1. LECTURE 1:
UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

3. COMMUNICATION
Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages.
The essence of communication is sharing, providing data, information, and insights in an exchange that benefits both you and with whom you are communicating.

4. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Stronger decision making and faster problem solving.
Earlier warning of potential problems.
Increased productivity and steadier workflow.
Stronger business relationships.
Clearer and more persuasive marketing messages.

6. CHALLENGES FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATORS
The ongoing development of new Information Technologies.
The increasingly global nature of business.
Growing diversity in the workplace and in types of workplace.

7. MAIN CATEGORIES OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Internal-Operational Communication
External-Operational Communication
Personal Communication

8. COMMUNICATION NETWORKS OF THE ORGANIZATION
The Formal Network
The Informal Network

9. THE FORMAL NETWORK
The formal network consists of the official, more stable lines of communication.
Each company has its preferred communication forms or genres for conducting its business.

10. THE INFORMAL NETWORK
The informal network, consisting largely of personal communications, is highly complex and ever changing.
Grapevine

11. VARIATION IN COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY BY BUSINESS
How much and what kinds of communicating a business does depends on the nature of the business, its operating plan, its environment, its geographic dispersion, and the people involved.

12. WHAT IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE?12

13. ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
Organizational culture is the ways of perceiving or doing things; it is the medium of preferred values and practices in which the company’s members do their work.
Each business has its own organizational culture, which has a strong effect upon, and is strongly affected by, the company’s communication.

14. A MODEL OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Organizational Contexts
Professional Contexts
Personal Contexts

15. THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
Sensing a communication need
Defining the situation
Considering possible communication strategies
Selecting a course of action
Composing the message
Sending the message
Receiving the message
Interpreting the message
Deciding on a response
Replying to the message