Communication

in the Workplace
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Megan Cabot is one of 12 workers in

Department X. She has strong leadership
qualities, and all her co-workers look up to
her. She dominates conversations with them
and expresses strong viewpoints on most
matters. Although she is a great worker, her
dominating personality has caused
problems for you, the new manager of
Department X. Today you directed your
department to change a certain work
procedure. The change is one that has
proven superior where ever it has been
tried. Soon after giving the directive, you
noticed the workers talking in a group with
Megan the obvious leader. In a few minutes
Lecture 1
she Khan
appeared in your office. Weve
thought
Shahzeb
Communication at Workplace

A few questions to set you

thinking
Companies requiring
extensive communication

?
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

A few questions to set you

thinking
Companies requiring little
communication
?

Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

A few questions to set you

thinking
Types of technology used within
organizations to facilitate communication
?

Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

More Questions
How much humour should be allowed
within a firm?
How much personal communication
should be allowed within an
organization?
Examples of statements misunderstood?
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Chapter Objectives
Importance of communication to
you and business
Three main forms of communication
in the business organization
Formal and informal
communication networks in the
business organization
Process of communication among
people
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

The Importance of
Communication Skills to You
Business needs good communicators
Evidence found in numerous surveys
Top business skill needed for success
96 percent executives said employees must
have good communication skills to go ahead
The deans of the 90 programs surveyed see
communication as one of the greatest
teaching priorities of an MBA program

High correlation between

communication skills and income
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

 Your performance will be judged

largely by your ability to
communicate.
If you perform (communicate) well,
you are likely to be rewarded with
advancement.
The higher you advance the more you
will need your communication ability.
The evidence is clear: improving your
communication skills improves your
chances for success in business.
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Why Business Needs to

Communicate
Communication is vital to every part of
business.
Example pharmaceutical manufacturer.
They process information with computers,
write messages, fill out forms, give and
receive orders and talk over the telephone.
Salespeople receive instructions and
information from the home office and
send back orders and regular reports of
their activities.
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

 Executives use written and oral

messages to initiate business with
customers and other companies
and respond to incoming
messages.
Production supervisors receive
work orders, issue instructions,
and submit production summaries.
Research specialists receive
problems to investigate and later
communicate their findings
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Main Forms of Communication

in Business
Internal-operational
communication
External operational
communication
Personal communication
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Communication Network of
the Organization
Information flow in a business
forms a complex network.
Information flow is mainly
downward, but upward
communication is also important.
The Formal Network
The Informal Network
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Variation in Communication
Activity by Business
The extent of a businesss
communication depends on

the nature of the business,

Its operating plan,
Its geographical dispersion,
and the people involved.

Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

The Process of Human

Communication
The beginning: A message sent
Entry in the sensory world
Detection by senses
The filtering process
Formation and sending of
response
The cycle repeated
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Some Basic Truths about

Communication
Messages send are not always
received

Resulting stress on adaptation.

Meaning is in the mind

The symbols of communication are

imperfect
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Adaptation
The communication process shows the
need for adaptation; an underlying
principle in our study of communication.
By adaptation we mean fittign the
message to the recipient.
Using words and other symbols that they
understand.
Adaptation is the foundation of our
review of communication principles in
this course.
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace

Conclusion
Shahzeb Khan

Lecture 1
Communication at Workplace