A communication system in an organization is like the nervous system in a human body. Communication in today's jumbled corporate environment involves much more than just motivating employees and providing good Public Relations. To be successful in today's business environment, companies need to integrate their communication efforts. Companies today are more concerned about to get their messages across to varied internal and external constituencies.
Enterprises includes annual reports as corporate communication tools to convey information related to results, processes and relationships of the enterprise
Corporations use newsletters and electronic copies to share diversity on hiring practices.
Enterprises use corporate intranets to communicate with suppliers and distributors.
Corporate Communications may include:
Analyst Relation, Internal Communication, Investors Relation, Corporate Governance, Issue Management, Change Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Analyst Relation: This type of communication is used to create a healthy relation with different analyst working for the company.
Internal Communication: For years, managers have focussed on “customer care”. More recently, they have begun to dedicate the same kind of attention to their own employees, recognizing that employees have more to do with the success of a business than virtually any other constituency.
Investor Relations: As companies strive to maximize shareholder value, they must continually communicate their progress toward that goal to the investing public. Accordingly investor relations are an essential sub function of a company’s corporate communication program.
Issue Management: Certain issues are fixed using communication tools and correct media channels.
Change Management: Business environment changes rapidly, to adopt to change management is a very crucial function.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Corporations gains are profits but to keep a healthy relationship with society they have to make certain contributions which are called corporate social responsibility. For example Hindustan Lever Ltd. Has several programs for rural development of India
Litigation: Communications on or around Litigation.
Crisis Communication: Crisis is something everyone can relate to. The death of a close relative, the theft of one’s car, or even a broken heart- all can become crisis in one’s life. Organization faces crisis too, so how do crisis affect organizations? Any natural disaster rocking the city resulting damage to company’s infrastructure is a crisis or government change of policy on a certain product produced by a company causes crisis.
Reference:
Corporate Communication by Paul A. Argenti.
Links:
www.wikipedia.com
Monday, July 9, 2007
Corporate Vs Product Advertising
Corporate advertising is a paid use of media that seeks to benefit the image of the corporation as a whole rather than its produts or services alone. In Product advertising companies directly promote their products. Companies mention the products with features, types and prices. The goal of the product advertising is to attract customers to buy products.
A major difference between corporate and product advertising is who pays for each of the two types of advertising. A company's marketing department typically is responsible for all product related advertising and pays for such ads out of its own budget. Coeporate advertising, on the other hand, falls
within the corporate communication area and either comes out of that budget or, in some cases, is paid for by the CEO's office.
Corporate Advertising for Accenture
- To create awarness
-Attract Customers
A major difference between corporate and product advertising is who pays for each of the two types of advertising. A company's marketing department typically is responsible for all product related advertising and pays for such ads out of its own budget. Coeporate advertising, on the other hand, falls
within the corporate communication area and either comes out of that budget or, in some cases, is paid for by the CEO's office.Corporate Advertising for Accenture
- To create awarness
-Attract Customers
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Identity, Image & Reputation
Brands and corporate reputation are increasingly recognised as some of the most important intangibles that form the backbone of the post-modern economies. Intangible factors help to create brands and corporate reputations which provide the lasting competitive advantage and have become important determinants of organisational performance and value.Persons and organizations are known and described in terms of the attributes that people assign to them. Organizations and persons have multiple identities, images and reputations that change over time. A reputation typically consists of a skewed distribution of beliefs with a greater or lesser degree of conformity among members of an interest group. This is the result of the spread of information and influence in a social network.
March-April, 2002 by Willem Koot
Majken Schultz, Mary Jo Hatch, and Mogens Holten Larsen (eds.): The Expressive Organization. Linking Identity, Reputation and the Corporate Brand
Since Tom Peters' bestseller, In Search of Excellence (1980), in which he concludes from his analysis of fifty successful American corporations that a homogenous, 'strong', outward-looking organizational culture offers a significant competitive advantage, we have been inundated by books about the 'ideal' organization and the management style required to achieve it. In each, the reader is treated to a description of 'the new organization', the exact form of which will depend on the author's opinion of what is needed at that particular moment, given the economic and cultural developments of the day. The titles of these books invariably include some qualifier which holds out the promise of yet another organizational paradigm: the quality organization, the enterprising organization, the empowered organization, the self-managing organization, the flexible organization, or -- extremely pretentious -- 'the organization of the twenty-first century'.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4339/is_2_23/ai_88252993
March-April, 2002 by Willem Koot
Majken Schultz, Mary Jo Hatch, and Mogens Holten Larsen (eds.): The Expressive Organization. Linking Identity, Reputation and the Corporate Brand
Since Tom Peters' bestseller, In Search of Excellence (1980), in which he concludes from his analysis of fifty successful American corporations that a homogenous, 'strong', outward-looking organizational culture offers a significant competitive advantage, we have been inundated by books about the 'ideal' organization and the management style required to achieve it. In each, the reader is treated to a description of 'the new organization', the exact form of which will depend on the author's opinion of what is needed at that particular moment, given the economic and cultural developments of the day. The titles of these books invariably include some qualifier which holds out the promise of yet another organizational paradigm: the quality organization, the enterprising organization, the empowered organization, the self-managing organization, the flexible organization, or -- extremely pretentious -- 'the organization of the twenty-first century'.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4339/is_2_23/ai_88252993
Communication Technologies
In today’s society, technology is advancing further and further everyday. A prime example of this is the computer. The computer is any programmable electronic mechanism that can collect, retrieve, and process information. This description has grown significantly over time as the computer has come a long way from the likes of a simple calculator, to a complex and intricate piece of machinery that has the ability to control our existence.
In an industry which is very forward looking, one interested in the future development of information and communications technologies, it can be useful to have a sense of, and learn from, history. The recent pioneering of the use of texting by youth is a well known and much cited example of unexpected innovation. But in fact there have been numerous occasions where technologies have entered our everyday lives through the influence of users, or at least some users, in ways that were unanticipated by industry. Radio technology was first developed to convey a signal to places where a fixed line, i.e. telegraphs, could not reach – such as for contacting ships at sea. But it was ham radio enthusiasts who developed the practice of using radio for social communication.
Jen Webb & Tony Schirato (http://con.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/12/3/255)
The ‘new’ communication technologies occupy a highly contingent place in social consciousness: at once central to our everyday lives, and yet capable of generating anxiety and uncertainty. This article traces some aspects of the relation of everyday people to new media technologies and evaluates the reception and impact of new technologies in their public contexts. Drawing on the thinking of writers such as Slavoj Z izek and Jonathan Crary, we argue that both the fears and celebrations of the media have a considerable lineage.
In an industry which is very forward looking, one interested in the future development of information and communications technologies, it can be useful to have a sense of, and learn from, history. The recent pioneering of the use of texting by youth is a well known and much cited example of unexpected innovation. But in fact there have been numerous occasions where technologies have entered our everyday lives through the influence of users, or at least some users, in ways that were unanticipated by industry. Radio technology was first developed to convey a signal to places where a fixed line, i.e. telegraphs, could not reach – such as for contacting ships at sea. But it was ham radio enthusiasts who developed the practice of using radio for social communication.
Jen Webb & Tony Schirato (http://con.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/12/3/255)
The ‘new’ communication technologies occupy a highly contingent place in social consciousness: at once central to our everyday lives, and yet capable of generating anxiety and uncertainty. This article traces some aspects of the relation of everyday people to new media technologies and evaluates the reception and impact of new technologies in their public contexts. Drawing on the thinking of writers such as Slavoj Z
Communication Theories
There is much discussion in the academic world of communication as to what actually constitutes communication.There are many different views on every communication theory, such as it being a dynamic and complex system of interactions rather than just skills of platform speaking.
According to an article(http://spot.colorado.edu/~craigr/Communication.htm) prepared for the Encyclopedia of Rhetoric by Robert T. Craig of the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado at Boulder,the author describes seven major traditions of communication theory that can be distinguished.
The oldest of these traditions is rhetoric, from which comes the idea that communication can be studied and cultivated as a practical art of discourse, or a sensible use of the language.
A second tradition is semiotics, which is the study of signs. This tradition views communication as a process that relies on signs and sign systems to mediate across the gaps between subjective viewpoints, or to act as a go-between among opposing individual perspectives.
The third tradition, phenomenological, relies on the notion that the basis for communication lies in our common existence with others in a shared world that may be constituted differently in experience. It views communication as the experience of self and other in dialogue.
Fourth, the cybernetic tradition, theorizes communication as information processing. It is one of the newest traditions of communication theory and it suggests that all complex systems, such as computers, telecommunication devices, and even cells, plants, and animals communicate because they process information.
Social psychology, a fifth tradition, views communication as expression, social interaction and influence. It suggests that communication always involves individuals with their distinctive personality traits, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions.
Sociocultural is a sixth tradition and it conceives communication as a symbolic process that produces and reproduces shared meanings, rituals, and social structures, or a reproduction of social order.
The final tradition of communication theory discussed was the critical tradition, which defines communication as discursive reflection, or as a reflexive, dialectical discourse essentially involved with the cultural and ideological aspects of power, oppression, and emancipation in society. The author concludes that these seven traditions do not cover the field of communication theory completely as ideas about communication are too numerous, diverse, and dynamically evolving to be captured entirely by any simple scheme.
According to an article(http://spot.colorado.edu/~craigr/Communication.htm) prepared for the Encyclopedia of Rhetoric by Robert T. Craig of the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado at Boulder,the author describes seven major traditions of communication theory that can be distinguished.
The oldest of these traditions is rhetoric, from which comes the idea that communication can be studied and cultivated as a practical art of discourse, or a sensible use of the language.
A second tradition is semiotics, which is the study of signs. This tradition views communication as a process that relies on signs and sign systems to mediate across the gaps between subjective viewpoints, or to act as a go-between among opposing individual perspectives.
The third tradition, phenomenological, relies on the notion that the basis for communication lies in our common existence with others in a shared world that may be constituted differently in experience. It views communication as the experience of self and other in dialogue.
Fourth, the cybernetic tradition, theorizes communication as information processing. It is one of the newest traditions of communication theory and it suggests that all complex systems, such as computers, telecommunication devices, and even cells, plants, and animals communicate because they process information.
Social psychology, a fifth tradition, views communication as expression, social interaction and influence. It suggests that communication always involves individuals with their distinctive personality traits, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions.
Sociocultural is a sixth tradition and it conceives communication as a symbolic process that produces and reproduces shared meanings, rituals, and social structures, or a reproduction of social order.
The final tradition of communication theory discussed was the critical tradition, which defines communication as discursive reflection, or as a reflexive, dialectical discourse essentially involved with the cultural and ideological aspects of power, oppression, and emancipation in society. The author concludes that these seven traditions do not cover the field of communication theory completely as ideas about communication are too numerous, diverse, and dynamically evolving to be captured entirely by any simple scheme.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Crisis Communication
Crisis is something everyone can relate to. The death of a close relative, the theft of one’s car, or even a broken heart- all can become crisis in one’s personal life. Organizations face crises as well. Exxon’s Valdez and WorldCom’s accounting scandals all became crises for the companies and the people involved.
Crisis in an organization can arise at any time and management is expected to be ready for such situation in terms of communication program. Corporations are expected to be ready with their plans much in advance to deal with any of the emergencies. A responsible and good corporation is well prepared for the communication with public and its constituents regarding the emergency situation.
Crisis Characteristics includes:
1) The element of surprise
2) Insufficient information
3) The quick pace of events
4) Intense scrutiny
Employees play a very vital role in crisis situation as they are the representative of the company. Along with external constituents it is required that internal constituents be communicated of the situation. Timely communication of crisis situation helps in avoiding rumors and false facts. Management should communicate in oral and in written with its constituent’s viz. employees, stake holders, suppliers etc. These days’ companies use various means to keep its constituents informed like company newsletter, e-mail communication.
Crisis Management
The worst time to learn crisis management is during a crisis. Most organizations are a long way from practicing proactive crisis management. I’ll present some guidelines for establishing routines and capabilities to handle potential crises.
Form and train crisis-management teams: Assign teams to be responsible for monitoring early-warning signals, maintaining readiness and coordinating responses should a crisis occur.
Create a crisis portfolio: Similar to a financial portfolio, a crisis portfolio is a tool to analyze and spread risks. For example, there are financial crises (e.g., hostile takeover), legal crises (e.g., losing proprietary information), psychopathic crises (e.g., sabotage) and industrial disasters. While it certainly isn’t possible to have a plan for each conceivable crisis, it is possible to identify those that represent the major threats to the organization.
Audit continuously. Crisis management is most effective through continuous process improvement. The best organizations regularly audit their external environment, as well as their operations, technologies and organizational culture. This identifies potential vulnerabilities that could lead to a disruption, incident or crisis.
Example of crisis communication:
Intel and the Pentium Chip
A math professor working on an obscure problem discovered that the Pentium chip introduced certain errors into his extremely precise calculations. He contacted Intel, but they didn’t acknowledge the problem. Finally, Intel admitted the problem. Intel damaged its reputation with customers, and ended up spending $475 million to replace all of its chips. The crisis occurred because Intel viewed the problem as minor, while the customer saw it as a major concern. Intel didn’t appreciate that the “customer is always right.”
Reference: Corporate Communication by Paul Argenti
Links:http://www.winstonbrill.com/bril001/html/article_index/articles/351-400/article354_body.html
Crisis in an organization can arise at any time and management is expected to be ready for such situation in terms of communication program. Corporations are expected to be ready with their plans much in advance to deal with any of the emergencies. A responsible and good corporation is well prepared for the communication with public and its constituents regarding the emergency situation.
Crisis Characteristics includes:
1) The element of surprise
2) Insufficient information
3) The quick pace of events
4) Intense scrutiny
Employees play a very vital role in crisis situation as they are the representative of the company. Along with external constituents it is required that internal constituents be communicated of the situation. Timely communication of crisis situation helps in avoiding rumors and false facts. Management should communicate in oral and in written with its constituent’s viz. employees, stake holders, suppliers etc. These days’ companies use various means to keep its constituents informed like company newsletter, e-mail communication.
Crisis Management
The worst time to learn crisis management is during a crisis. Most organizations are a long way from practicing proactive crisis management. I’ll present some guidelines for establishing routines and capabilities to handle potential crises.
Form and train crisis-management teams: Assign teams to be responsible for monitoring early-warning signals, maintaining readiness and coordinating responses should a crisis occur.
Create a crisis portfolio: Similar to a financial portfolio, a crisis portfolio is a tool to analyze and spread risks. For example, there are financial crises (e.g., hostile takeover), legal crises (e.g., losing proprietary information), psychopathic crises (e.g., sabotage) and industrial disasters. While it certainly isn’t possible to have a plan for each conceivable crisis, it is possible to identify those that represent the major threats to the organization.
Audit continuously. Crisis management is most effective through continuous process improvement. The best organizations regularly audit their external environment, as well as their operations, technologies and organizational culture. This identifies potential vulnerabilities that could lead to a disruption, incident or crisis.
Example of crisis communication:
Intel and the Pentium Chip
A math professor working on an obscure problem discovered that the Pentium chip introduced certain errors into his extremely precise calculations. He contacted Intel, but they didn’t acknowledge the problem. Finally, Intel admitted the problem. Intel damaged its reputation with customers, and ended up spending $475 million to replace all of its chips. The crisis occurred because Intel viewed the problem as minor, while the customer saw it as a major concern. Intel didn’t appreciate that the “customer is always right.”
Reference: Corporate Communication by Paul Argenti
Links:http://www.winstonbrill.com/bril001/html/article_index/articles/351-400/article354_body.html
Saturday, June 30, 2007
21st Century Trends
Applied to the microchip, the Moore's Law (Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel Corporation) describes a near magical effect for interconnecting transistors: as increasing numbers of silicon transistors are packed in a smaller space, they run better, faster, and cheaper. The performance of chips literally doubles every 18 months. And so does the bandwidth for networks.
Some of the results visible in the first decade of the 21st. Century, (assuming that we go well through the Y2K crisis), are:
- Prices of voice/data/video communications will drop dramatically, worldwide. Long-distance phone communication will be carried mostly through the Internet, for under 3 cents per minute.
- Most "mass media" will become interactive, although some passive forms will still exist.
- Digital TV broadcasting will be the norm, with most of the world adapting to it.
- 24-hours/day customer services will become a widespread business reality. We will see extreme product and service customization, according to increasingly narrow niches.
- Wireless computer-phone devices will be available for less-expensive communication from anywhere to everywhere.
- Paper will be more expensive, and will slowly become replaceable by cheap, ultrathin, flexible digital displays (as cheap as fine stationery, and therefore disposable). These displays, as thin as a latex glove, have been already invented at Xerox PARC, and will be competing with other forms from MIT and E-Ink . Same technologies will be used for inexpensive portable computers, and large commercial signs.
- The price of chips and digital storage will fall as dramatic as that of communications.
- Entire books will be available for download to such a portable and inexpensive display (flexible or not), changing the world of publishing.
- Long distance learning and telecommuting may finally change the way we live. Employees will have a serious need to expand their computer skills and entrepreneurial qualities.
- The migration of middle class from suburbs to the countryside, and that of corporations from cities to areas of less taxation, may very well accelerate.
(http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/future_technology/10487)
Some of the results visible in the first decade of the 21st. Century, (assuming that we go well through the Y2K crisis), are:
- Prices of voice/data/video communications will drop dramatically, worldwide. Long-distance phone communication will be carried mostly through the Internet, for under 3 cents per minute.
- Most "mass media" will become interactive, although some passive forms will still exist.
- Digital TV broadcasting will be the norm, with most of the world adapting to it.
- 24-hours/day customer services will become a widespread business reality. We will see extreme product and service customization, according to increasingly narrow niches.
- Wireless computer-phone devices will be available for less-expensive communication from anywhere to everywhere.
- Paper will be more expensive, and will slowly become replaceable by cheap, ultrathin, flexible digital displays (as cheap as fine stationery, and therefore disposable). These displays, as thin as a latex glove, have been already invented at Xerox PARC, and will be competing with other forms from MIT and E-Ink . Same technologies will be used for inexpensive portable computers, and large commercial signs.
- The price of chips and digital storage will fall as dramatic as that of communications.
- Entire books will be available for download to such a portable and inexpensive display (flexible or not), changing the world of publishing.
- Long distance learning and telecommuting may finally change the way we live. Employees will have a serious need to expand their computer skills and entrepreneurial qualities.
- The migration of middle class from suburbs to the countryside, and that of corporations from cities to areas of less taxation, may very well accelerate.
(http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/future_technology/10487)
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