Formal communications are those that flow within the chain of command or task responsibility defined by the organization.. (Daft, 2012, p.577). The three formal channels and types of information conveyed is downward, upward, and horizontal communications in an organization. Downward communication takes place during speeches, videos and blogs such as those posted on YouTube, and Kroger’s intranet. Upward communication is just that, messages that flow from the lower to the higher levels of the organization’s hierarchy. For example, suggestions for improvement to increase quality or efficiency, performance reports that inform managers on how individuals and departments are performing, and grievances, disputes and financial information (Daft, …show more content…
This can take place within or across departments. Horizontal communication informs and can also request support and coordinate activities. The three categories are intradepartmental problem solving, coordination and change initiatives and improvements. Personal communication channels that exist outside of the formal channels can take place informally, such as when managers get out of their offices and mingle with employees. Another informal, person-to-person communication network that is not sanctioned by the organization is gossip that typically travels along the grapevine. The grapevine will always exist and can become a dominant force when formal channels are …show more content…
Kroger’s management identified a permanent and great team which consisted of important key characteristics such as the teams type, structure, and composition. The team diversity in terms of task-related knowledge and skills can have a tremendous impact on team processes and effectiveness. Additionally, diversity in terms of gender and race can even affect a team’s performance along with the team size and roles. Clearly, Kroger’s sustainability team had an effective and strong team leader who led the way to such documented success as reflected in the quality of work, significant cost reductions, and innovations. Team leaders contributed to team success by rallying people around a compelling purpose, sharing control to spur commitment and motivation, clarify norms and expectations, and by admitting ignorance or asking for help when they need help (Daft, 2012,
Orgel, D. (Aug. 30 2010). Kroger Details Employee Communications. In Supermarket News. Retrieved February 02, 2014, from http://supermarketnews.com/latest-news/kroger-details-employee-communications.
Kowitt, Beth. "Inside the Secret World of Trader Joe’s." Fortune. Fortune, Inc., 23 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 July 2014.
This process reminded me of the two forms of internal communication concerning business, which were downward and upward communication. Upward communication is how information flows through a company through a hierarchy. In Dillard’s, the hierarchy would be from the employees to sales managers, to general manager, to corporate and so forth. Downward communication is the reciprocal, where
Gibson, J.W., and R.M. Hodgetts. 1991. Organizational Communication – A Managerial Perspective. 2nd Edition. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Kroger was also an inventor, of food products. What was born in his mother’s kitchen, of just a tangy German sauerkraut has grown into over 30 facilities that manufacture the Kroger brand. Just another example this company meeting its objective to serve and please its customer base. Kroger understood from the very beginning, the value of the customer base, which according to the text Managing Customer Relationships is simply put, is to get, keep, and grow customers and is the very objective of the Kroger brand. Mr. Kroger was a natural born leader and servant and built this concept into the very framework of the company. Every step he took, focused on this premise, and soon he built a successful model that many other merchants fervently attempted to duplicate. The modern supermarket owes it roots to this early adventure in
A strong upward and downward communication chain underscores the management and organizational style adopted by Trader Joe's. This means fostering a belief that the store group operates as a team and that individual opinions are valued, rather than an environment where people speak out and are either not heard or have their opinions suppressed (Workforce, 2005). (Schermerhorn, 2012) The company applies its pursuit of value to every facet of its operations” (p.W-99).
Project Management Institute. (2012). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide). Newtown Square, Pa: Project Management Institute.
Effective communication occurs when the right people receive the right information in a timely manner and feedback is received. GM’s organizational communication can be said to be both ineffective and untimely. Owing all to the ignition switch/recall problem which brought many of the organizational problems that exist to light, communication can be considered to be one of GM’s main organizational problems and the biggest contributing factor to its current ignition/recall crisis.
Challenges in Today's U.S. Supermarket Industry. 2014. Challenges in Today's U.S. Supermarket Industry. [ONLINE] Available at:http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479076.aspx. [Accessed 31 March 2014].
Communication is an integral part of working in the business environment. Individuals communicate various pieces of information to internal and external business stakeholders.The design of an organization should provide for communication in four in distinct directions: downward, upward, horizontal, and diagonal. But we have only discuss about downward communication and upward communication, where downward communication is more prevalent than upward communication in organization. Communication can flow vertically or laterally. The vertical dimension can be further divided into downward and upward direction. Downward communication is more prevalent because in this type of communication, we have to give orders and instructions to our sub-ordinates. So we have to explain each and every step that is going to help in work. But in upward communication they sub-ordinates do not have to give instructions their head.
According to Audrey French downward communication means the flow of information from higher level of management to subordinate individuals working within a company. Business managers often need to be very skilled at downward communication in order to properly motivate the staff working under them in their organization. Besides that, Josh O’Connor said downward communication mean occurs when information and messages flow down through an organization's formal chain of command or hierarchical structure. In other words, messages and orders start at the upper levels of the organizational hierarchy and move down toward the bottom levels. Responses to downward communications move up along the same path. Next, according to Sarah Richard, downward communication is an integral part of the traditional organization and probably is still the most frequently used channel in the organization. It may be oral, written, visuals and by electronic devices. Usually, it is dominate...
A study by University of East London shows that the concept of communication is immeasurable in modern management, and it seeks to meet clear understanding between manager and all the employees. It explains that employee communication is the exchange and clear provision of information, commands and directions between management and employees. And it makes the organization to work properly and employees to be well aware about their responsibilities and duties. (University of East London, 2009)
People communicate for three purposes which are: to inform, persuade and entertain. Most managers use 60-80% of their time communicating in many ways which include: be present in meetings, listen and contribute in decision making and problem solve; compose various types of memos to inform and influence others about your viewpoints along with the services and products offered by one’s organization; presents information and influencing messages to large and small groups either face to face or virtual setting; explains and clarifies tasks and procedures
While working at Borders, I experienced quite a bit of upward communication. Employees liked taking their messages to me, I was seen as one of the managers that listened. I would also try to meet their needs by communicating these messages to my ge...
Communication which flows from the superiors to subordinates is known as downward communication means a process of starting communication process from upper level to lower level. Group leaders and managers use it to assign goal, provide jod instruction, explain policies and offer other feedback about performance. Managers can do this in various ways such as via speeches, messages in newsletter, e-mails, leaflets, bulletin boards, memos and others. When the managers of the organization assign goals to their employees, they are using downward communication. The downward communication occurs when information and messages flow down through an organization's formal chain of command or hierarchical structure. In other words, messages and orders start at the upper levels of the organizational hierarchy and move down toward the bottom levels. Responses to downward communications move up along the same path.In an organization structure, the superiors utilize their abilities to attain the desired targets which mean that they may be engaged in issuing commands, directions and policy directives to the persons working under them at lower levels. When engaging in downward communication, managers must explain the reason why a decision was made. One study found employees were twice as likely to be committed to changes when the reasons behind them were fully explained. Although this may seem like common sense, many managers feel they are too busy to explain things or that explanations will “open up a big can of worms.” Downward communication is to provide relevant information, orders, instruction to subordinates. Downward communication is called as instruction type communication system.