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Category: Communication

  • Communication – Interpersonal Process 2

    In the last byte, we looked at the interpersonal communication model and a few definitions. In today’s byte we begin looking at the model in a greater detail.

    As stated in the definition of perceptual screens, these are windows – windows of the mind. It is these perceptual screens that influence the quality, accuracy and clarity of the message. The screen gives its flavor to the message – it is the one which defines if the message sent and the message received are the same or any distortion has occurred.

    The perceptual screens are generally composed of personal factors – every individual gets into the communication his/her various influences – age, gender, values, and beliefs, past experiences, cultural influences, and individual needs. The extent to which these windows are open or closed significantly influence both the sent and the received messages.

    We have been using the terms message pretty heavily – message refers to the thoughts and the feelings that the communicator is attempting to elicit in the receiver. It has two primary components:

    1. its content
    2. its affect.
    The thought or conceptual component of the message is contained in the words, ideas, symbols and concepts chosen to relay the message. The feeling or emotional component of the message is contained in the intensity, force, demeanor, and sometimes the gesture of the communicator. The feeling component of message is important to give the complete meaning.

  • Communication – Interpersonal Process

    In the last byte, we set the context for the importance of interpersonal communication. In today’s byte, we look at understanding interpersonal communication in a bit more detail.

    Interpersonal communication is important in building and sustaining human relations when in an organizational working context. If one were to ask – with all the sophistication in the present world of information technology were to replace interpersonal communication, the simple answer is – No. Let us try to understand it using the model presented below. We shall subsequently define a few of the words use there but not explain it in the current byte.

    The image has been adopted form the reference book.

    Some Definitions:
    1. Communicator – the person originating a message
    2. Receiver – the person receiving a message
    3. Perceptual Screen – a window through which we interact with people that influences the quality, accuracy and clarity of the communication.

  • Communication

    While concluding the section on stress management we highlighted the importance of communication. Communication is an important aspect in the interpersonal processes segment of Organizational Behavior and we shall begin the discussion on communication here.

    Communication could be understood as the evoking of a share or common meaning in another person. Specifically, interpersonal communication is communication that occurs between two or more people in an organizational set up. In the organizational context, i.e. interpersonal communications aspect, we find some essential skills that would be necessary:

    1. Reading,
    2. Listening
    3. Information Management and Interpretation
    4. Serving Clients
    To be able to understand and begin effectively using the interpersonal aspects of communication, it would be important to begin understanding of the complete interpersonal communication process.

  • Balance Product Development with Communication

    Many startups work too much on a product but spend little time communicating about their product/services; there are other start-ups which do the other extreme – over communicate but spend little time on product development. As mentioned earlier, working out the communications to synchronize with what you intend to deliver through your product is quintessential.  It is crucial to find a balance in this activity of really doing the work – and talk about the work. 
    In addition to the hard work put on the product the entrepreneur could at a minimum need to have the following as part of his communication activities:
    1. Elevator Pitch – short pitch that covers what the business does and addresses. Ensure it is catching the attention of the listener! Yes, it takes time to perfect this and its only by practice that this gets better.
    2. Short Business Summary – I would prefer a super short summary in a hard copy format – say around A5 size or even the hind of your visiting card that helps communicate what you do really precisely sharply. There are like like hook to the communication exchange done – people could look at this and find use at a later date.
    3. Business Presentation – this is an ever-evolving document. The more time you spend understanding your audience and the more presentations you make – this one only gets better. Spend time working out your presentation – remember getting the right graphic/images could make is just so much more communicating.
    4. A catchy website URL- there is really nothing like a web URL! for the company that clearly defines what you intend to do. This is invariably a one time choice – so think through and work out your thoughts with the name. For those who still believe offline is the only business – spending time online and having a good website could make a enormous difference.
    5. Blog – Developing a habit of blogging pretty regularly is important when you intend to communicate with your audience regularly.
    Start-ups would benefit by devoting time towards a sustained communication effort. It would be ideal for the founding team to sit down on the communication dimension periodically and take stock of what they are trying to pitch right from day one (or even earlier depending on when they are booking their URL). 
    Even as little as 30 minutes a week to re-look at the way you communicate could emerge very fruitful.Keep the audience coming back for more interesting, relevant aspects. So take the time off and get your communication plan worked out.