Barriers to Communication in an Organization
Business is all about building relationships, but without effective communication it's nearly impossible to create those relationships on a strong foundation. Therefore, it's vital to identify the barriers of business communication to get your message across clearly. By being sensitive to the needs of your business associates, you will have an easier time communicating.
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Distance
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Although teleconferencing has provided assistance in bridging communication gaps between business associates in different geographic locations, it is often viewed as less effective than meeting face-to-face. Part of the problem stems from being unable to read facial expressions and body language, which can lead to misconstrued reactions. Recent technological advances in combining the Internet, video conferencing and multimedia technology assist in bridging this gap so that business associates have the ability to put a name to the face and to better comprehend the nature of their conversations.
Culture
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Businesses working across cultures must understand and accept their cultural differences to work together effectively. According to an "Inc." article, ethnocentrism leads to the belief that your way of conducting business is logical, when in reality that logic stems from your own cultural upbringing. In addition, factors such as language, environment, social history, conceptions of authority and nonverbal communication play a role in cross-cultural business interactions. It's important to hire appropriate cultural consultants, including translators, to communicate effectively across cultures.
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Clarity
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In business, employees sometimes lack motivation as a result of unclear communication about their roles in an organization. It's vital for people to feel driven by a purpose, and when you educate employees on how their company plays a role in a larger commitment, those employees are more likely to feel motivated about doing their jobs well. Additionally, a lack of recognition is problematic in retaining employees. Conveying appreciation for work that is done well is important to keeping the best workers.
Distractions
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Business interactions must take place in an environment where both parties are able to pay attention to one another free of distractions. Having a television or radio on, the constant noise of sirens or bells, poor technological connections, the temperature of the room and even the appearance of the speaker can be distracting to an audience. While not all distractions can be avoided, it's important to eliminate as many as possible so that your message comes through effectively.
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References
- Photo Credit Businessman giving a speech image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
