Communication and E-Communication Strategies of Suzuki

iNterpersonal and E-Communication
Strategies of Suzuki
GROUP NAMES
Vishal Patel SHH3008
Parag Patel KAC3290
Gagandeep Singh MMS3009
Sachin Chaudhary PFEC3476

Executive Summary
The chief purpose of this report was to analyze the communication and e-communication
strategy of Suzuki Motor Corporation. The report provided a brief background of the company
and discussed the electronic and non-electronic methods it applies in its everyday operations.
The report further performed a SWO analysis on the company’s communication strategies and
evaluated and compared its strategies to the two rival companies – Honda and Hyundai. The
analysis was followed by recommendations that were suggested for the company to follow. The
report concluded with an overall summary of the report.
Introduction
Communication is an essential, in fact the most crucial aspect of any business in today’s
world where it is known as corporate communication. The advent and spread of globalization has
further enhanced its importance. Business executives have realized the significance of
communication in attracting customers and other stakeholders (Adebayo, Balogun and Kareem
2013). The use of both verbal and non-verbal communication strategies have become an integral
part of the business. Companies use both electronic and non-electronic methods of
communication to respond and address their customers, staff members, suppliers and other
stakeholders and shareholders (Roth 2014). Non-electronic communication methods involve
communication through face-to-face interaction, gestures, and signs and so on. In business,

meetings, conferences, seminars and press conferences are some forms of non-electronic
communication. Electronic communication includes use of social networking sites, official
websites or other forms that does not involve direct human interaction (Wolny and Mueller
2013).
In this report, the communication strategies of Suzuki in both electronic and non-
electronic methods applied in case of customers, staff members, suppliers and the public will be
discussed. Suzuki is one of world’s leading automobile companies involved in the manufacturing
and selling of two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles. Michio Suzuki founded it in 1909 in
Japan (Global Suzuki 2018). The report will also include a SWOT analysis of the
communication strategies employed by Suzuki and then provide recommendations based on the
analysis. Prior to the recommendations, the report will compare and contrast the communication
strategies used by Suzuki’s top competitors – Honda and Hyundai. In addition, the report will
present the analysis on the importance of integrating both methods of communication for
effectiveness.
1. Non-electronic communication methods and practices of Suzuki
As Suzuki Motor Corporation is the ninth biggest automotive company in the world, it
has to maintain a good balance between its electronic and non-electronic communication
methods. The company employs over 50,000 thousand workers worldwide and possesses around
35 production facilities in over 20 countries across the globe (Global Suzuki 2018). With such a
huge corporate management to look after, the company has the huge responsibility to apply
effective methods of communication both verbal and non-verbal. Based in Japan, Suzuki has
Japanese as its chief language of communication. However, with such a strong base worldwide,

the company is aware of the need for achieving communication competency in multiple
languages. The company holds an annual meeting each year with top officials attending the
meeting to discuss the company’s financial results and future directions. In the meeting, the
officials use face-to-face interaction methods to put forward their views and ideas. Prior to the
meeting, all officials bow down to greet each other in the traditional Japanese way. Here, they
use the non-electronic and non-verbal mode of communication.
In case of communicating with its shareholders and stakeholders, Suzuki makes sure that,
it uses a language and gesture that is easily understood by them. In most cases, the need for non-
electronic communication arises when official members meet but communication with
stakeholders mostly involves electronic methods. Apart from that, video conferencing, which is
an electronic method of communication, is integrated with non-electronic method that is face-to-
face meeting while conducting the Annual Meeting each year.
The employees of Suzuki use non-electronic communication method at various
showrooms production plants present throughout the world to engage with customers and
suppliers and. The managers and CEOs of respective subsidiary companies and branches engage
in verbal communication with the esteemed customers when they are about to project or sell their
product. The company tries to maintain its inherent tradition and culture of greeting and
welcoming people in all its showrooms. In case of suppliers, the company maintains a strict code
of conduct while engaging in non-electronic communication. The officials, who are responsible
to convey and take messages from the suppliers, have to follow strict protocols set by the higher
management. While communicating with the public for any urgent announcement or during
times of crisis, the company executives gather in an open meeting and communicate their