Skip to main content

Business Communication should facilitate and encourage Learning


What is a learning organisation and why should business communication facilitate learning? In this article I will interchangeable refer to a business and an organization which basically refers to a company that continuously transforms itself by facilitating the learning of its employees.  Employees in a learning organization share the same vision and have a team approach to learning.  Employees in a learning organization work smarter and are knowledgeable about any new products and processes of the business as well as how the macro-environment affects the business. Training programmes are thus essential to develop employees. The manager uses the skills of employees in the business to come up with creative solutions to any problems facing the business.  To facilitate learning in a business, communication is reliable and trusted by employees. The communication strategy of a business instills trust through honest and transparent communication. Business communication is receptive to learning while business behavior is changed to reflect any new insight as a result of a learning experience. 

What are the characteristics of a learning organization?
  • A good communication strategy is in place that encourages open and honest communication in the business.
  • Knowledge acquired through training programmes are incorporated into the business.
  • Employees have a shared vision to continuously improve the business through a learning process.  This shared vision is encouraged by the manager and in the communication strategy.
  • Innovation and new ideas are encouraged.
  • The business is actively looking for new knowledge.
  • The business is continuously looking to adopt  best industry practices.
  • The business learns from its past successes and failures.
  • New knowledge is immediately transferred in the business using different channels of communication.
  • Employees develop themselves to achieve their different goals and objectives.
  • Any form of criticism is tolerated and used to improve the business.
  • Leadership in the business empowers employees.
  • Feedback mechanisms are in place to evaluate learning in the business.
 
Is your business a learning organization or still a traditional organization? 

 Related post:

 Why Infographics could be used as a business communication tool
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

The role of the manager in effective business communication

Happy employees are more productive. Business communication is no longer about how to write a letter, email or use effective writing skills.  It has also extended to other areas in the business, for example, excellent relationships within the business. A manager should not only concentrate on successful communication with its external clients, customers and stakeholders.  The employees of the business actually are   internal clients   and should also be treated with care.  Many scholars refer to this as   internal marketing , a very important feature of good business communication.  Employees’ well-being and work satisfaction play a large role in their productivity and how loyal they will be towards the business.  The role of the manager is to ensure good relationships with and among employees.   A healthy working environment is equally important.  Previous research has indicated that employees also have other career as...
Read more

Time for a communication audit?

When is the right time to do a communication audit in a business?  Why is it important to know whether communication in a business is effective or not? During a communication audit the strength and weaknesses of all communication in the business is analyzed, namely its communication policies, strategies, practices, messages, capabilities and even the media that are used, including social and other online media. If you have read some of my other postings in this blog, you will know how important communication in a business is.  Lack of effective communication can even cause the business to eventually fail. When is the right time to do a communication audit?  You could consider a communication audit in your business when: a major restructuring of the business is taking place   the business seems to be failing and not reaching its objectives. union negotiations are upcoming a merger or acquisition of another business might be happening a new management ...
Read more

How Storytelling can liven up Business Communication

Storytelling is referred to by some experts as the future of internal communication.  Telling stories is not new and has been around for thousands of years. Many psychologists can tell you that something is better remembered if it is linked to a compelling story.  This is just how our brains work. This is why storytelling can be a powerful internal communication tool to engage and inspire employees. Using stories for internal communication messages could evoke a shared sense of identity due to an emotional connection with the stories. Language The Coca-Cola Brand is renowned for its stories. can be used to the business' advantage as it can evoke such emotional connection with other employees and what the business stands for. Businesses therefore now also use stories to share or explain their business culture or goals. The business can, for example, use stories to explain difficult data, facts, and figures.  Stories can also pro...
Read more