Unit 3: Individual Project

Carlene Baines

March 16, 2023

Dr. Kimberly Paul

Table of Contents

My Understanding of Communication (Mind Map) 2 Best Communication Platform for Walmart Stores 2 Advantages of Electronic Communication: 3 Disadvantages of Electronic Communication: 3 Advantages of In-Person Communication: 4 Disadvantages of In-Person Communication: 4 Compare and Contrast Written and Oral Communication Methods 4 Individual Communication 6 Group Communication 7 Communication Channels 8 References 9

For Walmart Stores, the best platforms for communication are virtual and face-to-face. For virtual platforms, Walmart Stores could use video conferencing, instant messaging, and email to communicate with employees. This would allow quick and easy communication across different time zones and locations. For face-to-face communication, Walmart Stores could use regular staff meetings, conferences, and seminars to communicate with employees (Walton, 2020). These types of communication allow for more in-depth conversations and discussions and allow employees to ask questions and get immediate answers. By utilizing virtual and face-to-face communication platforms, Walmart Stores could communicate more effectively with their employees, regardless of location or time zone.

1. Cost-Effective: Electronic communication is much more cost-effective than in-person communication. By using electronic platforms, companies can avoid the expenses associated with travel, such as hotel and transportation costs. With video conferencing, companies can save money renting out a physical meeting space (Mazgaj et al., 2021).

2. Speed: Electronic communication is much faster than in-person communication. With instant messaging, emails, and video conferencing, companies can quickly communicate with employees, regardless of location or time zone.

3. Convenience: Electronic communication is much more convenient than in-person communication. With electronic platforms, companies can communicate with employees without meeting in person. This saves time and allows for more flexibility in scheduling.

1. Lack of Non-Verbal Cues: One of the most significant disadvantages of electronic communication is that it lacks the non-verbal cues that can be important in communication. This can lead to misunderstandings and confusion, as it can be challenging to read the tone of a message when it is sent electronically.

2. Security: Another disadvantage of electronic communication is its lack of security. Emails and instant messages can be intercepted, and video conferencing can be hacked. This can lead to sensitive information being leaked, which can be damaging to a company's reputation.

3. Technical Issues: Electronic communication is also prone to technical issues, such as connectivity issues, slow response times, and system crashes. These types of issues can lead to frustration and delays in communication.

1. Non-Verbal Cues: One of the most significant advantages of in-person communication is that it allows for the exchange of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. This helps clarify communication and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

2. Personal Touch: In-person communication allows for a more personal touch. It allows employees to build relationships and trust, which is essential for successful communication.

3. Clarity: In-person communication also allows for more clarity. It allows for in-depth conversations and the ability to ask questions and get immediate answers. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page.

1. Cost: One of the most significant disadvantages of in-person communication is its cost. Companies must pay for travel expenses, such as hotel and transportation costs. Companies may have to rent out physical space for meetings.

2. Time: In-person communication also takes up much time. Companies must arrange for employees to travel, and meetings can take hours, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.

3. Unnecessary Meetings: In-person communication can also lead to unnecessary or unproductive meetings. Employees may feel obligated to attend meetings, even if the topic is irrelevant or essential, which can waste time and resources.

Written communication is the exchange of written messages or documents between two or more parties. It is typically used to communicate over long distances, as written messages can be sent quickly and easily. Written communication is commonly used for business communications, such as emails, memos, letters, and reports. Oral communication, on the other hand, is the exchange of information or ideas by speaking. It is typically used for short-distance communication, as it is much more difficult to communicate over long distances. Oral communication is often used for meetings, presentations, and interviews.

The main difference between written and oral communication is how the information is conveyed. With written communication, the message is written down and then sent to the intended recipient. With oral communication, however, the message is spoken directly to the recipient (Anurudu & Koroye, 2023). Written communication is typically more formal and is better suited for conveying detailed information. Oral communication, on the other hand, is typically more informal and is better suited for conversations or discussions.

Written communication has several advantages over oral communication. It is generally more efficient, as written messages can be sent quickly and easily. It allows for a clear record of the conversation. On the other hand, oral communication has the advantage of allowing for more immediate feedback and interaction. It allows for more personal interaction, as the conversation can be tailored to the specific situation.

Individual Communication

Email to the Sales Manager

Hello Mr. Hillary,

The wait is over; free shipping is here! Walmart's management has passed a new directive to introduce a new service to its esteemed clients. The organization is launching free shipping services to all clients shopping in its online stores. This service has come at a time that it is needed most. Free shipping is expected to be the game changer. Walmart wants its online clients to feel appreciated and considered as part of the organization.

Free shipping is an upgrade of the quality of the organization's aftersales services to its clients. It is a service upgrade—free shipping on all orders reaching a specific target all day. Initially, the organization offered delivery services to clients at their own cost. Based on the organization's projections and goals, Walmart intends to motivate its customers to buy more regularly to improve sales volume and profitability. The service upgrade also provides a better competitive advantage to the organization. It is maintaining as the industry leader means being the pacesetter. It means taking risky strategies before any other competitors do. Walmart is passionate about the service.

Here is how it will be implemented. Free shipping services will be provided for all clients who shop for our products costing more than $1000. The good part is that the system will automatically charge nil dollars for any products ordered above the minimum set amount. Another criterion will be allowing clients to subscribe monthly or annually to our premium services on the website, where any product bought online will be shipped freely. Free shipping service is set to be launched officially on April 1, 2023. In doing this, the organization expects you to deliver this: inform the sales team about the new service, train and educate them on the importance of the service, select members of the sales team who will operate the program, prepare a detailed regular report on the progress and performance of the service, coordinate events and systemic process of the program before and after launching and plan for the launch of the service. I wish you good luck!

Regards,

Chief of Staff, Walmart.

Group Communication

Memo to All Staff

To: All Staff

From: Chief of Staff

CC.: Sales Manager

Date: March 15, 2023

Subject: Introducing Free Shipping

The wait is over; free shipping is here! Walmart's management has passed a new directive to introduce a new service to its esteemed clients. The organization is launching free shipping services to all clients shopping in its online stores. This service has come at a time that it is needed most. Free shipping is expected to be the game changer. Walmart wants its online clients to feel appreciated and considered as part of the organization.

Free shipping is an upgrade of the quality of the organization's aftersales services to its clients. It is a service upgrade—free shipping on all orders reaching a specific target all day. Initially, the organization offered delivery services to clients at their own cost. Based on the organization's projections and goals, Walmart intends to motivate its customers to buy more regularly to improve sales volume and profitability. The service upgrade also provides a better competitive advantage to the organization. Operating as the industry leader means being the pacesetter. It means taking risky strategies before any other competitor. Walmart is passionate about the service.

The organization is expecting these new changes sooner. Walmart intends to launch the service on April 1, 2023. The company expects everyone within the organization to be receptive to the program and help the organization to roll out successfully. Every person within the organization has a role to play in this. Some will be delegated direct duties to facilitate the smooth operation of the program, such as front-line services to create awareness physically or virtually. Each department manager must disseminate more information and directives to their respective teams. Let everyone brace themselves for this because we are a family and must soldier on together. Thank you all!

Regards,

Chief of Staff.

Communication Channels

Passing the information to all staff requires a different channel and view from the individualized. One evident difference is that writing to a larger group requires more general language yet is more formal than individualized one (Osmanović et al., 2021). Also, the channel is more formal for a larger group than the one used for the sales manager. The email to the sales manager is more detailed and uses more straightforward and specific language than the latter. The roles and duties expected in facilitating the service are more specific to the sales manager because it is a one-time message. The email is action-oriented compared to the memo, which creates awareness among all employees. That is why the memo does not include specific responsibilities but rather informative information detailing the importance of the service and further directions to be released later at the departmental level.

Email is a suitable formal communication channel, especially when a few parties are involved. It allowed the chief of staff to personalize the information and maintain the message, theme, and timeline (Sabbagh, 2021). On the other hand, a memo is a perfect and ideal channel for passing generalized organizational information or directives to a larger audience. It is less costly and quick. Also, it provides an opportunity to relay the information online and in written records that can be pinned on the noticeboards for everyone to see (Osmanović et al., 2021). However, both emails and memos complement each other because they are formal and effective channels reliable for organizational use.