Boosting Workplace Motivation through Innovative Communication Tools

This report explores the topic of boosting workplace motivation through innovative communication tools. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using meeting, internal blogs, social media, and social capital as communication tools. The report provides recommendations for implementing these tools in Woolworths, a chain of supermarkets and grocery stores in Australia. It also includes references to relevant books and journals on business communication.

Business
Communications

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................................3
Communication Tool - Meeting..............................................................................................................3
Communication Tool – Internal Blogs.....................................................................................................4
Communication Tool – Social Media......................................................................................................5
Communication Tool – Social Capital.....................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Business Communication can be defined as exchanging ideas, information within an
organization so that the goals and objectives are achieved effectively (Fearn-Banks, 2016).
Effective business communication is important because it helps in building a healthy
environment in the workplace. Organization chosen for this report is Woolworths, which is a
chain of supermarkets and grocery stores in Australia. The company was founded in the year
1924 and today accounts for nearly 80% of the Australian retail market. The topic of the report is
“Boosting workplace motivation through innovative communication tools”. The report explains
communication technology, its uses, advantages and disadvantages. It also identifies that factors
that have to be considered for its application along with appropriate recommendations.
MAIN BODY
Communication Tool - Meeting
A meeting is a formal get together where people come so as to discuss about a topic in a
business setting. It is carried out in a well-structured and planned manner in order to discuss
issues and make effective decisions. A meeting can either be formal or informal and the main
purpose behind it is to get an understanding of a situation and exchange ideas. Employees can be
encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas by setting up a meeting (Improving employee
innovation, 2020).
Advantages and Disadvantages
The main advantage of a meeting is that it helps in saving time as a number of people can
be addressed at the same time. It also provides an opportunity to make sound decisions by
developing innovative ideas (Liu and et. al., 2016). On the other hand, the major disadvantage
of a meeting is that it consumes a lot of time and is comparatively expensive to arrange.
Implementation
Meetings are a great way to improve motivation of employees in the company as they get
a chance to share their ideas and thoughts (Swani, and et. al., 2017). Woolworths can conduct
meetings either weekly or every six months so that the managers can communicate important

messages to heir tea members and also get an insight about how different tasks are being carried
out.
Recommendations
To overcome problems relating to a decline in the overall employee engagement and
identify other strategic issues, it is recommended that the managers and team leaders organize
meetings every week. This will help them in getting knowledge about the performance of team
members. They should encourage and involve employees in the process of decision making. This
will enhance their motivation and they will put forward their ideas and thoughts without
hesitating.
Communication Tool – Internal Blogs
An internal blog can be defined as a web blog that is usually accessed by the employees
of a company. Many internal blogs also allow anyone to post on them. They facilitate a better
sharing of knowledge within the company and also, in some cases speed up the communication
process within the different departments of the company. Therefore, in simple words, an internal
blog basically facilitates sharing of information and internal communication.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Internal blogs can act as both virtual bulletin boards, cultural enhancers as well as an
effective tool for communication. Use of emails has become nearly out dated and many
companies have started incorporating the concept of internal blogs in their systems. They provide
a platform wherein employees can share their knowledge with each other. Also, they remain
informed and updated about what is happening in the company. One of the disadvantages of the
same are poor content and inconsistent posts.
Implementation
Woolworths can implement internal blogs in order to boost the motivation levels of its
employees. It will also promote knowledge sharing which will lead to a greater number of
employees, even the ones who were previously reluctant to do so, come forward and share their
ideas (Ghassemlooy, Popoola and Rajbhandari, 2019). Implementation of the same will also
contribute towards improving the overall work culture in the system of the company. This will
further lead to an increase in the overall productivity as well as creativity of the workforce.

Recommendations
Woolworths is recommended to introduce internal blog within its system in order to
make sure that all its employees are motivated and confident. Also, that there is knowledge
sharing between the different departments of the company. Having an internal blog will not only
be helpful for the company’s performance in the market, but also its employees. Any kind of gap
in communication will be closed and also, the employees will be able to personalize the
interface. Lastly, information can be accessed whenever there is a requirement by any staff
member.
Communication Tool – Social Media
Social Media can be defined as computer-mediated technologies that can interact with
each other and facilitate sharing of ideas, thoughts, interests etc. Social media has become a big
success over the last few years and has helped businesses to reach out to larges segments of
customers, understand their needs and expectations (Reasons for Using Social Networks
Professionally, 2019). Their needs can then be satisfied in order to gain loyalty.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the biggest advantages of social media is that it helps organizations in increasing
their brand awareness among customers and encouraging them to buy their products. Social
media platforms help businesses in building long-term and healthy relationships with the
customers. Also, customers can easily find a brand and share their feedbacks and thoughts about
a particular product (Key and Czaplewski, 2017). On the other hand, disadvantages include
remaining active constantly on all the platforms and there can be cases wherein the information
can be misused.
Implementation
Woolworths can make its presence on various platforms of social media like Instagram,
Facebook, Twitter etc. in order to understand the needs and expectations of the customers in a
more effective way (Patti and et. al., 2017). If the company feels the need to interact with its
customers more efficiently, it should post updates about new offers and discounts so that the
customers become aware of the same.

Recommendations
Woolworths is recommended to increase the number of followers on the various social
media platforms by posting regularly on them. This will attract customers and they will be
engaged with the content. Posting about various offers and discounts will also help in
encouraging them to buy products from the company. The staff members of Woolsworth should
be encouraged to share creative posts on different social media platforms to enhance motivation
as well as creativity.
Communication Tool – Social Capital
Social Capital can be defined as the social groups functioning in an effective and efficient
manner through interpersonal relationships, a shared identity as well as shared norms. Social
Capital is particularly effective when the networks are diverse and one of the most common
examples of social capital is social media that helps people in building a network that is wide and
diverse. It has been seen that social media can contribute to an employees’ social capital
(Exploring the influence of social media on employee work performance, 2020).
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the foremost advantages of social capital is that employees of a company get to
build and enhance their existing networks. It also contributes in building stronger and healthier
teams wherein the employees are engaged in their jobs. When social capital produces negative
outcomes, it is referred to as negative social capital. It can foster worst behavior within the
employees that can act as a barrier to social mobility.
Implementation
Woolworths can implement social capital in its system so that employees get a chance to
interact with each other and build network. When this will happen, their levels of motivation will
automatically rise and they will be more engaged in their jobs (Kim and Kumar, 2018). This will
further lead to enhancement in performance as they will put in more efforts in getting tasks
complete and help the company in attaining its goals and objectives in an effective manner.
Recommendations

Woolworths is recommended to incorporate social capital in its business so as to increase
the level of motivation as well as confidence among the employees. The employees will have a
better health, economic growth as well as motivation. Respective company should offer various
opportunities so that the staff members get a chance to create diverse network.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that business communication plays a very
important role in increasing the motivation levels of the employees. This can be done by
adopting various tools like social media, intranet, organizing meetings etc. this will build a sense
of belongingness and involvement. Also, the employees will be more committed and engaged to
their jobs. Therefore, communication tools should be used carefully in order to attain desired
results.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Fearn-Banks, K. (2016). Crisis communications: A casebook approach. Routledge.
Fill, C., & Turnbull, S. L. (2016). Marketing communications: brands, experiences and
participation. Pearson.
Ghassemlooy, Z., Popoola, W., & Rajbhandari, S. (2019). Optical wireless communications:
system and channel modelling with Matlab®. CRC press.
Key, T. M., & Czaplewski, A. J. (2017). Upstream social marketing strategy: An integrated
marketing communications approach. Business Horizons. 60(3). 325-333.
Kim, K. H., & Kumar, V. (2018). The relative influence of economic and relational direct
marketing communications on buying behavior in business-to-business markets. Journal
of Marketing Research. 55(1). 48-68.
Liu, S. and et. al., (2016). The standardization-localization dilemma of brand communications
for luxury fashion retailers' internationalization into China. Journal of Business Research.
69(1). 357-364.
Patti, C. H. and et. al., (2017). Improving integrated marketing communications practices: A
comparison of objectives and results. Journal of marketing communications. 23(4). 351-
370.
Swani, K. and et. al., (2017). What messages to post? Evaluating the popularity of social media
communications in business versus consumer markets. Industrial Marketing
Management. 62. 77-87.