Choosing the Right Communication Channel
Selecting The Right Communication Channel
Communication serves four major functions within a group or organization: control, motivation, emotional expression, and information (Robbins, Judge 2011 p.342). Using the appropriate communication channel to convey a message is just as important as the message itself in order to fulfill any of these four functions effectively. In the following three scenarios I will choose the proper communication channel and defend my reasoning for that choice.
Scenario One
In this scenario, a strategy needs to be created to introduce a new beverage into the global market. The team has to be informed of the task, provided proper details and is to develop the strategy within one week. The Vice President also needs to remain informed of the strategy during this process.
Communicating With The Team Given the tight deadline and the complicated nature of the task, a form of communication high in channel richness is required. “Face-to-face conversation scores highest in channel richness because it transmits the most information per communication episode—multiple information cues (words, postures, facial expressions, gestures, intonations), immediate feedback (both verbal and nonverbal), and the personal touch of being present” (Robbins, Judge 2011 p.358). Therefore, face-to-face conversation would be the proper channel in this situation. Not only does this communication channel meet the requirements for the time sensitive situation, it also is able to provide immediate feedback from the team letting me know that they both received and comprehended the message that was sent.
Communicating With The Vice-President After a strategy has been decided upon, it the strategy needs to be conveyed to the Vice-President. For this particular situation, an e-mail would be the best communication channel to use for several reasons. First, both sender and receiver will have a record of the communication that can be stored for an
Communication serves four major functions within a group or organization: control, motivation, emotional expression, and information (Robbins, Judge 2011 p.342). Using the appropriate communication channel to convey a message is just as important as the message itself in order to fulfill any of these four functions effectively. In the following three scenarios I will choose the proper communication channel and defend my reasoning for that choice.
Scenario One
In this scenario, a strategy needs to be created to introduce a new beverage into the global market. The team has to be informed of the task, provided proper details and is to develop the strategy within one week. The Vice President also needs to remain informed of the strategy during this process.
Communicating With The Team Given the tight deadline and the complicated nature of the task, a form of communication high in channel richness is required. “Face-to-face conversation scores highest in channel richness because it transmits the most information per communication episode—multiple information cues (words, postures, facial expressions, gestures, intonations), immediate feedback (both verbal and nonverbal), and the personal touch of being present” (Robbins, Judge 2011 p.358). Therefore, face-to-face conversation would be the proper channel in this situation. Not only does this communication channel meet the requirements for the time sensitive situation, it also is able to provide immediate feedback from the team letting me know that they both received and comprehended the message that was sent.
Communicating With The Vice-President After a strategy has been decided upon, it the strategy needs to be conveyed to the Vice-President. For this particular situation, an e-mail would be the best communication channel to use for several reasons. First, both sender and receiver will have a record of the communication that can be stored for an
References: ¬¬ Robbins, S.P., & Judge, T.A. (2011). Organizational Behavior (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Taylor, R. (2006). Survival Guide for Project Managers. New York, NY: American Management Association International.