Knowledge in the area of communication, even if at the most elementary level is one of the key factors in a successful employment history. In a survey of 13,586 of its college graduates, General Electric Company found that the great majority of its employees cited written and verbal communication as the college training that had contributed most to their success in business (Zelko 7). For this reason that many colleges have reported an increase in enrollment in communications classes. In addition to college courses, companies are now beginning to take the initiative and teach their current employees communications skills. This in-service of sorts can be accomplished very efficiently if a few guidelines are met. These include the establishment of an informal and permissive climate, the establishment of the value and importance of the training, and general across-the-board participation- that is, contributions to the group from all of it’s members (Zelko, 8). These guidelines ensure that the environment will be right to help educate the employee that is not versed in communication. This training can be a catalyst in the growth of a business, as well as helping to create a work-friendly environment that encourages productivity. The American Management Association calls the ability to communicate a “vital skill of management”, and declare, “progressive companies now recognize (this ability)”. It is important to improve not only downward communication, but upward communication as well.

Big business was created in the mid-1800’s to organize corporations such as the railroad, oil and steel industries. At that time, the only other organizations that had a similar size and structure were the Roman Catholic Church and the United States Army. These organizations are extremely authoritative in nature, and use a system of hierarchical communication. This translates into a business organization/communication style that is basically condescending in nature and is based primarily on status.

Values of good downward communication include the ability to help a manager’s authority to be accepted, an evocation of cooperation that helps to solve problems, and a general expression of a friendlier atmosphere that builds morale everywhere. Values of enhanced upward communication include the ability to forewarn top management of employees’ reaction to policies, clarification of directives, and ability to offer valuable ideas to supervisors. These values can help improve business exponentially, mostly due to the combined efforts of employees and their supervisors. When upward and downward communication has been established, the major problems dealing with communications in business will be eliminated. The hierarchy that is big business will become less prominent, and the business will function much better. A basic analogy that sums up hierarchical structure in business is this- when times are rough, a car that uses both the front and rear tires to move will make out better than a car that uses just the front wheels. Business should be considered a vehicle that has four-wheel drive, not a vehicle with front-wheel drive.

While this may look like a positive, non-aggressive statement, one finds a different meaning when looking at it from a business speak point of view. The most obvious example of business speak is the phrase “removing roadblocks to PC platform growth”. Basically stated, Intel wants to buyout or take-over any companies that might stand in the way of allowing Intel to control the industry. If Intel were to come right out and say this, there would be massive investigations from government and consumer groups that would plague Intel for years. Therefore, by tailoring what they tell their customers and stockholders, they are dodging a bullet and enforcing a hierarchical position over its customers a

Some topics in this essay:
Management Association, Pollock Communication, Trade Commission, Intel Inc, Intel InsideR, Electric Company, According Boyd, James Bennett, United Army, Business Communications, body language, business speak, ability communicate, business communications, downward communication, speakers’ body language, main reasons, speakers’ body, pc platform, roadblocks pc platform, roadblocks pc, employees understand, management inform employees, employees happening company, communication include ability,