How to Manage Communications in Business

An important part of effective business communication involves selecting apprioriate channels of communication.

Business communication takes place within the workplace and plays a significant role in maintaining a successful business. Business communication works to send information and influence behavior. This creates the need for effective workplace communication. Effective communication refers to when your listener(s) interpret your message as you intended.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Phone

Instructions

1. Develop your business's communication hierarchy through company policies and regulations. For example, a system for your employees to request days off should be implemented into the workplace.

2. Define your audience before sending your message. Will you be speaking to an individual employee, a specific department, or your staff in its entirety? Knowing your audience will help you determine how to most effectively communicate your message.

3. Select a communication channel. Communication channel refers to the medium you will use to send your message. Examples of communication channels used in workplace communication include email and staff meetings.

4. Communicate your message in a concise fashion. The simpler the message, the less likely your message will be misinterpreted.

5. Obtain feedback. Feedback helps to ensure your message has been interpreted as intended. Feedback also aids in effective communication by clarifying any possible areas of confusion.

Tips & Warnings

• Author of "Leadership Chronicles of a Corporate Stage," Susan J. Bethanis recommends in a Macroworld article to use multiple channels for communicating your message, as people react differently to different communication channels. Using Intranet gripe sites prove to be an effective way to collect feedback from employees, according to Pearson Education, the leading educational publisher.

• Utilizing the wrong communication channel can lead to information overload. For instance, an email about a promotion may become lost with other email messages, making a letter a better communication channel to inform your employee of a promotion.

References

• Macroworld: Technology- Is It Helping or Hindering Communication in Your Workplace?
• Pearson Education: Student PowerPoints