GUIDELINE 4 ACTIVITY ONE
1.1 Open your Market Leader book on page 97 and develop exercises A to C on internal communication.
1.1.1 How do companies communicate with employees? What methods can you think of?
· Internal networks, with as intranet
· Social Networks
· Cell
· Avantel
1.1.2 Complete the text below using the words from the box.
Company intranet electronic face to face print workplace
How do companies communicate with employees? What methods can you think of?
These days, companies are spending more time and money on improving internal communication This is the communication which takes place inside an organisation. Communication will be downwards (from managers to junior staff), upwards (from staff to managers) and across (between staff), as well between individuals and groups of people. There are various channels which can be used. These can be divided into five main areas:
Print paper -based communication, e.g. magazines, newspapers, newsletters ,letters ,notes and messages.
Face to face: direct contact with other people, e.g. one-to-one meetings, team meetings forums, conferences, briefings.
Workplace: physical objects in the working environment or workspace, e .g .notice boards,
Electronic: communication using computers, phones, televisions, etc., e, g, DVD, e-mail voicemail, SMS messages, electronic newsletters, conference calls
Company intranet: using social media to create an internal community, e.g. posting profiles, writing blogs and wikis, starting discussion forums, etc. Many leaders write internal blogs. Employees may join chat rooms, forums or message boards to post ideas and comments or upload images and discuss with other employees around the world. They may also be able to download information from the intranet.
Improvements in communication lead to better-informed, happier and more motivated employees, who will become more loyal to their company.
1.1.3 Match each of the words in red in Exercise B to one of these definitions.
· move information from a network to a PC: Download
· web page written by an individual: channels
· put information from a PC onto a network (2 words): post upload
· methods of communication blogs
· knowledge-sharing site wikis
· chances for people to discuss subjects: forums
· meetings where information or instructions are given: briefings
1.2 Now open your Market Leader book on page 105 and develop exercises A to C on company cultures.
1.2.1 A Different companies have different cultures and ways of working. Complete these sentences with the items in brackets. One of the items in each section cannot be used.
Dress (uniforms/ casual Fridays/ weekend clothes)
· We don’t have to wear business suits at the end of the week. My company has a system of casual Fridays.
· In many banks, staff can’t wear what they like. They have to wear uniforms
Timekeeping (flexi time/ part-time/ shift work)
· For two weeks each month, I work at night. I can’t sleep during the day. I hate shift work
· We have a flexi time System in our office. Some people choose to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; others work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Time off (childcare/ annual leave / public holiday)
· I am so busy at the moment that I worked on New Year’s Day, which is a public holiday
· How many days ‘annual leave.do you get in your company?
Reporting procedures (written report / face to face / e-mail)
· We often speak on the phone, but never face to face
· He uploads a written report on the company intranet each month.
Types of meeting (informal /formal /social)
· Our department starts every day with an informal meeting. It is very relaxed.
· Companies have an Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year. It is a very formal meeting, with a lot of people.
Names (job title/ first name /family names)
· In some countries, the company culture is formal. Staff use first name When they speak to each other.
· What’s your job title now? Are you Chief Executive?
1.2.2 Would you like to work for an organisation which has?
Uniforms A lot of formal meetings Casual Fridays Flexible hours