1c. The Importance of Effective Communication + Barriers to Effective Communication

Why is effective communication between a business and its stakeholders vital?

• It helps managers and employees minimise mistakes

• It supports everyone involved in a business to understand their role and what is expected of them

• It ensures that the businesses values and objectives are clear

• It provides customers with the information they need to understand goods and services

Why is it important for managers to control and organise communication?

To maintain a suitable level of communication between key stakeholders. This helps prevent misunderstandings, improves decision-making, and keeps everyone aligned with the business’s goals

What do effective communications need to be?

• Accurate

• Clear and easily understood

• Complete

• Appropriate for the intended audience

• Via the right method

• Provide a chance for feedback

What can too much communication do?

Make people overwhelmed:

• Managers may have so many meetings to attend that they are distracted from achieving business objectives

• Employees may receive large numbers of emails or instant messages which take their focus away from their job role

• Suppliers and customers may have communications from several different staff members so messages become confused

What can too little communication do?

Leave people feeling ignored or undervalued:

• Managers may lack crucial information to help them make good decisions

• Staff motivation may be affected or workers may become stressed if they’re not fully informed of decisions related to their job roles

• Customers may complain about poor customer service if key product or service information is not made available

What are the reasons why communication may not be effective?

• Written communication - affected by poor spelling and grammar, illegible handwriting or unclear presentation

• Verbal communication - affected by language difficulties, the speed of speaking, or strong accents

• The use of jargon - special words used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand