I have been contacted to act as an internal consultant by9mobile Nigeria, a leading telecoms operator in Nigeria. My task is to understandthe communication challenges a middle manager is having and recommend ways hecan improve his communication skills and be more affective as a manager.
Below aremy findings and recommendations. Forms ofCommunication: The two types of communication in 9mobile come under”Vertical Communication” 1. InternalCommunication:Communication that deal with internal matters andinteraction between staff and employees in varied forms is called “InternalCommunication.” It serves as a medium to address concerns of employees,thereby improving goodwill, job satisfaction, productivity and safety. Under Internal Communication, you have: Upward CommunicationDownward CommunicationHorizontal/Lateral Communication 1. ExternalCommunication This refers to communication by company supervisors with officesoutside the organization.
This communication can prompt operational efficiency,market credibility, goodwill, corporate image, and customer loyalty. It leadsto enhanced performance, increased sales and profits. Common forms of communication Face-To-Face Communication This is the best mode of communication. It requires the presenceof both parties, reduces uncertainty and makes sure that issues are mutuallyunderstood. Phones CallsThis is a personal form of communication .
It adds a personaltouch to messages that needs clarity and explain some intricacy involved. Writing This includes letters, posters, business memos, bulletinboards and other written forms of correspondence. This is a good choice when passinga message to individuals at various locations. E-mails E-mail outweighs most communication modes. It’s cheap, quickand good features, gives it an edge over others in communication in a way thatboth the sender and receiver find helpful. Web Conferencing This includes lectures, training, presentations and the likebetween computers that are web connected and allow for instant face-to-facecommunication distances. Online Chats This alludes to a spoken or written conversation, exceptthat it is through the computer or phones. Both point-to-point and multicastcommunications are served by online Chat, which can be valuable in webconferencing.
Shortcoming 1 VulnerabilityWhen leaders are vulnerable, they say little and take no chances,Instead of fully engaging in a discussion they can’t control. 2. IntimidationIf the audience is junior, they communicate enough to beheard, but not enough to make the effect that is expected to address issues athand.
3. Subject MatterExpertiseWhen leaders lack subject matter expertise, they don’t knowwhere they or their points of view fit in the solution-set 4. ReadinessLack of readiness leads to poor communication. The failureto show others how it’s done spreads negative effects on others. 5.
Executive PresenceWhen leaders lack executive presence, it weakens theirauthoritative stance; it starts to limitwhat colleagues expect from them and leads to poor communication skills. 6. Knowing how to engage.
Leaders can find it simpler to avoid communicating, at leastuntil they have everything made sense of. So they retrench and put offconnecting on key issues, which can rapidly get out regardless as gossip. Recommendations1. Team meetingMeet with your team regularly, in person or viateleconferencing and invite them to discuss their tasks and the organization.
2. Open Door Policy Employees should feel comfortable bringing anything to your attention.That can be beneficial to business’s internal communication and make you moreapproachable. 3. Common GoalThere’s a common goal in any organization, which relies onthe focus of the business. It is consequential that employees are on the samepage. 4. Get Outside of the OfficeA change of scenery can perk people back up.
Getting outsidethe office can be as simple as relocating your team to a different location tocollaborate on a project. 5. Work Retreat A work retreat canrange from being a day at the beach to an excursion. With all the focus put onhelping employees communicate better. 6. Opportunity to RechargeGiving employees the opportunity to step away when need be.
Whether it means taking more time for break or asking for a day off, you’ll getbetter results out of granting employees the chance to reboot themselves. 7. One-Way CommunicationThis provides an element of control, but it’s not going todo you or your employees any good. Instead, allow for communication to be atwo-way street. 8. Attend Conferences as a TeamAttending conferences as a team is a way to open upcommunication and discuss with employees how your organization might moveforward. 9. Reach Out to Shy EmployeesReaching out to shy employees can help break down thebarriers of communication they may have set, especially if you show interest inthem.
10. Encourage Video Conferencing Video conferencing, puts a face to the voice of employeeswhen you might not actually see them in person. 11. Ask QuestionsAsking employees how they like to receive information can createa more effective plan for regular communication. 12. Celebrate Achievements.
This is a great way to let employees know how much of animpact their efforts has on an organization. .
