CD 227: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS & ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE LECTURE 2 TOPIC: APPLICATION OF COMMUNICATION THEORIES IN THE WORKPLACE Lecture Presenter: Mrs. Maino (Adapt. Aisi, 2012) Wednesday 28th July, 2021 LECTURE OUTLINE ……. • INTRODUCTION 1. Workplace Communication 2. Nature of Workplace Communication 3. Importance of Workplace Communication 4. Customer/Client Communication • CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION 1. Communication = the process of transferring information from the sender to the receiver who decodes the information and acts accordingly. • The source, or where the information or idea comes from; • The message, which is the information or idea that is communicated; • The channel, which is the medium the message is transmitted; • The receiver, who is the person for whom the message is intended. 2. COMMUNICATION THEORY FRAMEWORKS: I. Mechanistic Framework - transfer of information from the sender to the receiver II. Psychological Framework – sharing of thoughts, feelings with others III. Social Framework - interaction between the sender and the receiver IV. Systemic - individual interpretation of same information V. Critical – means used to establish one’s power and authority among other individuals 3. Two main parts of communicating a message (meaning): 1. verbal – information put across by speaking (intentional – 10%) 2. non-verbal – information put across without speaking (unintentional – 90%) Workplace Application: Communication is a process where each one of us specifically assign and engage in the act of conveying a certain meaning so that two or more individuals create a level of understanding that is shared among all parties. 1. WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION • Workplace Communication involves: 1. Visual Communication includes specially designed signs, electronic communication, documents, presentations. 2. Written Communication includes reports, evaluations, emails, instant messages, physical and electronic memos, training materials, etc 3. Verbal Communication includes the use of sounds, specific languages in spoken word 4. Non-Verbal Communication includes what is communicated through body movements, eye contact, facial expressions, etc. 2. NATURE OF WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION • Although there are several ways to communicate in the workplace, the most basic types are external communication and internal communication. • Internal communication regulates and encourages productivity within organization • External communication is used to advertise, sell, respond and build the business, and engages your organization with those you do business with. 3. IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION 3.1 Gravity of Communication in Business ❑ Communication is the: • • Crucial decisive factor in business relations; and It very much depends on saying the right things at the right time and at the right place when dealing with partners, customers, stakeholders, media and, sometimes, even competitors. • Miscommunication or ambiguity can ruin your chances of survival in today's competitive business environment. • Maintaining professional protocol in oral and written business communication is extremely important and must not be taken lightly. 3.2 Importance of Managing Human Resources: • This is one resource that doesn't follow any principle of management, economics, psychology or any other social science! • It is most random and volatile resource which must be managed with great skill to achieve desired organizational outcomes. • Communication is that element which builds and keeps the organizational network moving towards set outcomes. 3.3 Communication in the workplace is diverse; – Vertical – Horizontal – parallel organizational levels • ….. should conform to the hierarchy prescribed by the organization. • For example, it involves interpersonal communication between colleagues, superiors and subordinates and vice versa, and therefore workplace communication skills are extremely important in getting right. 3.4 Grapevine Communication: ▪ Advantages include: ▪ Builds a strong bond among peer groups; ▪ Satisfies communication needs and reduces emotional outbursts and reactions; Provides informal feedback on organizational changes, if implemented. ▪ ▪ Disadvantages include: ▪ ▪ ▪ Dangerous and not healthy for an organization, if not monitored; Grapevine channels distort/exaggerate contents of messages; May result in personalization and character assassination, etc. ▪ Grapevine channels can be moderated , however, cannot be eliminated 4. CUSTOMER/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP 4.1 Customer – party that receives or consumes goods/ services, and has the ability to choose from what is provided ➢Successful businesses provide excellent service by: i. Handling customer complaints promptly and effectively; ii. Diffusing any instance of customer complaint through quick resolution of the problem; iii. providing free product or service discount offers 4.2 Client – person or group that use the professional advice or services provided by your organization. ➢ Building customer relations involves acting as a resource for your client base. ➢Offering resources include: i. directing customers to related areas of business within the industry you occupy ; ii. or share networks of contacts with other business owners, your clients see you as a valuable resource. CONCLUSION Communication Needs Determine Who and How One Communicates with Those around him or her. REFERENCES Aisi, Mary. (2012). Gravity of Communication in Business. Unitech Printery. PNG. Cambridge English Dictionary (2017) Customer Relations. Cambridge University Press. Great Britain. Conrad, David. (2014). Workplace Communication Problems: Inquiries by Employees and Applicable Solutions. Journal of Business Studies Quarterly. Vol.4.No.4: 105 -116. Pace, R. W. & Faules, D. F. (1989). Organizational Communication, (2nd ed.). New Jersey, USA: Prentice-Hall. Stohl, C. (1995). Organizational Communication: Connectedness in Action. London: SAGE END OF LECTURE