Effects of technology on internal business communications

Communication is an important consideration when doing any kind of business. Without strong communication, businesses are likely to find themselves plagued with significant problems, both internal and external to the organization.

This is especially true in today's business environments because many companies do not just work within the parameter of one building, or, in some cases, even in one country.

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Globally connected

In today's world organizational structures and cultures are changing. Businesses are no longer made up of people from the same geographical area working together. The integration of technology has also created virtual workplaces that bring a lot of people working together who may never meet personally. Today's organizations are interacting and working in offsite and/or global business frameworks, adding a new dimension to the challenges organizations face with communication.

As a result, communicating within the global business network and economy has had a definitive impact on the workplace. As organizations are restructured and expanded across borders, this makes the reliance upon technical communication tools a necessity. Without these, communication will have difficulty taking place.

The tech angle

Technology can be utilized to enhance communication, yet it also has impact on the "personal touch" in many organizations. Because so much communication takes place through technological means, often the face-to-face or even the conversational value of communication is left to the wayside.

Technological innovation has also created a different work environment even within the same building. People no longer are necessarily inclined to walk down the hall to have a conversation or ask a question. It's not uncommon for bosses and colleagues to email one another throughout the work day, even if they are located a few steps down the hall.

In addition, the inclusion of video conferencing has changed the dynamics in the work place as well and employees no longer travel to conferences and meet with colleagues. Tools such as email, instant messaging, SMS and phone conferences have added a new dimension to communication.

The rise of mobile

Mobile is on the rise too, which is also having a huge impact on communication. It's not just the larger companies using mobile, small business owners are also heavily using their devices. As a result, people have to carefully consider how they phrase their messages because texts, emails and other messaging are often made rapidly from mobile. Hurried messages can easily be misinterpreted.

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With all the organizational re-structuring that is happening in many businesses, people all need to adjust to the changes and learn how to adapt their communicative styles in order to ensure messages are delivered and received as intended.

In any business, large or small, it is important management makes a concentrated effort to not only acknowledge communicative issues that arise, but also make strides to bridge the issues with solutions. If those in charge are not able to successfully promote healthy communication, many of these issues can manifest and create deeper rooted problems within an organization.

Technology indisputably has added great value to doing business, but it is important to address the drawbacks too, especially when it comes to communication. Communication is a valuable component to the success of every business. It's important to get it right.