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,
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).
Kroger CEOs, Past and Present. (2012). SN: Supermarket News, Vol. 60(49), p24. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.southuniversity.libproxy.edmc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=84011728&site=ehost-live&scope=site
The purpose of this memo is to show the affects of how Albertson’s is trying to implement many strategies in order to try, and compete with its powerhouse competitor Wal-Mart. This memo will contain information on steps Albertson’s is taking to gain back some of the market share that Wal-Mart has swallowed up. It will also describe Albertson’s planned innovations that will be what determines their success. Lastly it will discuss how through IT as well as a successful implementation of satisfying consumers demands, will possibly allow them to compete with the ever so powerful Wal-Mart.
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
Roberts, Bryan. Berg, Natalie. Walmart: Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer. Kogan Page Limited, 2012. Print.
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.
Project Management Institute . (2008). A Guide to the Project Management body Of Knowledge. Newton Square, PA: Project Management Institute, Inc.
Communication is the process of conveying information to each another using words, actions, or by writing the information down to be read by another person. Communication is something that most people do at some point each day, and is an important part of life especially in a working environment. “The concept of communication is an essential part of every profession, and it is required to foster and maintain healthy relationships”( Jasmine, 2009, para. 1).
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].
Promote communication within an organization vertically and horizontally while balancing various management and operational elements;
PMBOK, (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge : (PMBOK guide). 5th ed. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, Inc..
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.
C & C Grocery’s initial organizational structure operated under a vertical linkage. Vertical linkage is utilized to “coordinate activities between the top and bottom of an organization and are designed primarily for control of the organization” (Daft,2013) Store managers were responsible for the grocery line, front-end department and general store operations but had little knowledge about merchandising, meat and produce. Instead, their duties included cleanliness of store, employee appearance, and sufficient checkout service and price accuracy. Store managers wanted to be trained in management skills to allow them opportunity for promotion to higher positions of district and regional management. With the original structure, store managers operation activities actually prevented them from learning these skills, such as merchandising. Frustration ran high with the store managers as the district store supervisors only focused store visits to assure that company operating standards were being practices, instead of training store managers to run their stores more efficiently. The decision to have a district specialist in grocery, meat and produce created an uneven hierarchy as the meat and produce managers reported to their specialist not the store manager. This created tension in the work environment as these departments acted independently and uninterested in the other departments. This structure in general contributed to poor communication, lack of priority for employee development and employee dissatisfaction which in turn lead to poor performance in the chain.
As in all aspects of personal and professional life, having effective communication is a key element of success. Effective communication can benefit your relationships with people. By conveying your message and integrating them as a member of the team and not just a subordinate leads to better production. By effectively communicating you can clearly define job responsibilities and expectations. The better you are able to communicate the less likely organizational turnover of personnel will occur. Supervisors and leaders in the professional workplace find that the most important factor in advancement and retain ability is effective communication. Senior level executives and human resources managers are stressing the importance of communication and providing more training for mid-level management. Emphasis is placed on communication being clear by being transmitted strongly.
There are many types of communication. The first one I would like to communicate is vertical communication. The definition of vertical communication is the flow of information both downward and upward through the organizational chain of command. Some also refer to it as formal communication. Downward communication kind of speaks for itself; top-level management produces decisions that are communicated down to tell employees how to perform their job.