Strategic Communication Audit in Samsung - Research Proposal Example

Strategic Communication Audit Name Date Course Abstract The strategic communication concepts have greatly gained popularity due to globalization. The big companies have embraced the use of strategic communication in their operations. Samsung is one of the global companies that utilize the concepts of strategic communication. Training programs are common for the purposes of enabling the flow of communication. This is usually achieved together with the use of organizational videos and printed materials regarding the company. On the other hand, the organizational websites together with the employee handbook provides important information to the employees regarding the operations of the company. The middle level managers who are located in different parts of world play a key role in terms of implementing the strategic management plans and concepts. The process is also improved through the support of the corporate affairs department of the company. Samsung has been able to successfully use strategic communication for achieving its goals and objectives. Introduction The big companies have extensive operations due to the number of branches that it has all over the world. This is due to the issues of globalization which has seen most of the companies open new branches in different countries and in different continents. The management of the big companies is thus dependant on communication. The headquarters has to make policies that the branches of the company have to adopt. However due to globalization, cultural diversity as well as the language barrier are some of the challenges that the companies are faced with in terms of communication (Frederick, 2013). The barriers may lead to conflicts within the company despite internal communication being an important tool for the management of the company. In other instances, the middle level manages have to travel oversees for meeting, communication problems may rise during the meeting. Companies therefore need to put in place efficient communication methods for the purposes of ensuring the growth and development of the company. Samsung is one of the global companies that have its branches in Africa, Asia, South America and Europe although it is a South Korean company (Samsung, 2013). The management structure of the company is the same in each of the continent. Internal communication is a significant aspect when it comes to the operations of the company. The middle level managers always ensure that the strategic information is shared throughout the company. The first line managers of the company also play an important role in terms of ensuring that information is passed to the employees and the various departments. The paper thus discusses the concepts of strategic communication in relation to Samsung which is an international company. Literature review Training programs The training programs are for the purposes of enhancing the communication process within an organization. This is because the training programs usually involved different members of the organization. In big companies the training programs usually involves members of different continents. The interaction between the members of the diverse groups is an important aspect of improving communication. On the other hand the training programs are usually held for the purposes of equipping the members with more knowledge on the communication process (Bunchapattanasakda, 2008). Improvement of the communication process can be achieved through training. The training programs also offer the company the platform to equip members with the information that has to be communicated to the other members and employees of the organization. Samsung values the training programs for the employers and the managers. The train is usually conducted on a regular basis and the middle level managers have to attend as they play an important role in terms of communication to the employees the policies of the company. Training programs are also for capacity building in order to enhance the communication process of the company. This has been useful in terms of promoting the flow of information from within the company. Organizational websites The organizational websites always [provide important information regarding the company. The operational information of accompany are usually posted on the websites. However for the big companies the websites have to be developed for the purposes of serving all the regions that the companies operates. Due to differences in the language spoken in different regions, an organizational website may be designed in different languages. The members can thus log in where the language suits them. The organizational websites is also used for the purposes of communication between the different branches of the company and the different managers. Companies always avail certain important information to the managers through their website (Karlsson, 2009). To access some of the information, the members have to sign in using special passwords. This is also for the purposes of protecting the classified information of the company. The website for Samsung has been specially designed to suite all the communication needs of the company. Different languages have also been used for the purposes of ensuring communication is enhanced among the members in different continents. A specialized team has also been established in the company for the purposes of updating the members with any important information regarding the operations of the company. This has played a key role in terms of improving the communication process within the company. The website of the company is thus considered an important communication tool. Employee handbook The employee handbook is an important communication tool within the company. It is usually given to the employee by the employer. It contains all the information that the employees have to know regarding the policies and procedures that are used within the company. This provides useful information to the employees and hence its importance in terms of communication. All the job related information is usually contained in the employee handbook and it also acts a guide to the new members of staff (Wolf, 2009). The rules and regulations of the company are also contained in the employee’s handbook. Most of the rules and regulations are usually self explanatory and hence its ease of communication with the employees. In most of the companies, the organizational culture of the company is usually contained in the employee handbook. The communication is thus enhanced through the employee handbook as it ensures that the employee works for the purposes of meeting the goals and objectives of the company. Samsung usually provides the employees with the handbook which is available both in soft and hard copy. The employee handbook of the company contains all the information that the employees need to know about the company and how they should conduct themselves. It is usually provided for every new member of staff of the company. The handbook has been printed in different languages so as to suite the communication needs of all the employees where the company is operating. Organizational videos The organizational videos are important communication tools. These are usually videos that have been prepared by the company for the purposes of communicating its operations as well as the achievements. The also act as important management tools as the managers are able to obtain important information regarding the operations of the company and the gains that the company has made. The videos therefore [provides the managers with the information of the areas of weaknesses and hence determining what needs to be done in order to improve the prospects of the company. In the big companies, the videos are usually sent to the different branches and hence ensuring that each o the manager in the branch has updated information regarding the company. The organizational vides are usually used in the board meeting to make presentations as well as providing information regarding the operations of the company (Betanho, 2013). The use of organizational videos usually plays an important role in the communication process of Samsung Company. A specialized team is responsible for the preparation of the videos which are then sent online to the different middle level manages. The employees are also allowed access to some of the organizational videos. The organizational videos of the company are also used for the purposes of communicating with the employees regarding certain tasks that need to be performed. The skills of the employees are also enhanced through the use of the organizational videos and hence enabling the company to achieve its goals and objectives. The organizational videos are usually released on a regular basis depending on the information that needs to be circulated within the company. Printed materials produced by the communication The printed materials play an important role in terms of enhancing the communication process within an organization. The printed materials also have special information regarding the operations of the company. Some of the printed materials usually contain instructions that are useful during the operations of various tasks by the employees. This enhances the communication process within the company as it enables them to perform the required tasks in the correct manner. Other printed materials also show the performance of the company in a particular period (Gall, 2013). This is for the purposes of communicating to the employees about the status of the company and hence determining whether the goals and objectives of the company were met. Samsung usually distributes printed materials for the purposes of communication. This is usually done during the meetings that are organized at different branches of the company. Printed materials are also availed to the employees so as to enable them to perform their tasks effectively in relation to the aims and objectives of the company. The company always produces the printed materials from time to time after meetings and also during the training programs of the employees and the managers. This has played an important role in terms of enhancing the communication process within the company. Meeting procedures The meetings are for the purposes of discussing important business issues that affects the operations of a company. During the meetings, communication plays an important role as the members have to understand the concepts of the meetings for the purposes of implementing the policies and procedure that were reached at during the meeting. The members participating in the meeting must be active listeners. On the other hand, the speakers have to communicate clearly to the members so as to ensure that they understand the issues being discussed (Brown, 2012). The language used during the meeting is also important as the people in the meeting may not understand the same language. Samsung always conduct meeting from time to time. However with the advancement of technology, the managers may not be required to travel to the headquarters. The meeting can be done through video conferencing. This is a technology that is also gaining a lot of support from the company. However due to the language barrier among different members, interpretation aids are available. This is for the purposes of encouraging each member to participate in the meeting and also understand what is being discussed. This has played an important role in improving the meeting procedures within the company. Internal communication processes The internal communication process is important for the purpose of enhancing the working relations among the members of staff. The internal communication is important for the purposes of informing the members of staff the direction that the organization intends to take. During the decision making process, the consultations are important for the purposes of ensuring that the decision made benefits the organization. The internal communication process is thus used during consultations. On the other hand, the company may need to involve the members of staff during the decision making process (Singh, 2013). The internal communication process plays an important role during such meetings. Most of the organizations have a corporate affairs department which is responsible for handling the internal communication processes. The team acts as a bridge in the communication process by linking the managers and the employees. This provides opportunity for the needs of the employees to be addressed by the management. Samsung has a corporate affairs department in all its branches worldwide. The department is responsible for the enhancement of the internal communication. The middle level manages play an important role in linking the department with the other employees and hence ensuring that the company moves in the intended direction. This has increased the efficiency of communication within the company. The company has been able to achieve its goals and objectives through the effective internal communication process. Informal communication practices The informal communication is usually used without observing the laid out procedures that are required by the authorities during the communication process (Fussell, 2013). In most of the big organization, the use of informal communication is used by the employees for the purposes of fulfilling some desires. This may include obtaining information regarding the operations of the company or grievances that the employees are concerned about. The informal communication may take place between the managers and the employees during the open meetings where any member of staff is free to raise any issue. The managers are also able to know the grievances that the employees are facing during the informal communication process. Team building is also enhanced through the information communication process and hence ensuring that harmony is created within the company. The informal information can also be used for the purpose of decision making. At Samsung, the use of informal communication is allowed in some instances. This is common during the meetings between the members of staff and the managers in a bid to solve the problems being experienced by the employees. This is usually carried out in all the branches of the company as the problems differ between one region to the other. During team activities, the informal communication is also used so as to ensure that the members are free with each other and hence making the communication process easy. The information obtained through the informal communication is usually scrutinized by the management so as to take the required action. Communication in Relation to Operational Procedures The operational procedures are important in terms of determining whether an organization will be able to meet its goals and objectives. The operational procedures usually require a high level of communication as the operations is usually carried out by different members of the organization. The managers play an important role in terms of putting in place the measures to ensure that the communication process is smooth. The supervisors have to give clear instructions to the employees so as to ensure that the required standards are met (Downs, 2012). The products of a company can only achieve the required standards incase of proper communication during the operations. The employees must understand the operational instructions for them to perform their tasks effectively. The poor performance of an organization is usually linked to the lack of proper communication when conducting the operational procedures. Samsung is known for producing the best quality of products allover the world. This is attributed to the proper communication during the operational procedures that company carries out. A part from the verbal instructions, the employees are also provided with manuals that guide them when carrying out their operations. The middle level managers are usually tasked with the role of ensuring that the correct operational information is available to the members of staff for the benefit of the company. Statement of research question What is the relationship between the use of strategic communication and the success of a big company? Methodology The collection of the data was important for the purposes of obtaining information about the topic. The information obtained was used to answer the research question about strategic communication. The information was mainly obtained from literature review. Theories of strategic communication were analyzed for the purposes of obtain correct information. The materials used were up to date and credible. This was for the purpose of ensuring that the report is accurate and it reflects real information regarding the research question. The interviews were not conducted during the research. However additional knowledge regarding the company was used in some of the areas. Useful information was obtained during the research which offered a clear insight on the role of strategic communication within an organization. Findings The strategic communication is an important concept for an organization and it plays a big role in terms of meeting the goals and objectives of an organization. Strategic communication concepts are also relevant when dealing with big organizations that have branches in different parts of the world. The strategic communication links the different branches of the global organization and hence ensuring that all the operations of the company are carried out in accordance with the general goals and objectives of the organizations. The middle level managers play an important role in the coordination of strategic management activities with the organization. The corporate affairs department in most of the big companies plays an important role of enhancing the strategic communication. The policies of the organization can also be passed to the employees through the use of the strategic communication principles. The strategic communication principles are also useful in terms of developing the correct mechanism to be used for the purposes of conveying information to the employees. The information flow with a company is also achieved through the strategic communication concepts. This also enables the big companies to ensure that the branches of the company receive any information that is required for the purposes of ensuring the success of the organization. Samsung is a global company with branches all over the world and has successfully put in place a communication strategy that is used for the information flow in the company. This has greatly contributed to the growth and development of the company and hence contributing to its success. Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, it is worth noting that strategic communication has impacted positively on the operations of Samsung which is a global company. The training programs and the organizational websites provide the employees and the managers with important information regarding the operations of the company. It is also evident that the use of he organizational videos and the employee handbook gives more information to the staff members regarding what they should do in order to meet the goals and objectives of the company. On the other hand, the meeting procedures as well as the internal communication process of the company are guided by the strategic management concepts. The informal communication enables the managers to collect the information regarding their grievances to the employees. Most of the operational procedures are also smoothened through strategic communication. It is recommended that the company should continue using the concepts of strategic communication in order to meet its goals and objectives. The strategic communication objectives should be fully incorporated in the general objective of the company. This will increase the use of the concepts during the operations of the company. Measures should also be put in place to determine the effectiveness of the strategic communication. This is mainly for the purposes of making improvements with regards to strategic communication. The employee’s roles should also be clearly explained in the strategic communication plans. The middle level companies should also continue to play a leading role in terms of enhancing the strategic communication plans within the company. References Samsung, 2013, Samsung, Available at: http://www.samsung.com/au/#latest-home, (Accessed: 11th October 2013). Frederick, W, T, 2013, Principles of Scientific Management, Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911), Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/economics/taylor/principles/introduction.htm (Accessed: 11th October 2013). Bunchapattanasakda, C, 2008, Managing talented employees: A study of leading corporations in Europe, European Journal of Social Sciences, 6(1), 70-90. Karlsson, M, 2009, Online news, organizational websites and issues management: Swedish case studies on how organizations utilized their websites to address issues noticed by online news media. Wolf, D, 2009, Employee Handbook Must Haves, Fam. Advoc., 32, 10. Betanho, C, 2013, Online Social Networks and the New Organizational Spaces, Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 8, 154-165. Gall, J, 2013, Dispelling five myths about e-books, Information technology and libraries, 24(1), 25-31. Brown, R, 2012, Meeting Procedures and Liability Issues for Public Officials, A Guide to Urban Planning in Texas Communities. Singh, A, 2013, Achieving Sustainability Through Internal Communication and Soft Skills, The IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 7(1), 21-26. Fussell, S, 2013, Understanding informal communication in multilingual contexts, In Proceedings of the 2013 conference on Computer supported cooperative work (pp. 909-922). ACM. Downs, C, 2012, Assessing organizational communication: Strategic communication audits, Guilford Press. Read More