A commonly accepted definition for communication is that it is the two way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which the participants not only exchange information but also create and share meaning (communication). Nevertheless, one thing that is clear about communication is that it is a two way process. Business communication, if not effective, can cause much loss of time and energy. Studies conducted by Tandberg have shown that around 1.1 billion is lost by businesses on fruitless communications. They advice that, an efficient and thoughtful implementation would bring down costs in communication (Goldman, H.2009). The costs of an AV system and other communication equipments have now started to daunt the people in key posts like the training manager and facility manager. Recently, there has been a trend to ease the ways of communication in business and it has developed into an entity of its own.
General Trends in Business Communication Most of the people involved in this field express regret that they have overlooked the most important aspect of communications. The time when the written word occupied the centre point has now started to withdraw to the backstage. People feel that they should be more attentive than speaking. Often mistakes have been committed because somebody did not listen or hear something clearly. Even the most careful of the listeners forgets half of what they hear immediately after the process of hearing itself. In fact, within eight hours, the memorized content diminishes to a third of the original and within two months, this goes down to twenty five percent. This has been established by researches in the Florida State University and Michigan State University. This is attributed to the lack of training that we have received in listening. The training we have received may consist only of a few requests like Pay attention, listen here etc., by an irritated teacher. People have been trained in the task of listening by experts like Ralph Nicholas and Leonard Stevens.
While face-to-face communication depends on the listening factor, trends in technology have helped to reinvent business communication. It has done the task of reinvigorating the boardrooms and training-control rooms into high performance gear. Because of this advance in technology, the workplaces have become more communication oriented with lobby display and digital signage applications. Programs and expos, which provide communication solutions to businesses, are happening around the country (Harward business school. 1999).
On another front, the VoIP communications have also shown substantial growth among the US Businesses. All verticals are covered within these trends. The potential too is immense for this type of communication. Mostly it covers the headquarters than the suburbs. It aims for unified communications system. It is slowly replacing the use of telephone (A Study of Overall Trends in the US Business VoIP and Unified Communications Market. 2009). Other methods of communication in the office still includes the memo, the business letter, the notice board and the signs in many offices even these days.
At my Office With the prospects of business communication increasing every day, we find it necessary to have very good communication, in our office. Everyone was provided with an email address, by the Department head, the Director. Under the auspices of the Chief Information Officer, the hierarchy was marked out clearly by giving access to the website, which gives information on whos who and who is to be approached for what. This made matters clearer and much time was saved in transacting files. It has also served as an information portal, handling some amount of the public that might otherwise have been forced to approach us. Earlier, much time was lost between the assurance by mouth and actual action taken. Now, individual responsibility has increased, due to timings, which has to be noted on every email (Administrative Office of the Trial Court. 2009 Verhoef, 2009).
What I have done personally, is that I have kept an electronic calendar in the system. As soon as the days work starts, it helps me with reminders, which in turn helps me to plan the day well in advance. Files and trials, which had dropped out of mind, but would occur within the day is automatically readied with the improvement in the system. This is doubly checked with the email that arrives within half an hour, of the start of the day. It contains reminders and duties that are to be attended to, during the days work. I would not hesitate to say that the main difference from the recent past is the use of highly automated system in the office. It makes work more accurate and provides quick information, making everything much more reliable. Care is also taken to be rid of these emails, the same day, so as not to deal with this junk the next day.
So much about the use of electronic media. The bulletin boards and notice boards that were dropping out of attention of the people working around here, has picked up some freshness, due to a liberal use of color, and stranger shapes. The witty remarks and humorous comments are even waited for, whilst office hours, which could at times be very dragging. The main thing about these comments is that they are not dragging, but stick to the matter. One doesnt have to go digging to get information out of the boards. I am now waiting for the day when the notice board gets automated and becomes more colorful like the rest of the office.
Conclusion The dramatic changes in the visual and audio fields have not completely seeped into our office. Anyway, the changing trend, in this direction is very welcome and fulfilling, as it makes the working atmosphere more efficient and tension free (Bowman.2009).
General Trends in Business Communication Most of the people involved in this field express regret that they have overlooked the most important aspect of communications. The time when the written word occupied the centre point has now started to withdraw to the backstage. People feel that they should be more attentive than speaking. Often mistakes have been committed because somebody did not listen or hear something clearly. Even the most careful of the listeners forgets half of what they hear immediately after the process of hearing itself. In fact, within eight hours, the memorized content diminishes to a third of the original and within two months, this goes down to twenty five percent. This has been established by researches in the Florida State University and Michigan State University. This is attributed to the lack of training that we have received in listening. The training we have received may consist only of a few requests like Pay attention, listen here etc., by an irritated teacher. People have been trained in the task of listening by experts like Ralph Nicholas and Leonard Stevens.
While face-to-face communication depends on the listening factor, trends in technology have helped to reinvent business communication. It has done the task of reinvigorating the boardrooms and training-control rooms into high performance gear. Because of this advance in technology, the workplaces have become more communication oriented with lobby display and digital signage applications. Programs and expos, which provide communication solutions to businesses, are happening around the country (Harward business school. 1999).
On another front, the VoIP communications have also shown substantial growth among the US Businesses. All verticals are covered within these trends. The potential too is immense for this type of communication. Mostly it covers the headquarters than the suburbs. It aims for unified communications system. It is slowly replacing the use of telephone (A Study of Overall Trends in the US Business VoIP and Unified Communications Market. 2009). Other methods of communication in the office still includes the memo, the business letter, the notice board and the signs in many offices even these days.
At my Office With the prospects of business communication increasing every day, we find it necessary to have very good communication, in our office. Everyone was provided with an email address, by the Department head, the Director. Under the auspices of the Chief Information Officer, the hierarchy was marked out clearly by giving access to the website, which gives information on whos who and who is to be approached for what. This made matters clearer and much time was saved in transacting files. It has also served as an information portal, handling some amount of the public that might otherwise have been forced to approach us. Earlier, much time was lost between the assurance by mouth and actual action taken. Now, individual responsibility has increased, due to timings, which has to be noted on every email (Administrative Office of the Trial Court. 2009 Verhoef, 2009).
What I have done personally, is that I have kept an electronic calendar in the system. As soon as the days work starts, it helps me with reminders, which in turn helps me to plan the day well in advance. Files and trials, which had dropped out of mind, but would occur within the day is automatically readied with the improvement in the system. This is doubly checked with the email that arrives within half an hour, of the start of the day. It contains reminders and duties that are to be attended to, during the days work. I would not hesitate to say that the main difference from the recent past is the use of highly automated system in the office. It makes work more accurate and provides quick information, making everything much more reliable. Care is also taken to be rid of these emails, the same day, so as not to deal with this junk the next day.
So much about the use of electronic media. The bulletin boards and notice boards that were dropping out of attention of the people working around here, has picked up some freshness, due to a liberal use of color, and stranger shapes. The witty remarks and humorous comments are even waited for, whilst office hours, which could at times be very dragging. The main thing about these comments is that they are not dragging, but stick to the matter. One doesnt have to go digging to get information out of the boards. I am now waiting for the day when the notice board gets automated and becomes more colorful like the rest of the office.
Conclusion The dramatic changes in the visual and audio fields have not completely seeped into our office. Anyway, the changing trend, in this direction is very welcome and fulfilling, as it makes the working atmosphere more efficient and tension free (Bowman.2009).
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