21 October 2022 – 8am

Read this article and then download the document below and write brief answers to the questions. When you have completed your answers, you can forward them by email.

Homework Adrian Willig 21 October

  1. What are the most common communication errors you encounter in your daily business?

The most common mistakes in communication are a lack of or unclear information, a poor error culture and insufficient involvement of teams in decisions. Often, mutual expectations are not clear either. Lack of credibility and authenticity are also often observed.  

  • Do you think organisations are more challenged going forward in relation to communication due tot he increase in virtual team and remote working? Add a comment to your answer

Yes, definitely the demands on communication have become greater and more complex due to remote working. Since employees are seen less frequently and random conversations at the coffee machine or in the corridor are no longer possible, one has to inform more systematically and consciously ensure regular exchange. Often the effect of communication is not so easy to recognise due to a lack of body language. You have to ask specific questions and consciously inquire about the well-being oft he collegues. External stress factors such as family obligations, etc. can´t also be recognised either on the screen.

  • Apart from the obvious technical media, what would you say have been the most significant improvements in how organisations communicate internally and externally in the last 20 years? 

In internal communication, much more emphasis is placed on transparency of decisions and employee participation. There are more feedback opportunities and exchange platform than 20 years ago. External communication is increasingly taking place in “real time”, e.g. in social media. This has made it faster and customers  and society expect more dialogue with companies. There is also more participation here. In terms of content, social responsibility, corporate values and climate protection play a more important role than in previous years before. In communication, bosses and entrepreneurs must also be more visible themselves and communicate credibly and honestly on behalf of the company.