Business Communication.....Global Manager

How important is communication in business? Well...this question does not fit the current scenario as evaluating the importance of communication in the field of business is quite preposterous. However as an MBA student I used to wonder at this close relationship between communication and business. Here at Amrita we are groomed to build this relationship and keep communication as a strong weapon in our armory especially during placements. Here is where last week’s colloquium by Dr P K C  Bose catches its relevance.

Dr. P.K.C Bose, MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO at SAERTEX INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (a wholly owned subsidiary of SAERTEX Group, Germany) visited ASB last week to deliver a talk on business communication and its relevance in the current field of business.The session was quite different from the usual colloquia talks.It included more of an activity based learning that made the session more interactive and lively. To begin with Dr. Bose showed us incomplete figures labelled “I am a common animal, find who am I?” and “the incomplete figure of an onion” and asked us to interpret them. I was surprised at the kind of responses that evoked from within us. Through that exercise, Dr. Bose was actually emphasizing on the importance of completeness of information and as to how effective communication can achieve it.

Having set the necessity of communication Dr. Bose navigated us to the different modes of effective communication and how we can achieve them. We understood that, for communication to be effective, one has to ensure that the message conveyed reaches the person on the other end in the right sense. He highlighted the fact that in business communication assumptions don’t work and drawing conclusions from words unsaid could turn dangerous.

Now, are words the only means of communication? Certainly not! Our non verbal cues (gestures and postures) convey a lot more than what we speak. Imagine, a presenter on stage looking only at the judge? How would you feel? Left out and frustrated? That’s where, eye contacts and facial expressions matter. How about wearing floaters and casuals when we organize a meeting? Doesn’t that sound weird? In fact, our attire is what creates the first impression among people whom we don’t know. The more well dressed and health conscious we are, the greater would be our confidence, and the better would be our performance

Considering the above thought, the pros and cons of different forms of communication were highlighted upon.Generally, we feel more involved and wanted when we are addressed face to face, than through any other means of communication.  This is because actions speak louder than words. Dr. Bose focused on the different facets of face-to-face communication like eye contacts, feelings and emotions which are the key ingredients to make it more effective.He told us that when we opt for telephonic conversations, we often tend to forget that fact that we have no direct contact with the other person. So, the matter content has to be precise and communicated at the right tone.

   
     After touching base upon the non verbal cues of communication, he highlighted the effective form of written communication. He said that we could be harsh orally, as the feeling is just momentary. But in written communication, lot of thought process has to be involved so that the message is made emphatic by words with the tone being polite. Also he warned us that vital information should never be shared through telephone.

·    
       Most of us feel good when we communicate in our local language. Especially, the Germans, the Italians and the French, tend to become friendlier when spoken in their local language. Dr. Bose pitched into this attribute of communication with his personal life example - "Itata Komasu". Can we afford to forget “Itata Komasu”???Well, that was an interesting experience for Cross Cultural Communication quoted by Dr. Bose with the President and CEO of The American Shipping Corporation, and I leave it to you to revisit that incident in his life.

Later he discussed the need of connecting to the audience. When we fail to understand our audience, the message is not conveyed properly and the very purpose of communication is not served. We must understand that people differ in their perspectives and it is very essential that we bring the element of commonness among us for effective communication.  To get your message across in the right sense to the listeners, the content of the matter must be precise with the choice of the right words.

To summarize the session, Dr.Bose gave us five take-aways which we need to carry along with us throughout our business life. They are: 

·         Interest to communicate.

·         Know the audience well.

·         See things from the others’ perspective

·         Choose the right medium.

·         Keep it brief

 Overall the session helped us to gain some crucial insights into the field of business communication and I, on behalf of ASB, thank Dr. Bose who effectively communicated the need of the hour for business students - a competent business communication.



 To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others

                                          - Anthony Robbins: American Self Help Author and Motivational Speaker

Bad human communication leaves us less room to grow

                                          - Rowan D. Williams: Anglican Bishop, Poet and Theologian

                                                                      by Nirupama , Team Colloquia Member