Strategic Planning and CSR: 3Com Business Communication Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of business communication strategies, focusing on the case study of 3Com, a small-sized company in the digital electronics and computer networking industry. The report explores strategic planning, including SWOT analysis and long-term goals, and examines the various approaches to business adopted by 3Com, highlighting the challenges faced by micro businesses. Furthermore, it delves into corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges, examining the shrinking role of government and the need for greater disclosure, alongside examples from Coca-Cola and Adnams. The report concludes by outlining strategies for operating in an ethical and sustainable way, differentiating between approaches suitable for micro and big corporations, emphasizing the importance of ethical values, employee rights, and adherence to government regulations.

Business
Communication

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Sustainable Approach To Business Management............................................................................1
Strategic planning...................................................................................................................1
Corporate social responsibility challenges.............................................................................3
Strategies for operating in ethical and sustainable way..........................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Business communication is that process which help in sharing information among people
within an organisation which are performed for the benefits of commercial of the firm. This can
also defined for relaying information in the business by their people. Most of the successful
business understand that if they have provide any sound information system of sharing
information then they will take time for making any type of decision will decline and enterprise
conflicts are reduces in proper manner (Berry, 2011). The report is based on 3com firm which is
small size company. It provide digital electronics manufacturer computer network products. Also
3com provides network interface controller and switches, routers, wireless access points and
many other services. This report is explaining the strategic planning and various approaches of
business, CSR challenges will became important part of this assignment. There are some
strategies which has to follow ethics and developing sustainable business can be included in this
project. The report is based on self reflection regarding own learning. This will play an essential
role in this assignment.
Sustainable Approach To Business Management
In current time period, business management is very complex work. There are different
factors that includes globalisation, technology etc., that are create barriers for entrepreneurs
especially for small business enterprises. Along with this, problem related to earning profit and
achieving large market, organisation have deal with new type of challenges for completing
corporate social responsibility.
Strategic planning
3Com is the small enterprise so they easily understand that they have large number of
rivals and gain important amount of market share which is essential for them while surviving for
long time period (Bovee, Thill and Raina, 2016). Strategic planning is the procedure of
describing tactics and determining effective strategies which are related to assigned resources.
There are different type of components which are discussed as under:
SWOT analysis- Each organisation has various strength which provide them confidence
for operating and managing in high competitive business environment. Due to lack of
experience, small and new start up business make mistakes like every enterprise 3com have
some weaknesses.
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 Strength- The firm is famous for their new and innovative products ideas which is made
by employees and they are help in getting success that can be attained in the business.
They also adopt latest methods and techniques for maintaining high quality in their work
in appropriate manner.
 Weaknesses- 3com have very large number of customers, they capture limited market
area where they attract desired buyers (Collis and Hussey, 2013). They can not cover
large market due to poor performance and promotional activities of marketing. The
another hurdle for organisation is capital, they does not expand their business in huge
market place.
 Opportunities- In current era, they can design computer networking for the customers.
The organisation management can begin to make efforts for signing deals with large
associations (Zott, Amit and Massa, 2011). They need to expand their business in other
locations. They can also enter in the new location for gaining attention of large number of
buyers towards their innovative products and services.
 Threats- 3com is highly operate their business in huge competitive sector. If they can not
provide better services so they can loose their regular customers. Lack of fund amount is
also treated as other threat for the firm. They have many competitors so they may
unsuccessful for getting capital at the time of expansion in business.
Long term goals
It is important for an organisation to have some mission. The long term objective of firm
is to follow their vision in proper manner. 3Com is became one of the leading enterprise for
providing various electronics products and services. They mainly focus and concentrate on
innovation activities (Danaher and Rossiter, 2011). They seek to adopt new and latest
technologies for making unique products and earn maximum profit. Small business enterprise
enter in the another location of country and they highly depending on domestic market which can
not make them leader of the industry where they easily operate business.
Application of strategic planning theory
There are several type of theories which are related to strategical planning that includes
synthesis, philosophical, rationalism etc. 3com firm are used organisation development theory,
so this firm desire to make proper changes in their style of working at regular time period and
they know that if they need to grow with high pace then they have to concentrate on creative and
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innovative key factors such as employee satisfaction, decision making process etc. Micro
businesses are using Philosophical synthesis theory which is board concept of planning and
considers information on economic, social and ethical conditions of the organisation. On the
other hand, corporate business are used Rationalism theory which define human relation in
instrumental terms (Gustafsson, Kristensson and Witell, 2012). Rational planning model
predicted observable cycle, sequential which includes determine goals, setting objectives,
developing plans and policies and analysing outcome.
Approach of business
3com is the small and medium size business. They have their own strength and
limitations that will separate them from other multinational organisation. There are certain key
parts of approaches which is adopted by an organisation:
 3com seek to confront undue overhead because they does not have much financial
resources and they also know that if they will not use their limited amount in appropriate
way then they can face various issues and trouble that relates to liquidity and investment.
 Micro business has high operational cost and this is the main reason by which they try to
raise their point among desired customers. They can promote the ideas for providing
better services at low cost. The electronic products and computer networking are related
to innovation and creativity. The firm select talented employees who analyse the need
and requirements of customers and make product as per the demand of buyers.
 Corporate business mainly focus on two areas in terms of “Business approach”, firstly
they can continuously lower the cost of work and another is expanding enterprise in new
part of business (Jahn and Kunz, 2012). They can use latest technology in their working
and they know that it can help in enhancing functional efficiency for reducing wastage of
resources. The common perception of that customers like to select an enterprise who have
capability to do work.
Corporate social responsibility challenges
Corporate social challenges promote mission and vision of the business which have wide
range of stakeholders, investors and shareholders. The major are where environment should be
protected and do proper well-being for employees, society, community in the upcoming time
period. The CSR concept is used by 3com which corporations can no longer act as separated
economic venture operating in withdrawal within society boundary. In the traditional view,
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competitiveness, survival and profitability are carry out swept outside. There are various
challenges of CSR in 3com which is small size business which are discussed as under: Shrinking role of government- In the last, authorities have relied on regulation and
governance to deliver social and environmental goals in the business industry (Jin, Liu
and Austin, 2014). The diminution government resources, joined with mistrust of
regulation, lead towards the exploration of voluntary and non- regulatory initiatives. Need for greater revealing- This will growing with demand for corporate disclosure
from stakeholders that includes suppliers, employees, communities, buyers, investors
and organisational activist. 3Com need to deal with revealing hidden things for analysing
target goals and objectives.
CSR challenges in Coco cola organisation: Increasing in customers interest- This can be observed that survey conducted in the year
of 2020 where large number of customers are attracted towards their innovative products
and services. Coco cola will use corporate social responsibility for increasing their
customers value and earn maximum profitability. They need to modify their product
according to the requirement of customers and satisfy them. CSR ill help in maintaining
interest among customers regarding firm goods and services in proper manner. Modify in employee behaviour- The workers are looking beyond pay-checks and
advantages and also desire to operate activity which should be match with their own
principle. They can select and hire skilled and talented employees for improving effective
working condition (Manning, Reece and Ahearne, 2011). CSR is helpful in changing the
behaviour of employees and they motivate with their work. After that they produce
innovative and creative goods and services for attracting large number of customers. Growing investor pressure- The investor are changing the way for access organisation
performance and make correct decisions which are totally based on ethical business. The
separate examination will revealing that the more share information in the ethical
consideration at the time of selling and buying inventory.
Challenges of CSR in Adnams corporate business: Changes in currency rate- The major challenges of Corporate social responsibility in
Adnams corporate business is to make changes in current rate which increasing inflation
rate and customers does not purchase any type of products and services at high amount. If
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currency rate is decreases then customer try to buy goods and services at reasonable
price. When change in currency rate then company provide large amount price. Emergence of inflation and deflation at market rate- The corporate social responsibility
will directly or indirectly deal with inflation and deflation rate for growing faster in
market rate. Adnams business use CSR for make clear view about increasing or
decreasing price for making specific products and services (Schmeltz, 2012). Inflation
and deflation will arise the demand and supply rate of macro economy of nation. The
inflation rate is higher when company provide high value goods and service to their
customers and on the other hand, deflation means when firm will provide low price goods
and services to their buyers in proper manner.
 Fluctuation in external factors- If external environment factors always change with the
change in demand and needs of customers then it is necessary for company is to maintain
their fluctuations in proper manner (Welch, 2011). By using CSR, the organisation can
make changes in their external policies and plans for operating business in effectively.
This is the major challenge of CSR is to maintain the external factors which directly
affect the business activities such as political, social, economical and technological. They
require to make proper rules and regulation which impact on company plans and policies.
Social factor will influence the current trends so firm need to understand the demand and
requirements of potential customers. They require to adopt latest and new techniques for
earning maximum profitability by providing desired goods and services.
Strategies for operating in ethical and sustainable way
Micro business- In this business, ethical values are useful for attaining desired goals and
objectives. The micro business protect their employees rights and they are mainly satisfy
customers needs and demands. Firm need to respect the society people for providing them
appropriate products and services (Schullery, 2013). Adnams are perceived the organisation for
good corporate governance and social responsibility initiatives in better manner. They also take
provide legal rights to their employees for performing task within an organisation. An enterprise
require to make improvement in their decision-making process which help in implementing best
suitable strategy in the market place. They also analyse the society rules and regulations for
making appropriate decisions and select talented employees who handle all work in positive
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manner. To follow government laws and rules is the major strategy for operating business
activities and functions in proper manner.
Big corporations- In large organisation, the ethical and sustainable way is useful for
managing business operations and functions. They produce products according to the need and
requirements of customers. Large firms are provide effective and good values to their buyers and
ethical is not the part of business strategy (Scollon, Scollon and Jones, 2011). They should also
define their ethics value for providing benefits to the customers. An enterprise mainly focus on
their earning profitability. This can be observed that investment in multiple conception leads to
sustainability to lower the profits comparison with collected approach. The big corporation use
consistent strategy for maintaining the stability of the business operations and functions. The
consistent make these things easier for take part in sustainability. After adoption of CSR or
sustainability is compulsory for the firm because it will help in reducing barrier and issues which
occurs within an enterprise.
Small business enterprise- 3com is the small size organisation which provides
electronics products and computer networking services for attracting large number of customers
towards their innovative goods and services. SMEs use strategies for operating ethical and
sustainability in the business (Waters and Williams, 2011). They need to solving their employees
issues and problems which make hurdle at the time of performing each task. Also firm require to
adopt effective strategies for maintaining business operations and major functions in appropriate
manner. The ethical and sustainable ways are discussed as under:
Ethical way: The basic laws and rules of the constitution of the country regarding the
business field should be followed while conducting the business. Business ethics should be
followed as it is the structure of moral principles to conduct the business in a successful way.
There are certain laws regarding business so that every business can run successfully in their way
and cannot misuse the information of the other company or not to harm other organisation. As
well as the firms should take care of the human rights of the employees regarding their
compensation and self respect. The firm must provide the opportunity to the employees so that
they can share or express their ideas amongst their superiors. Ethical aspects not only includes
the rights of the company and employees but also the firms need to take care of the rights of
customers also because they are the basic factor behind the profit of the company or the standard
of the company in the market. According to law, the firm need to fulfil the desires of the
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customers as well as to solve the problems of the customers and to boost up the quality of the
product regarding the feedback of the customers.
Sustainable way: The organisation should kept in mind to make predictions to cover the
cost in a certain period while making the operational strategies. This phenomenon is known as
economic sustainability in which the time and cost will be decided to gain as output in a long
term. The second one strategy of operating should be regarding to reduce the consumption of the
natural resources as the natural resources are limited on the planet and try to achieve the better
output through the limited use of resources available in the organisation or to utilise the
resources in a better way to fulfil the desired goal (Wild, Wild and Han, 2014). Along with the
utilisation of the resources, the firms need to identify the waste of resources as well as the waste
of time by the employees should be terminated at the right time by which they can use those
resources and time at the right place where required to fulfil the other desired tasks.
Additionally, the firm can engage the local communities regarding the sales and promotional
activities to boost up the profit as well as the goodwill of the company. But involvement of the
local communities should be limited as do not provide more information about the company.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report it can analysed that Business communication is that
process which help in sharing information among people within an organisation which are
performed for the benefits of commercial of the firm. business management is very complex
work. There are different factors that includes globalisation, technology etc., that are create
barriers for entrepreneurs especially for small business enterprises. The long term objective of
firm is to follow their vision in proper manner. 3Com is became one of the leading enterprise for
providing various electronics products and services. Corporate social challenges promote
mission and vision of the business which have wide range of stakeholders, investors and
shareholders. By using CSR, the organisation can make changes in their external policies and
plans for operating business in effectively. This is the major challenge of CSR is to maintain the
external factors which directly affect the business activities such as political, social, economical
and technological.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Berry, G. R., 2011. Enhancing effectiveness on virtual teams: Understanding why traditional
team skills are insufficient. The Journal of Business Communication (1973). 48(2).
pp.186-206.
Bovee, C. L., Thill, J. V. and Raina, R. L., 2016. Business communication today. Pearson
Education India.
Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and
postgraduate students. Palgrave macmillan.
Danaher, P. J. and Rossiter, J. R., 2011. Comparing perceptions of marketing communication
channels. European Journal of Marketing. 45(1/2). pp.6-42.
Gustafsson, A., Kristensson, P. and Witell, L., 2012. Customer co-creation in service innovation:
a matter of communication? Journal of Service Management. 23(3). pp.311-327.
Jahn, B. and Kunz, W., 2012. How to transform consumers into fans of your brand. Journal of
Service Management. 23(3). pp.344-361.
Jin, Y., Liu, B. F. and Austin, L. L., 2014. Examining the role of social media in effective crisis
management: The effects of crisis origin, information form, and source on publics’
crisis responses. Communication research. 41(1). pp.74-94.
Manning, G. L., Reece, B. L. and Ahearne, M., 2011. Selling today. Pearson Education.
Schmeltz, L., 2012. Consumer-oriented CSR communication: focusing on ability or morality?.
Corporate Communications: An International Journal. 17(1). pp.29-49.
Schullery, N. M., 2013. Workplace engagement and generational differences in values. Business
Communication Quarterly. 76(2). pp.252-265.
Scollon, R., Scollon, S. W. and Jones, R. H., 2011. Intercultural communication: A discourse
approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Waters, R. D. and Williams, J. M., 2011. Squawking, tweeting, cooing, and hooting: Analyzing
the communication patterns of government agencies on Twitter. Journal of Public
Affairs. 11(4). pp.353-363.
Welch, M., 2011. The evolution of the employee engagement concept: communication
implications. Corporate Communications: An International Journal. 16(4). pp.328-346.
Wild, J. J., Wild, K. L. and Han, J. C., 2014. International business. Pearson Education Limited.
Zott, C., Amit, R. and Massa, L., 2011. The business model: recent developments and future
research. Journal of management. 37(4). pp.1019-1042.
Online
Business communication. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.notesdesk.com/notes/business-communications/business-communication-
and-its-types/>.
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