Definition: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/organizational-communication.

html
A process by which activities of a society are collected and coordinated to reach the goals of both individuals and the
collective group. It is a subfield of general communications studies and is often a component to effective management in
a workplace environment.

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Major: Organizational
Communication

Students of organizational communication learn how interpersonal relationships are developed and
maintained within organizations. Areas of study include decision-making, conflict management, and
company politics.

Effective leaders are effective communicators. A major in organizational communication will prepare you
to be an invaluable team member in a variety of settings.
Overview
Courses in this interdisciplinary major are designed to help you develop a strong understanding
of organizational structures, business ethics and human motivation. You'll also foster skills in
persuasive communication, business writing, spreadsheets, media production and managerial
accounting. An internship in advertising, public relations, marketing or sales will give you
practical experience as you plan for your career.

By studying the structure, patterns and effects of human communication in a variety of situations, students who major
in organizational communications develop a high level of written and oral communication skills, the ability to distill and
analyze communication from a variety of perspectives and recognize and apply multiple variables that enable
professionals to effectively communicate with their audience.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are universally valued in corporate, nonprofit, government
and entrepreneurial organizations. Assumptions organizational communication students study the
patterns, systems and networks of communication within an organization and develop the skills to
effectively communicate with internal and external constituencies.
This major has a business foundation with a required core of six business knowledge courses, including:
management, marketing and microeconomics.
Students who major in this program take a required, 3-credit course in either Internship in Business or
Portfolio Management in their junior or senior year.
The internship/seminar course provides hands-on experience and training, networking with professionals
in the field, and assessment of your personal career strengths and interests. Youll spend a minimum of
120 hours working with professionals in the field. In this capstone seminar, students discuss
organizational behavior and management concepts.
The portfolio course enables you to document your knowledge and skills, develop a resume and compile
writing samples that make you more marketable as you seek your first professional position or as you
apply for graduate school.
By combining the Colleges strength in the liberal arts and business, students develop skills that enable
them to be employed in areas such as:
strategic communications
advertising
advocacy
media relations
marketing communications
internal communications
investor relations
corporate social responsibility
government relations crisis management

Organizational Communication
Studies in organizational communication focus on the interpersonal relationships and interactions between people
in organizations. Students learn how communication influences organizational composition and change. Learn
more about degree programs and careers in organizational change.
Inside Organizational Communication
Organizational communication explores how the people in a business interact with each other to accomplish
strategic goals. It refers to the ways that businesses manage and distribute information. Managers in large
companies often use distant communication methods to inspire and inform subordinates they may never meet face-
to-face. Business communication may vary depending upon several factors, including organizational culture,
group size and dynamics and the sender's intention.
Education Information
Students who are interested in organizational communication can study at the undergraduate or graduate level. In a
bachelor's degree program, students tend to focus on developing an awareness of how and why business
correspondence is created. Coursework typically includes topics such as communication theory, communication
ethics, communication and leadership, organizational communication analysis, as well as communication and
conflict.
Graduate-level coursework may examine areas such as small group communication methods, gender roles in
communication, how communication is used to establish power and institute change and communication's role in
decision-making. Some graduate-level programs examine the communication differences in types of
organizations. For example, communication protocol may vary sharply between a government agency and the
private sector. Look into these articles from Education-Portal.com to learn more.
Organizational Communication Degrees
Master of Communication Degree
Best School for Communication Degrees
Organizational Communication Degrees and Graduate Certificates
Distance Learning Options
Online communication courses are typically offered at the undergraduate level. The flexibility of online courses
can be an efficient way to earn credit for core courses in an online or on-campus program. Here are a few articles
on distance learning options in organizational communication:
Online Communication Courses
Choosing Online Colleges Offering a Communication Degree
Distance Learning Communication Diploma
Career Opportunities
Good communication skills are highly valued by most employers. Besides becoming a consultant, trainer or
human resources manager, those with a major in organizational communication might go into account
management or marketing. Those who obtain a graduate degree in organizational communication may take on
management positions, become professors or business consultants. Education-Portal.com offers information on
the career options in this specialty area of communications.
Jobs for Organizational Communication Majors
Consultant
Public Relations Jobs
Certified Corporate Trainer
Human Resources Manager
Employment Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations and fundraising managers earned a mean
annual salary of $108,260 as of 2012 (www.bls.gov). In addition, as of May 2012, training and development
specialists earned an average salary of $59,560, and human resources managers earned $109,590. According to the
BLS, business consultants, also known as management analysts, had an average salary of $88,070 in the same
year.


Eight Ways to Communicate Your Strategy More
Effectively
by Georgia Everse | 4:54 PM August 22, 2011
Comments


A frustrated CEO recently shared with me that her employees had lost their edge. They were internally
focused, their speed-to-market was down, and they couldnt find a good balance between serving
customers well while making healthy margins. The result was slow progress against the company
strategy and an inability to profitably deliver on the value proposition. She had attempted to motivate
employees and be clear about the strategy, but she was falling short and was looking for answers on
what to do next. The solution in many cases is to overhaul internal communications strategies in order to
convince employees of the authenticity, importance, and relevance of their companys purpose and
strategic goals. Here are just a few communications approaches that will help you effectively reach your
employees and encourage behaviors that advance your strategy and improve your results.
1. Keep the message simple, but deep in meaning.
Most organizations have a deeper meaning as to why they exist. This tends to influence strategy,
decision-making and behaviors at executive levels, but often isnt well articulated for employees. What
you call it doesnt matter, your purpose, your why, your core belief, your center. What does matter is that
you establish its relevance with employees in a way that makes them care more about the company and
about the job they do. It should be at the core of all of your communications, a simple and inspiring
message that is easy to relate to and understand. Strategy-specific messages linked to your purpose
become tools to help employees connect their day-to-day efforts with the aspiration of the company.
2. Build behavior based on market and customer insights
For employees to fully understand how your strategy is different and better than the competition they
need to be in touch with market realities. The challenge is in how to effectively convey those realities so
that your people can act on them. By building internal campaigns based on market and customer insights,
you bring your strategy to life for your employees through this important lens. Package your content so
that it can be shared broadly with all departments in your organization, but in a hands-on way. Expose
managers first then provide them with easy-to-implement formats for bringing their teams together, with
toolkits that include all the materials theyll need. The purpose is to encourage their teams to develop
department-specific responses, and to generate new ideas and new behaviors based on what theyve
learned.
3. Use the discipline of a framework.
Not all messages are created equal. They need to be prioritized and sequenced based on their purpose. I
suggest using an Inspire/Educate/Reinforce framework to map and deliver messages on an annual basis.
Inspire. Messages that inspire are particularly important when you are sharing a significant
accomplishment or introducing a new initiative that relates to your strategy. The content should
demonstrate progress against goals, showcase benefits to customers, and be presented in a way that
gets attention and signals importance. The medium is less important than the impression that you want
to leave with employees about the company. Whether youre looking to build optimism, change focus,
instill curiosity, or prepare them for future decisions, youll have more impact if you stir some emotion
and create a lasting memory.
Educate. Once youve energized your team with inspiring messages, your explanations of the
companys strategic decisions and your plans for implementing them should carry more weight. To
educate your teams most effectively on the validity of your strategy and their role in successful
execution, make sure you provide job-specific tools with detailed data that they can customize and
apply in their day-to-day responsibilities. It is most important for these messages to be delivered
through dialogues rather than monologues, in smaller group sessions where employees can build to
their own conclusions and feel ownership in how to implement.
Reinforce. It isnt enough to explain the connection between your companys purpose and its strategy
and between that strategy and its execution once. Youll need to repeat the message in order to
increase understanding, instill belief and lead to true change overtime. These reinforcing messages
need to come in a variety of tactics, channels, and experiences and Ive highlighted some approaches
below. Ultimately, they serve to immerse employees in important content and give them the knowledge
to confidently connect to the strategy. Youll also want to integrate these messages with your training
and your human resource initiatives to connect them with employee development & performance
metrics. Recognize and reward individuals and teams who come up with smart solutions and positive
change.
4. Think broader than the typical CEO-delivered message. And dont disappear.
Often corporate communications has a strictly top-down approach. Ive found that dialogue at the
grassroots is just as important, if not more so. Employees are more likely to believe what leaders say
when they hear similar arguments from their peers, and conversations can be more persuasive and
engaging than one-way presentations. Designate a team of employees to serve as ambassadors
responsible for delivering important messages at all levels. Rotate this group annually to get more people
involved in being able to represent the strategy inside the company. And when the message comes
from leadership, make sure its from your most visible, well-regarded leaders. Another mistake is the big
launch event and disappear approach. Instead, integrate regular communications into employees daily
routines through detailed planning against the messages mapped in your Inspire/Educate/Reinforce
framework.
5. Put on your real person hat.
And take off your corporate person/executive hat. The fact is, not many people are deeply inspired by
the pieces of communication that their companies put out. Much of it ignores one of the most important
truths of communication and especially communication in the early 21st century: be real. Corporate
speak comes off hollow and lacking in meaning. Authentic messages from you will help employees see
the challenges and opportunities as you see them and understand and care about the direction in which
youre trying to take the company.
6. Tell a story.
Facts and figures wont be remembered. Stories and experiences will. Use storytelling as much as
possible to bring humanity to the company and to help employees understand the relevance of your
strategy and real-life examples of progress and shortfalls against it. Ask employees to share stories as
well, and use these as the foundation for dialogues that foster greater understanding of the behaviors that
you want to encourage and enhance versus those that pose risks. Collectively these stories and
conversations will be a strong influence on positive culture-building behavior that relates to your core
purpose and strategic goals.
7. Use 21st-century media and be unexpected.
The delivery mechanism is as important and makes as much of a statement as the content itself. Most
corporate communications have not been seriously dusted off in a while, and the fact is, the way people
communicate has changed tremendously in the past five years. Consider the roles of social media,
networking, blogs, and games to get the word out in ways that your employees are used to engaging in.
Where your message shows up also says a lot. Aim to catch people somewhere that they would least
expect it. Is it in the restroom? The stairwell? On their mobile phone?
8. Make the necessary investment.
Most executives recognize how important their employee audience is. They are the largest expense to the
company. They often communicate directly with your customers. They single-handedly control most
perceptions that consumers have about the brand. So if this is a given, why are we so reluctant to fund
internal communication campaigns? I suggest asking this question: What am I willing to invest per
employee to help them internalize our strategy and based on that understanding, determine what they
need to do to create a differentiated market experience for our customers? Do the math and set your
hoped-for ROI high whether it is financial performance or positive shifts in behavior and culture. If you
choose not to invest be certain of the risk. If you dont win over employees first, you certainly wont
succeed in winning with customers, as they ultimately hold that relationship in their hands.
More blog posts by Georgia Everse
More on: Communication, Managing people

GEORGIA EVERSE
Georgia Everse is a communications and marketing executive with 30 years of experience and a proven track record
of finding innovative solutions to complex business problems. She specializes in helping C-level executives find and
articulate their vision and successfully use strategic communication to achieve their growth goals. Georgia is a visiting
professor for the Ferris State University MBA program, in Design and Innovation Management. She is currently a
partner with Genesis Inc., a brand, strategy and communications consultancy.


Effective Communication
'Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on. 'I do,' Alice hastily replied; 'at
leastat least I mean what I saythat's the same thing, you know.' 'Not the same thing a bit!' said
the Hatter. 'You might just as well say that "I see what I eat" is the same thing as "I eat what I see"!'
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
What does it mean to communicate effectively?
Communication is a transaction between two or more people, with all participants having an active
role in the process. A speaker transmits a message and must ensure that the message is delivered
clearly. A listener takes delivery of the message and must be an active listener. Effective
communication takes place only when the listener clearly understands the message that the
speaker intended to send.
Why is effective communication important for the mentoring
relationship?
By its very nature, the mentor-mentee relationship is not equally balanced, since the mentor holds
greater power than the mentee. However, because communication is integral to the mentor-
mentee relationship, the ability to communicate effectively is essential. The mentee must be able to
be forthright with the mentor, and the mentor must be able to listen carefully and provide feedback
while maintaining a cordial and productive relationship.
What are common methods of communication?
Information can be shared face to face or by telephone, fax, e-mail, text messaging,
videoconferencing, e-portfolios, instant messaging, memos, letters, reports, etc. The number and
types of methods increase as information technology systems become ever more sophisticated.
How do you convince someone successfully?
Successful communication is accomplished by being able to make people believe in what is being
said. To do this, the speaker must be sincere and enthusiastic and have all the facts needed to
back up the message.
How do you know if communication is effective?
An effective communicator will succeed in persuading someone to act in a way that is desired and
to enjoy acting in this way (e.g., to be motivated to carry out a task). If there is a concern with the
effectiveness of the mentor-mentee communication, it is important to reiterate the message and
determine if the message was sent and received.
How can you use nonverbal communication?
With practice, the speaker sending the message can pick up visual clues (nonverbal feedback)
about how the message is being received and then modify or rephrase the message to make it
more understandable or acceptable.
What are the most important skills for becoming an effective
communicator?
The ability to understand the situation, the message, the listener, and the quality of the
communication.
The ability to frame a message clearly, concisely, and directly.
The ability to ask or tell someone to do something without evoking negative emotions on
either side.
The capacity to listen actively.
The ability to be attentive and observant.
The confidence to be sure of the message and convincing in relaying it.
Why is listening such an important skill in effective communication?
Listening is critical because it provides direction. It helps to form good relationships and to
encourage more open communication.Active listening helps move this process along.
What can help most in understanding?
Understanding involves developing the ability to perceive, store, and recall the relevant information
to reach an understanding of the situation as quickly as possible.
What are the barriers to effective communication?
Both mentors and mentees can foster barriers to communication. Barriers include the following:
The use of imprecise language that could be misunderstood or could distract from the
message.
The display of inappropriate body language or the misreading of body language.
Defensiveness or premature assumptions.
Judgments based on cultural differences or interpersonal relationships.
A distracting environment.
Mixed messages.

Barrier: The use of imprecise language that could be misunderstood or could distract
from the message.Vague language can complicate a relationship and leave the listener
unsure of what message is being conveyed. "Loaded" words can inflame a conversation and
inhibit communication. The result of this could be that the listener carries out an activity that
was not intended by the speaker or that the listener has the disadvantage of
misunderstanding and then feeling defensive or angry.
Solution: Before conveying the message, the speaker should think carefully about the
message that he or she wants to send and select the words carefully. During the
conversation, the speaker should pay attention to the words he or she is using and to the
expressions and body language of the listener. If the listener looks defensive, hostile, puzzled,
or confused, the speaker should repeat the message in clearer or more neutral words. On the
one hand, it is not particularly useful for the speaker to ask, "Do you understand?" or "Did you
get it?" The listener may feel that saying "No" may be construed as a weakness or failure. On
the other hand, if the listener asks for additional information, it is critical to restate the
message in different terms and not convey impatience or frustration with the listener. Active
listening will contribute to a mutual understanding of the communication. The listener must
take care to attend to the speaker fully and then repeat, in the listener's own words, what he
or she thinks the speaker has said. The listener does not have to agree with the speaker or
the tone or words with which the speaker communicates; the listener must simply state what
he or she thinks the speaker said. This enables the speaker to find out whether the listener
really understood and to offer additional explanations if the listener did not. Return to the list.

Barrier: The display of inappropriate body language or the misreading of body
language. Body language helps us pick up visual clues from people's reactions to what we
are saying to them. A defensive, hostile, antagonistic, or fearful posture can create concerns
on the part of the listener or the speaker and can therefore inhibit communication.
Solution: Body language can offer valuable feedback and help us interpret how others are
responding to the message or style of communication. By consciously and actively being
aware of our body language, the speaker and listener can defuse the negative energy
surrounding an interaction. Return to the list.

Barrier: Defensiveness or premature assumptions. A defensive listener will be less able to
"hear" what the speaker is saying. In some cases, instead of listening, a person is thinking
about why an interaction is occurring or perhaps preparing a response to a message that he
or she hasn't heard. By making assumptions about the speaker and the reasons that a
conversation is taking place, the listener keeps himself or herself from paying attention to the
real message.
Solution: The listener should not presuppose that he or she knows the reason for or the basis
of the communication, nor should the listener feel defensive without knowing what is being
said. Being open and nonjudgmental will allow the listener to truly hear what is being
said. Return to the list.

Barrier: Judgments based on cultural differences or interpersonal relationships. This
problem goes hand in hand with that of making assumptions. In this case, the problem
involves presupposing things about another person based on cultural differences and
personal associations. This can result in not hearing a message or misinterpreting the
message.
Solution: It's important for the speaker and listener to be open with each other to dispel
assumptions and biases. For this to happen, it may be useful to address biases straight on in
an open dialogue. By revealing and discussing biases and assumptions, it is possible to
eliminate them and thereby communicate more fully and effectively. Return to the list.

Barrier: A distracting environment. An environment that is crowded or noisy tends to be
distracting, and this can prevent effective communication.
Solution: Protect the receiver of information by providing a quiet and safe environment for
conversation. It is helpful to use a private space. This allows the listener to focus on the
message, instead of focusing on the venue and its noise.Return to the list.

Barrier: Mixed messages. A conversation that conveys contradictory messages or conflates
the intended message with extraneous issues can cause confusion, concern, or resentment.
Solution: Before speaking, people should think carefully about the points to be made. Written
talking points can be useful in this regard. If there are multiple messages to convey (perhaps
some positive and some negative messages), it may be better to present them on separate
occasions or in different environments. Conveying only one message at a time can help avoid
confusion and misunderstanding. Return to the list.
How can you overcome these barriers?
Beyond the solutions suggested above, the barriers to communication can generally be lessened
by making sure that the speaker is trying to be clear and explicit, that the listener is engaged
in active listening, and that the speaker and the listener are bringing their complete attention to
bear on the conversation and are considering the feelings of each other.
Return to the top.