Business Communication Assignment
February 20, 2012
Business Communication
Assignment #1 Case Study
The four barriers to effective communication in the Palm Nuts Oil Ltd are one of mistrust, language, defensiveness and internal noise. The first barrier, mistrust, stems from the fact that the workforce does not trust management and is therefore reluctant to offer any feedback.
Secondly, the language used in the notice is not effective. The notice may be understood by someone with technical background and may not reach those who are not.
Internal noise can also be considered a barrier. Because of the initial mistrust of management, the receivers’ thoughts are not focused on the message in the notice.
Lastly, the barrier of defensiveness can be highlighted. The overall communication climate within the organisation would impact on the senders’ message being accepted.
Three other communications channels that could have been used are:
1. Individual memos to staff. An internal memo is a commonly used written method in getting messages to the workforce. They should be well structured, brief and not too formal. The memo to the workforce at Palm Nuts Oil Ltd can include setting out the request for suggestions in a more personalized manner. In addition, it can also include a notice of a meeting and an agenda.
2. Staff or Section meetings. Having been informed of the meeting and its objectives via the agenda, the workforce would be able to come to the meeting prepared to take part in the discussions.
3. Following the meeting, minutes can be produced to reiterate what had taken place and highlight the various suggestions. The minutes would also be used as a record of what transpired and provide a reference for persons who were not in attendance.
A more suitable method of communication other than the notice board would have been face to face communication. This can include several meetings between management and staff to discuss the planned project and hear the suggestions. This type of
Business Communication
Assignment #1 Case Study
The four barriers to effective communication in the Palm Nuts Oil Ltd are one of mistrust, language, defensiveness and internal noise. The first barrier, mistrust, stems from the fact that the workforce does not trust management and is therefore reluctant to offer any feedback.
Secondly, the language used in the notice is not effective. The notice may be understood by someone with technical background and may not reach those who are not.
Internal noise can also be considered a barrier. Because of the initial mistrust of management, the receivers’ thoughts are not focused on the message in the notice.
Lastly, the barrier of defensiveness can be highlighted. The overall communication climate within the organisation would impact on the senders’ message being accepted.
Three other communications channels that could have been used are:
1. Individual memos to staff. An internal memo is a commonly used written method in getting messages to the workforce. They should be well structured, brief and not too formal. The memo to the workforce at Palm Nuts Oil Ltd can include setting out the request for suggestions in a more personalized manner. In addition, it can also include a notice of a meeting and an agenda.
2. Staff or Section meetings. Having been informed of the meeting and its objectives via the agenda, the workforce would be able to come to the meeting prepared to take part in the discussions.
3. Following the meeting, minutes can be produced to reiterate what had taken place and highlight the various suggestions. The minutes would also be used as a record of what transpired and provide a reference for persons who were not in attendance.
A more suitable method of communication other than the notice board would have been face to face communication. This can include several meetings between management and staff to discuss the planned project and hear the suggestions. This type of