Business Communication: Enhancing Communication through Digital Technology

This report discusses the importance of digital communication technology in business communication and how it can be used to enhance communication in organizations. It compares two different platforms, Slack and Confluence, with their uses, advantages and disadvantages. The report also identifies the factors that need to be considered while implementing communication platforms in an organization. The report is based on the case study of Kmart, an Australian chain of departmental stores.

Business
communication

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Digital communication technology......................................................................................1
Comparing two different platforms with their uses, advantages and disadvantages....2
Factors needs to be considered while implementing in organisation...............................3
Recommendation..................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
References:.......................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
The process of business communication involves the information sharing between employee
within and outside a company as to reach goals and aligned with core values of company. The
use of modern business communication technologies in organisation help in supporting and
improving of business practices which becomes crucial for the success of business. The use of
technologies enables business to communicate between different level of management, among
different functions of business with their stakeholders and customers to have smooth business
operations (Jayapandian, 2019). For the report Kmart is been considered which is an Australian
chain of departmental stores owned by Kmart group division of West farmers. 323 stores are
operated by company across Australia and New Zealand. It was incorporated in 1969 where
headquarter is in Mulgrave, Melborne, Australia. The report covers digital communication
technology, comparing two different platforms with its uses, advantages and disadvantages. In
addition, factors are identified which needs to be considered while implementing in organisation.
MAIN BODY
Digital communication technology
It defines the type of communication which relies on the use of technology as there are
several type of digital communication which is refereed as digital communication channels. It is
tool which allows two or more people to have interaction with one another which can be written,
verbal, visual or audible communication. In context to Kmart several digital communication
technologies are used which help organisation to communicate about its products and services
provided to customers. E-mail is known as Electronic mail which is related to sending and
receiving messages electronically over the internet. It is software technology that requires the use
of computer and mobile devices. The use of this helps Kmart in announcing upcoming updates,
keeping track of ongoing company conversations to colleagues (Kim, 2019). Social media is
primarily internet and mobile based tools for discussing and sharing information on the websites,
sites etc. The use of social media helps Kmart in connecting with many people and provides up-
to date information regarding trends and news. It also improves customer relation and allows
business to demonstrate new products, to engage with specific audiences etc.
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Comparing two different platforms with their uses, advantages and disadvantages
The communication is essential for both relationship and business success. There are
several communication platforms and software which facilitates better collaboration and
connection with clients and partners. In context to Kmart there are several different platforms
which can be used to integrate and connect essential business components.
 Slack- It is group messaging communication software with real time messaging,
archiving and search for teams, helping teams to keep engaged and improves
communication around projects & topics. It is alternative to internal emails along with
employees can also have conversation to each other through direct messages. It can be
used for text messages, voice & video calls, file sharing. It is used for connecting people
to the information that is required by them (Sashi, 2021). It transforms the way
organisation communicates. It involves the key features of integrations, team and
workspaces, private messaging etc.
Advantages- It provides the advantage of creating channel within company where slack
channels for each client involves co-workers that are involved with the client project. It
makes easy to share and collaborate with someone in real time. The data is protected with
this platform with great security.
Disadvantages-The drawback is that conversation is deleted after 14 days which is
required to keep notes of sending something important. There is minimum file storage
and its notifications leads to distraction where employees spend more of their time on
checking slack and less time on actually doing their work.
 Confluence- It is team workspace which is developed for sharing of knowledge with
teammates. It breaks down information silos, turns conversation into projects and
company initiatives are organised. It is considered as great tool for capturing, storing and
assessing company information such as documentation, standard procedures etc. in
context to Kmart. This platform is use by IT and support teams which uses as knowledge
base to centralize and organise all customer facing FAQ and documentation. It is used for
creating product roadmap which project management team use as to align business
strategy with needs of customer (Varma, 2019).
Advantages- It is powerful collaborative tool which provide benefit of creating meeting
notes, project plans, product requirements etc. The use of this tool leads to collaboration
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and anyone with access to space can add to knowledge base. It has thriving marketplace
of integrations with other parties which helps in creating better charts for connecting
Google’s products suite.
Disadvantages- The search is considering one of the most difficult problem.
Infrastructure for hosting is drawback which requires self-host for having advance
requirements such as data locality.
Factors needs to be considered while implementing in organisation
There are several factors which needs to be considered by Kmart while implementing
online communication platforms and technologies such as overall company strategy to attain
digital transformation and transform digital employee experience. The objectives and capabilities
of employee’s communication channel needs to align with wide aims of company strategy in
context to Kmart. The choice of communication platform will influence by other critical
strategies from key stakeholders which involves technology strategy, HR strategy, customer
experience strategy. The needs of employees are huge impact on the choice of communication
platform which requires the understanding of processes which needs to be improved, information
employees rely on completing task, kind of content engages employees (Watson, 2019). While
implementing communication platform in framework of Kmart it is needed to understand the
composition of workforce and range of different needs across locations, division and roles in
organisation. With multiple cultures, language global workforce can be both complex and
diverse.
Recommendation
From the above analysis it is recommended to enhance business communication the
company is needs to use several communication platform and application as to maintain
integration and collaboration. To stimulate flow of interdepartmental information can be through
by providing tools and processes for knowledge exchange for each employees as it will keep
them aware about company news & trends. This helps in creating synergy among departments.
In the Kmart there should be use of vertical communication helps in improving relationship
between managers and employees. The company can also take use of business communication
technology such as videoconferences, text messaging, web portals etc. to keep employees
engaged and having effective communication.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that, business communication in organisation
helps in increasing productivity of business as it relies on ideas & decisions. The organisation
take use of several business communication technologies to communicate better with employees,
stakeholders. The technologies contribute in the development of business and leads to
communicate with remote workers.
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References:
Books and Journals
Jayapandian, 2019. Business Transaction Privacy and Security Issues in Near Field
Communication. In Network Security and Its Impact on Business Strategy (pp. 72-90).
IGI Global.
Kim, 2019. The process model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication: CSR
communication and its relationship with consumers’ CSR knowledge, trust, and
corporate reputation perception. Journal of business ethics, 154(4), pp.1143-1159.
Sashi, 2021. Digital communication, value co-creation and customer engagement in business
networks: a conceptual matrix and propositions. European journal of marketing.
Varma, 2019. Understanding decision making during a crisis: An axiomatic model of cognitive
decision choices. International Journal of Business Communication, 56(2), pp.233-248.
Watson, 2019. Using professional online portfolios to enhance student transition into the
poststudent world. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 82(2), pp.153-
168.
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