planning stages, including venue confirmation, menu selection, entertainment arrangements, and budget considerations. The report also outlines the event's structure, attendees, purpose, venue details, and program. Part B is a reflection on the course, discussing the importance of writing skills in business and academic contexts, addressing misconceptions about formal writing, and highlighting the development of strengths and weaknesses in communication. The reflection also covers strategies for improvement, including vocabulary expansion, grammar practice, and seeking feedback from lecturers, with an emphasis on continuous learning and self-improvement through practice and collaboration.

Assessment
Name:
Instructor
:

Asessment
Part A
To All Staff Members,
I hope this email finds you well. I would like to invite you to our annual end of year dinner party.
It is yet another opportunity for Commonwealth Bank to come together and share this joyous time. This
event is a time for us to reflect on how the year has been. We will dine together, share insights as we
enjoy the evening. We anticipate that the evening will be exciting, fun and fruitful. Please create time
and join us as we celebrate another successful year.
This evening will not be for staffs only. Our esteemed clients and other special guests will grace
the occasion. These visitors are our stakeholders and very important to the organization. They have
contributed to the company’s success and the far we have come. We are pleased to celebrate the dinner
event with them. Take this opportunity to interact with these guests and exchange ideas. Listen to their
views and opinions about our organization. Also, learn new ideas and improve yourself professionally
and personally. The event will be on 15th December 2018 at Westin Hotel, Sydney. The event will begin
at 6.00pm and conclude at 11 pm. Please be punctual and observe formal dress code for a dinner event.
External Letter
I am glad to invite you to our company’s annual dinner event. Every end of the year we host a
dinner party to celebrate a successful business year. It is also an opportunity for us to share time with
each other and be thankful. You are an esteemed stakeholder in our organization, and we would like
you to grace this occasion with your presence. The event will be held on 15th December 2018 at Westin
Hotel at Martin’s Place. The evening will be filled with entertainment, foods, drinks and make merry.
Various personalities will address the guests with essential speeches. Become a part of this event and
have a spectacular experience that will recap the year.
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To our clients, this evening will be an ideal time for you to come and meet all the staffs of The
event will begin at 6 pm and end at 11 pm. Commonwealth Bank. Know them on a personal level and
share all the insight you wish. Come and have a fun time with the people who serve you. In this case, it
will not be business but pleasure. As we interact with each other, we will evaluate how the year was.
This chance could be time to reflect and point areas of interest. It could also be an opportunity of
exchanging ideas that could improve customer service and experience to all. Commonwealth Bank
values customer and stakeholder relationship. We are happy to bond with whatever topic you would
like to discuss. Feel very much welcome to our annual dinner party.
Progress Report
So far, the plans for the dinner events are progressing steadily. The venue has been confirmed,
and preparations are underway. The management needs to know the actual number of attendees. For
now, we cannot give an accurate figure. We need to provide guest time to confirm their attendants.
Nevertheless, I will make sure that the management will have the number punctually. I am aware the
knowing the number of people influences some of the decisions and plans for the venue. As we wait for
the guest to confirm attendance, the particular hall has been booked.
Three days to the event, the hall will be decorated and organized. The decorations have already
been purchased and transported to Westin Hotel. I would like to bring your attention to the menu of
that evening. Due to the diversity of our guests. The hotel will provide a variety of foods and assorted
fruits. Beverages will also be accommodative to our guests.
The type of entertainment has been determined, and arrangements are underway. We will have
performing artists such as musicians and comedians. These arrangements are strictly observing the
budget allocated to entertainment. The hotel has promised to provide security. We do not have to hire
private security as we had speculated. We will discuss with the hotel manager how much protection we
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will need. We will also survey the hall and determine the particular spot security personnel ought to
stand.
The budget for this event is as we planned but there are minor unexpected eventualities that
could easily be handled. However, the planning is still at its early stages; so, unforeseen issues may
emerge. In case this happens, I will consult with you, and we will forge the way forward. As the other
arrangements are going on, I will ensure that the program of the evening has been prepared. I have
talked to all the people who are expected to make a speech. They have agreed, and I will follow up on
their preparation. Most of the arrangements and plans are moving well, and we do not have significant
issues.
Report Structure
The following people are attendees:
 The company CEO, Peter Smith.
 Distinguished guests
 150 members of Commonwealth Bank.
The purpose of the dinner event is to:
 Socialize and enjoy the evening with other people.
 Exchange ideas and share concerns of the company.
 Thanksgiving for a fruitful year and anticipating yet another prosperous one.
 Listening to the speeches from various guests. These speeches are resourceful because they are
from professionals and experienced entrepreneurs.
 This dinner event creates an informal environment for staffs and other guests to interact with
each other. This is a chance to build loyalty with clients and potential ones.
Venue:
 Westin Hotel at Martin’s Place, Sydney.
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 Time is 6pm to 11pm.
 The executive meeting room, at the top floor where there is a scenic view.
Program:
 Arrival of guests-meet and greet, photography.
 Welcoming note from the master of ceremony.
 Dining and wining, interaction with each other.
 Speeches from the chosen guests.
 Entertainment.
 Vote of thanks.
 Further meet and greet.
 Leaving at pleasure.
Entertainment
 Hope Music Band.
 Master of ceremony-Don Daniel.
 Jason Walker, Harry Matthews & Aston Preston-Comedians.
 Food, Beverages, Hospitality & Security-Westin Hotel.
Part B
Reflection
This course in business and academic writing has been an educative unit. Throughout the
course, I realized the essence of writing skills in my future courses and career (Savin-Baden & Society for
Research into Higher Education 2008,p 34). As per my perspective, I consider writing skills as a
foundation of communication. After understanding the importance of this course, I paid more attention
and focused on it. Before going through this course, I had numerous misconceptions about formal
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writing and other areas of academic and business writing. Currently, those misconceptions have been
corrected and clarified.
This unit has impacted my knowledge, perspective and views of life. I am ready to go through
other course using the skills I acquired from this course. I have learned how to write different forms of
letters, essays, and other vital documents. In future, I desire to become a business person. My
knowledge in writing official letters, memos, emails and other reports is critical. Writing in business is a
fundamental form of communication. Through writing, one portrays professionalism and competence
(Johnson 2016). It determines the success of a success. Understanding this fact encourages me to
continue practicing and enhancing my skills and knowledge. Perfecting my skills and expertise will equip
me to train employees or subordinates without these skills. Excellent writing skills are not just for
passing examinations and going through higher education. They are essential for the entirety of my life
and others.
Going through this course of writing has revealed the essence of communication. Learning how
to express myself through writing determines how well a message will be received. Proper writing skills
will accurately communicate the intended message (Brounstein, Bell, Smith, Isbell, & Orr 2014, p26). The
audiences will interpret the particular item or subject relayed in the written information. Poor written
communication skills may result in misunderstandings, wrong interpretations, and several other issues.
Written communication could be the difference between success and failure in business. Many people
do not understand this fact, and hence, they lack to give the necessary attention.
This course, the assessment 2 and feedback from the lecturer has increased my self-awareness. I
discovered that I enjoy writing and it is one of my hobbies now. Since this discovery, I spend my leisure
time writing on various topics of interest. I have increased my sociability with the sole purpose of
learning from other people and getting inspiration for new topics. Other peers have also supported my
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experience. I have received help from classmates who are better than me. They are part of the reason I
have come this far.
Through the learning process, I have identified my strengths and weaknesses. This discovery is
essential for me because I will establish methods of capitalizing on my strengths and suppressing my
shortcomings. Some of the strengths I have found are the ability to be a team player. I work well with
other, and I have a high sense of responsibility for my role in a team. This strength has enabled me to
learn a lot from others as I work with them.
Since I am a social person, I enjoy interacting with other people. As I spend time with peers and
other people, I get relevant knowledge regarding this course. I have managed to know beyond the
course outline. I believe that learning is a continuous process and it goes on even after completing the
curriculum and program of study. This course has taught me the general knowledge that I will apply in
the other classes I am yet to finish.
While going through the course, I also identified weaknesses. There were some areas that I need
to practice because I was a slow learner. I need to improve my grammar because proper writing requires
high-quality grammar. One challenge I am facing is going through my work keenly. Some of the mistakes
in my work are minor and could easily be corrected through keenness. I will find ideal methods of
addressing my challenges and begin resolving these issues immediately.
The first step of academic practice will be learning new vocabulary. I would like to become an
influential writer and excel in my writing skills. I will only achieve this goal by practicing and
understanding the rules of writing. Through this practice, I will also strengthen my reading, listening and
critical thinking skills. I also believe my self-confidence in communication will also increase. I will present
my arguments and ideas coherently and be passing on the message I intend (Means & Rankin 2010 p49).
Such a position will be motivating and encouraging me to pursue higher levels of success.
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Some of my challenges require intervention from my lecturer. I will utilize the availability of my
lecturer and ask questions where I face difficulties. Such help will clarify areas I do not understand and
probably even get more insight. Our lecturers are available and always accessible in case students
require assistance. I plan to use this opportunity wisely and as often as I need it. Having a good
relationship with my lecturers is vital because of their support.
I have noticed that helping others with problems they have in writing is essential. Most people
think sharing your knowledge is redundant. This is a misconception, and it is misleading. By helping
others, I have realized self-improvement. When you teach another person something, it makes you
better than before. It is also motivating to know how much you comprehend a specific concept that you
are showing a friend.
Working in groups is yet another ideal method of practicing. Two people may not know a
solution to a problem they are solving. A group, on the other hand, will utilize the knowledge among
members and resolve the issue (Savin-Baden & Society for Research into Higher Education 2008,p77).
Groups also sharpen each other intelligence by sharing ideas. I like my peers because together, we make
a diverse group. Each member’s contribution is resourceful and relevant. Working together in groups is
fast and covers more work than individual working alone.
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References
Bailey, S. 2018. Academic writing: A handbook for international students. New York : Routledge.
Brounstein, M., Bell, A. H., Smith, D. M., Isbell, C., & Orr, A. T. 2014. Business communication. Toronto :
John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.
Johnson, A. P. 2016. Academic Writing. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Means, T. L., & Rankin, D. S. 2010. Business communication. Mason, OH: South-Western Centage
Learning.
Savin-Baden, M., & Society for Research into Higher Education. 2008. Learning spaces: Creating
opportunities for knowledge creation in academic life. Maidenhead, England: McGraw
Hill/Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.
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