LECTURE 1 UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION Communication is

LECTURE 1: UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION ● Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages. ● The essence of communication is sharing, providing data, information, and insights in an exchange that benefits both you and with whom you are communicating.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS ● Stronger decision making and faster problem solving. ● Earlier warning of potential problems. ● Increased productivity and steadier workflow. ● Stronger business relationships. ● Clearer and more persuasive marketing messages.

CHALLENGES FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATORS ● The ongoing development of new Information Technologies. ● The increasingly global nature of business. ● Growing diversity in the workplace and in types of workplace.

MAIN CATEGORIES OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION ● Internal-Operational Communication ● External-Operational Communication ● Personal Communication

COMMUNICATION NETWORKS OF THE ORGANIZATION ● The Formal Network ● The Informal Network

THE FORMAL NETWORK ● The formal network consists of the official, more stable lines of communication. ● Each company has its preferred communication forms or genres for conducting its business.

THE INFORMAL NETWORK ● The informal network, consisting largely of personal communications, is highly complex and ever changing. ● Grapevine

VARIATION IN COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY BY BUSINESS ● How much and what kinds of communicating a business does depends on the nature of the business, its operating plan, its environment, its geographic dispersion, and the people involved.

●WHAT IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE? 12

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ● Organizational culture is the ways of perceiving or doing things; it is the medium of preferred values and practices in which the company’s members do their work. ● Each business has its own organizational culture, which has a strong effect upon, and is strongly affected by, the company’s communication.

A MODEL OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION ● Organizational Contexts ● Professional Contexts ● Personal Contexts

THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Sensing a communication need Defining the situation Considering possible communication strategies Selecting a course of action Composing the message Sending the message Receiving the message Interpreting the message Deciding on a response Replying to the message