Communication·Course
Business Communication & Negotiation
Comprehensive course on negotiations, networking, self-presentation, public speaking and managing business relationships
Part of the Business & Economics track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Run a negotiation toward a win–win instead of a standoff.
- 02Read a room and adapt your message to it.
- 03Build a professional network that actually creates value.
- 04Deliver a talk that holds a room's attention.
- 05Defuse conflict and hard conversations without losing the relationship.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~4 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). Business Communication & Negotiation [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/business-communication
- MLA
Stoa. “Business Communication & Negotiation.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/business-communication.
- Chicago
Stoa. “Business Communication & Negotiation.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/business-communication.
§ 02 — Curriculum
14 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M IFundamentals of Business CommunicationVerbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, emotional intelligence in business interaction3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IISelf-Presentation and Personal BrandElevator pitch, positioning, impression management, online presence, and social media3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIINetworking: Strategies and ToolsWhere and how to meet people, small talk, follow-up, maintaining a contact database, building a network3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IVBuilding and Maintaining Business RelationshipsTrust, mutual value, mentorship, long-term business relationships, social capital3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VThe Art of NegotiationPreparation for negotiations, BATNA, ZOPA, win–win strategies, tactics and techniques3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIPersuasion and InfluenceCialdini’s principles, argumentation, handling objections, framing, storytelling3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIBusiness Meetings and EventsPlanning and conducting meetings, business etiquette, conferences and trade shows, follow-up3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIIClosing DealsReadiness signals, closing techniques, handling price, contract stage3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IXDifficult Negotiations and ConflictsManipulation, deadlocks, mediation, emotions in negotiations, dealing with difficult counterparts3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XPublic SpeakingSpeech structure, working with the audience, visual aids, overcoming fear3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XICross-Cultural CommunicationNegotiation practices across cultures, Hofstede’s model, adapting communication style3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XIIBusiness Correspondence and Digital CommunicationEmail etiquette, messengers, video calls, presentations, working with remote teams3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XIIISales and Customer RelationsTypes of sales (B2B/B2C), sales funnel, discovery calls, managing expectations, retention3 articles
18 minBegin → - M XIVLeadership and Team ManagementLeadership styles, delegation, feedback, motivation, managing team conflicts3 articles
18 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Effectively use verbal and nonverbal communication techniques in a business context.
Plan and conduct negotiations using win–win strategies, persuasion techniques, and conflict management.
Build and develop a professional network, creating mutual value and long-term partnerships.
Present confidently in public, manage a team, and adapt communication style to diverse cultural contexts.
§ 04 — Practices