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Module 4: Communication and Networking |
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Evangelia Chatzikonstantinou, Panagiotis Kallianis, Maria Symeonidou, Stylianos Portokalidis |
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Effective communication is a critical tool for building relations not only between individuals but also between companies. It is the connecting link and key factor influencing success in any collaboration, partnership, or transaction. Communication is also a key element for Collaborative innovation and its supporting activities. By acquiring communication skills, you can:
To increase the effectiveness of your communication, in this module it is important to learn about the most important communication skills: Verbal communication can be any written or spoken communication where a message is transmitted through words and gets across to the receiver. Active listening is the ability to focus completely on the speaker, understand their message, comprehend the information, and respond thoughtfully, Empathy is also one of the most important skills in the internal and external environment of a company. It means the quality or process of entering fully, through imagination, into the other person’s shoes. 2 Teamwork skills are also important for communication and networking: Management of people, is the process of training, motivating and directing employees to optimise workplace productivity and promote professional growth Adaptability is the ability to be flexible and adjust to changing factors, conditions or environments (Source www.sayit.com) |
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Upon completing this module, you should be able to: |
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Verbal Communication
Verbal communication IS when a message is transmitted through words and gets across to the receiver. Non-verbal communication is communication that includes gestures, body language, appearance and paralinguistics. Managers who are able to use both types of communication effectively (verbal and non-verbal communication), can cooperate with partners to achieve mutual goals, bring new ideas and as a result be successful in their job, and improve the customer services of the company. The final result from the development of this skill is that the manager could be able to identify the cognitive and practical skills, solve communication problems generating solutions to these problems, and know how to select, as well as apply basic methods, tools, material and information for better internal communication (with colleagues, superiors) and communication outside the company (with partners, clients, suppliers). Furthermore excellent verbal communication helps to manage complex technical or professional activities or projects and eases taking responsibility for decision-making in the communication strategy of the company, but also teach junior staff how to effectively communicate with partners, sub-contractors and customers. (Source www.sayit.com)
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/group-diverse-people-having-business-meeting_2894621.htm#query=office&position=0&from_view=search
Interactive exercise
You are the manager of a food company in a small town and the Board of Directors decided to close the department. The employees must choose between moving to another town to work, or quitting.
How are you going to inform the employees about this?
Story choices
Story feedback
a) Sending an e-mail is the worst way for informing your staff about such an important issue. This decision will cause drastic changes in all employee’s lives and they would feel better if they had the chance to communicate on-site with you and have a dialogue.
b) Using skype meetings is like telling your staff that you are afraid of meeting them in person and you will look like a coward. Online communication is not like on-site communication and they will be disappointed by the way you choose to communicate.
c) This is the most proper way of announcing that decision. Organising a staff meeting and informing on site your employees will allow you to better communicate with your staff.