Communication Channels
The usage of different communication channels in the company’s work is crucial for the organization’s effectiveness and employees’ involvement. According to Jouany and Martic (2020), there are three main types of communication channels: digital, face-to-face, and written form. Digital communication includes the usage of e-mail, video calls, social media, messengers, and others. The second type, meaning face-to-face communication, is a more personal one; it includes live meetings and talks. Finally, written form includes transferring some “policies, letters, memos, manuals, notices and announcements” (Joany & Matric, 2020, para. 28). However, different types of business communication (for instance, connection with new employees, upper management, or people with language barriers) require the usage of different channels.
Different Types of Communication
Talking about the most effective communication channels with new employees, telephone calls, emails, and face-to-face communication can be highlighted. However, according to Braun et al. (2019), “employees perceived face-to-face communication to be of higher quality than telephone and email communication” (p. 50). This way of communication might make the adaptation and socialization of new employees easier and more comfortable.
Moreover, while contacting upper management, besides emails, such channels as project management tools and document sharing softwares should be pointer out. This is so because when communicating with upper management, employees usually want to approve some decisions or to request new tasks.
Breaking Language Barriers
In international companies, the problem of language barriers often appears among the workers. As scholars put it, “digital cross-cultural communication (via email, social networks, messengers etc) significantly simplifies language barrier problem compared to face-to-face communication” (Lifintsev & Wellbrock, 2019, p. 97). Therefore, the best channels of transferring information for workers having language barriers are digital ones. Communicating via the Internet lowers the stress foreign workers have.
Moreover, digital forms of transferring and receiving information have become very popular starting with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have shifted to the remote format of the work, allowing people to join organizations of different countries.
Best Post-Pandemic Channels
According to Jouany and Martic (2020), 74% of firms plan to permanently shift to a distant mode of work in the post-pandemic time. This means that face-to-face forms of communication will become unavailable for the workers. That is why the leading way to contact co-workers will become a digital one. For instance, video conferences, which are similar to face-to-face meetings, can be organized for new employees in order for them to adapt quickly. However. other means of communications used now, such as emails, messengers, project management and document sharing tools, will remain appropriate even in a post-pandemic world.
References
Braun, S., Hernandez Bark, A., Kirchner, A., Stegmann, S., & Van Dick, R. (2019). Emails from the boss—Curse or blessing? Relations between communication channels, leader evaluation, and employees’ attitudes. International Journal of Business Communication, 56(1), 50-81.
Jouany, V. & Martic, K. (2020). Top Communication Channels to Consider for Your Business. Smarp.
Lifintsev, D., & Wellbrock, W. (2019). Cross-cultural communication in the digital age. Estudos em Comunicação, 1(28), 93-104.