2. Lecture 1: Understanding Workplace Communication
(Chap 1)
Learning Outcomes:
Communication and Business Communication
The Importance of Communication
Main Challenges Facing Business Communications Today
Three Main Categories of Business Communication
Communication Networks
The Context of Communication
The Process of Communication
3. Communication
“It is a process of transmitting information, thoughts, opinions,
messages, facts, ideas or emotions, and understanding from one
person, place or thing to another person, place or thing.” – Dr. C. B.
Memoria
4. Business Communication and Why it
matters?
“The exchange of ideas, news, and views in connection with the
business among the related parties is called business
communication.” – W.H. Meaning
Why Business Communication Matters?
2 Reasons
To benefit you (Student)
To benefit the business and industry.
5. Business Communication For You
Because communication is so important in business, businesses want and
need people with good communication skills.
You will need to request information, discuss problems, give instructions, work
in teams, and interact with colleagues and clients to achieve cooperation and
team efficiency.
Nothing puts you in the ‘poor leader’ category more swiftly than inadequate
communication skills.
6. Current Challenges for Business
Communication
Challenge#1: The ongoing development of new Information
Technologies.
In addition to the email, emergence of ‘New Media’.
Need for Social Intelligence - refers to the ability to quickly assess the
emotions of those around them and adapt their words, tone, and gestures
accordingly
Emerging need for employees to have “adaptive thinking”, a willingness to
“embrace change”, and “fierce problem-solving skills”
7. Current Challenges for Business
Communication (Contd.)
Challenge#2: Increasing Globalization and Workplace Diversity
Likelihood of working on a global team is increasing. Cross Cultural
Competency, thus, should be a part of your skillset.
Different generations working together.
8. Three Categories of Business
Communication
Internal Operational Communication: Occurs in conducting work within a
business.
Orders, instructions, written and oral exchanges among employees about work matters.
Writing and discussing reports, Assignments, ideas etc.
External Operational Communication: Work-related communicating that a
business does with people or groups outside the business
Personal Selling
Telephoning
Advertising
Writing Messages
Personal Communication: Non-operational communication that employees do
with colleagues or outsiders.
Non business related information/feelings
Affects Employee Attitude and Attitude Affects Employee Performance
9. Communication Networks of the
Organizations
Formal Networks
Informal Networks
Which one do you think includes personal communication?
10. A Model of Business Communication
Communication
Context
• Organizational
Context
• Professional
Contexts
• Personal
Contexts
Communicator 1
• Senses a
communication need
• Defines the situation
• Considers possible
communication
strategies
• Selects a course of
action
• Composes the
message
• Sends the message
Communicator
2
• Receives the message
• Interprets the message
• Decides on a response
• Reply to the message
Initial Message
Responding
Message
11. A Model of Business Communication
(Contd.)
A bit more on the contexts..
Organizational Contexts
Organizational culture
Your communication is largely shaped by the organization for whom you speak
Professional Context
Different people possess different kinds of expertise, speak differently and have different
perspectives
Personal Context
Depends on the genes you inherited, your family and upbringing, your schooling, your life
experiences and culture
Your current circumstances
12. Wrapping it up..
Importance of Communication to You and to Business
Current Challenges
Three main Forms of Communication
Formal and Informal Networks
Process of Communication
