Communication is important in every workplace. In order to assure that a company is running properly, staying financially afloat and achieving its long-term goals, the individuals who have a master's in communications must be able to communicate and discuss important details with each other. Communication is also important when managing and training employees, developing marketing and sales strategies, maintaining high levels of productivity and fostering a positive corporate climate. In order to make sure that communications degree holders are interacting with their staffs effectively and appropriately, the below resources should be browsed and considered.
Overview on Corporate Communication
While communication may be one of the most important aspects of a productive and successful business, many individuals are unsure what exactly effective corporate communication is and how to best develop it in their place of work. These resources will provide managers with information on what corporate communication is and include various documents relating to communication policy.
Definition of Corporate Communication: Explains corporate communication in the simplest terms possible. This link may be of interest to individuals who have or are pursing a communications degree.
Explanation of Corporate Communication: This paper includes a definition of corporate communication while also describing the importance of creating communication strategies.
Job Functions of Corporate Communicators: Explains the role an individual employed in the field of corporate communication may play within the larger matrix of a company.
Public Relations and Corporate Communication: The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains how the field of PR is related to corporate communications.
Tips on Improving Corporate Communication
Communication management degree holders may find it helpful to lead training exercises on communication for their employees. There are specific tips and strategies that individuals can use to improve the way that they exchange information and convey ideas. Following employee training on corporate communication, workers may find that they are better able to open channels of dialog within their teams and interact more positively.
Role Playing Communication Exercise: Includes a sample interaction that workers can be led through. Employees may find that acting out situations in which positive communication is featured help create a model for future behavior.
Utilizing Social Media Strategies: Provides a how-to guide to developing communication initiatives based on social media platforms and tools.
Improving Communication Skills: This document gives examples as to how individuals can improve their communication style in the workplace.
Topics in Communication
There are many different variables that influence the way an individual communicates, including gender, race, socioeconomic level, job description and education. Employees may be able to improve their communication skills by learning about the different factors that affect a person's style of interaction.
Gender and Communication: This document explains how and why men and women communicate differently.
Race and Communication: This article from the Journal of Business Communication discusses how cultural and racial identity shapes the communication style of an individual.
Diversity in the Workplace: Provides an overview on how best to style communication in a diverse corporate setting and make the most of cultural differences between individuals.
Age and Communication: This study reveals how younger employees differ in their communication and work style from older professionals and gives tips on how to deal with these disparities.
Communication Strengths and Weaknesses: Discusses areas in which most U.S. employees need to improve with suggestions on how managers can assist the development of their workers' communication skills.
Types of Communication
While much of the interaction that takes place in the office is face-to-face, the modern world of business is rapidly evolving and adapting to virtual styles of communication. Managers should familiarize themselves with the different types of communication that now exist and learn how they can best utilize these new platforms to enhance their total corporate communication strategy.
Young Employees and Email: Studies have shown that young professionals communicate in different ways than individuals from older generations. This press release reveals the prevalence of the use of personal email accounts in corporate communication among workers under 25.
Communication in Virtual Teams: Discusses how to structure teams of remote workers in order to maximize effective communication methods and productivity.
Study on Communication and Remote Teams: This paper explores the different ways in which virtual teams communicate.
The Internet and Communication: This article from the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication reveals the importance of the internet in maximizing communication opportunities between workers who telecommute.
Social Media and the Evolution of Corporate Communication: This paper discusses how the rise of social media has changed the face of corporate communication.
Communicating Workplace Rules and Expectations
Many workplace conflicts stem from a breakdown in communication between upper management and the company's employees. In order to make sure the office is running smoothly, individuals should communicate expectations to workers clearly and frequently, and establish policies that make evident the rules governing behavior.
Communicating Expectations: This document gives tips on how managers can communicate workplace expectations to their employees. It also describes the steps one may take when an employee does not live up to these expectations.
Acceptable Use Policies Explained: This document describes what an AUP is and why businesses need to establish effective and clear acceptable use policies governing the use of the internet, company-owned property, competition and social media programs.
How to Create an Acceptable Use Policy: Tips on developing an acceptable use policy for the workplace.
Acceptable Use Policy Template: An example that can be adapted to fit the needs of multiple businesses and corporations.