Reflection of Cross Culture in Business Communication

Question: Discuss about the Reflection of Cross Culture in Business Communication. Answer Introduction Communication is an integral part of business and effective communication greatly helps in attaining high levels of productivity(Broadbent, 2013). Every organization has a process through which it communicates amongst its various stakeholders. The scope of this current reflection analysis is based on Coles Supermarket, Australia and its problems faced in communications. Coles has various supermarkets based across multiple location, the current case analysis is in regards to its store located at Scarborough Street. The manager of the Company is not able to communicate to its employees effectively as he is seen as a person who cannot speak or write English properly. Thus, the following analysis is done according to Schramms model of communication which includes a dynamic process of transferring message from one person to another(Martin, 2010). Analysis Communication process within an organization involves a complex and dynamic process wherein any type of hindrance may cause barrier to it. In Coles Supermarkets in Australia in Scarborough there is a challenges experienced in communication(Amatya, 2010). According to Schramms model, the manager provides the message in form of an encoder and transfers the message to its employees who in turn decode the message. Figure 1: Schramm's Model of Communication Source: (www.businesstopia.net, Retrieved on 6th April 2017) The message from the encoder gets transferred to the decoder in various forms it can be through letter, email, dashboard messages, meetings and so on. While the message gets transferred through a medium there might be some hindrances which causes the message to change. The most critical part of the message correspondence is the process of transferring message from sender to receiver(Nwagbara, 2013). While the receiver, which in this case are the employees receives the message he decodes it and interprets data in that information. In various instances when the manager had wanted a shelf to be re-aligned to gain customer attention, it was not done as the employees on the shop floor could not follow his instructions. Further, due to the customer pressure at this current store there has been serious miscommunications amongst staffs and manager. While the manager had intended the staffs to help the customers, it had not happened accordingly and it was only later in the day when customer pressure had reduced that staffs attended to customers easily(Arnold, 2015). If the employees could understand the managers message it would help them to easily overcome the challenge in regards to service time and overcrowding issue. This also led to the manager having negative understanding in regards to various employees. The manager due to lack of skill in English language often communicated inappropriately which led to misunderstanding of the information in totality. While his intentions and interpretations are intended with best of means to aim for company growth and development, but his subordinates are not able to understand the information(McQuail, 2015). Thus, the message transferred through either verbal or non-verbal methods is not interpreted correctly which leads to functional inefficiency in the same. Whether in meeting or email or in any other form of communication due to distortions in the language the proper message is not getting transferred. In order to resolve this issue pertaining to communication, the manager needs to undertake classes on communication as well as in English. Such class will help him attain a level in communication which will allow him to communicate without any hindrances and transfer his messages easily to his subordinates. These classes will also help the subordi nates in interpreting the message in a better way(Louhiala-Salminen, 2011). The employees need to provide regular feedback on each message that is intended at them from the manager. Thus, the process of feedback will guarantee that the manager or employees understand each other. Schramms communication framework is effective as it provides a framework for proper communication to take place. It is through the process of continuous feedback that necessary inputs regarding inappropriate communication can be understood and then proper actions to correct it can be taken. Additionally a review of conditions prevailing in communication in any organization has to be understood by means of review technique. While feedback in the Schramms framework will allow understanding and coping with relevant challenges, review of existing process frequently can allow understanding any gaps that prevail in communication(DiSanza, 2016). The Supermarket has to undertake such periodic reviews to enable them to adopt a proper communication process and to enhance productivity. As communication processes greatly deters and influences the entire process of productivity especially in a supermarket store as this one. Hence the Schramms framework has allowed to identify and diagnose any challenges that arise in communication through analysis and overcoming the same. Conclusion Schramms model of communication works with the process of sender and receiver transferring various types of information. The interpretation of the message is undertaken by both receiver and sender of the message. This process works effectively when there is minor or no deviation in message. But in case of any hindrances the message by itself might get distorted or in case the encoder or decoder has any sort of interpretational issue. The above case analysis reflects that while Coles Supermarket manager did not have any operational issue but due to lack of his skills in English language his messages often used to get interpreted in a wrong way. Hence, this process of interpretation can be solved by way of feedback received form several employees and undertaking a course on communication. Reference Lists Amatya, L. K. (2010). Improving communication for management of social-ecological systems in high mountain areas. . Mountain Research and Development, 69-79. Arnold, E. C. (2015). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. . Elsevier Health Sciences. Broadbent, D. E. (2013). Perception and communication. . Elsevier. DiSanza, J. R. (2016). Business and professional communication: Plans, processes, and performance. Pearson. Louhiala-Salminen, L. . (2011). Professional communication in a global business context: The notion of global communicative competence. IEEE Transactions on professional communication, 244-262. Martin, J. N. (2010). Intercultural communication in contexts. McQuail, D. . (2015). Communication models for the study of mass communications. Routledge. Nwagbara, U. . (2013). Corporate social responsibility communication in the age of new media: Towards the logic of sustainability communication. Revista de Management Comparat International, 400. www.businesstopia.net. (Retrieved on 6th April 2017). Schramm's Model of Communication. https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/schramms-model-communication.