Business Communication: Overcoming Challenges and Cultural Barriers

This report examines the critical aspects of business communication, focusing on the challenges and barriers that can hinder effective information exchange within an organization. It identifies key issues such as language barriers, cultural differences, and message uncertainty, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The report analyzes the specific case of Mr. Fishy's fish and chips restaurant, highlighting the impact of these barriers on workplace communication. Strategies to overcome these challenges are proposed, including promoting cultural awareness, ensuring feedback mechanisms, and conveying valuable information. The importance of recognizing and addressing cultural differences in communication and negotiation is emphasized, along with practical steps to improve communication effectiveness and foster a more collaborative environment. The report concludes by summarizing the significance of clear communication for successful business operations and the need for proactive measures to mitigate communication barriers.

Communication is two-way process by which ideas,
suggestions, feedbacks, policies, plans are transmitted
from senders to receiver. Mr. Fishy is fish and chips
restaurant near London Bridge station in UK which
currently have 20 employees. In this discussion basic
challenges and barriers to communications are
identified, along with this some strategies to overcome
barriers are also included. Culture of organisation is
attitude and behaviour of employees working in it and
there are differences which creates differences and
conflict in workforce.
Barriers:
Language Barriers: Communicating in same
language can also act as barriers sometimes, the terms used
to prepare message may act as barrier and hinder
effectiveness of communication. When it is done in different
language of receivers it is called out to be complete failure.
Cultural Barriers: Employees working in business
environment are from different culture and region which
creates differences in staff and act as barrier in effective
communication. This leads to conflict in staff and act as
roadblock in achieving objectives and smooth functioning of
operations.
Determine basic challenges and barriers to effective
communication
Communication is process of sharing or
transmitting news, ideas, policies, strategies, plans,
information, etc. between sender and receiver. The
process of communication is subject to many challenges
and barriers, here are some of them which Mr. Fishy is
facing these days:
Challenges:
Uncertainty of message: It occurred simply when
sender is not assure of what to include in message to
communicate, either it is overloaded or missing data. This
creates information inappropriate for receiver and hinder
effectiveness of communication at workplace.
Faulty presentation: This may occur when
message is not planned or medium chosen is not correct
for transmission of information hinder the quality of
message. This also occurs while transmitting it from
sender to receiver which is due to noise in channel of
medium.
Business Communication
INTRODUCTION

Identify strategies to overcome challenges and barriers
to effective communication
Function of business rely on communication which
needs to be clear and effective so that productivity can
be enhanced. There are different barriers and challenges
which need to be correct so that employees
communicate properly and there is less conflict and
differences at workplace. Some of the measures that
Mr. Fishy can use are as follows:
Remain aware about culture differences:
There is need that manager is aware about cultural
differences between employees so that communication
can be planned properly. This gives sender clear
understanding about how to include message and in
what language so that it proves out to be effective.
Ensure feedback: The main purpose of feedback is to
give information that receiver has understood message
in same way sender send it. This brings out differences
and provide base to make communication effective and
proper at workplace.
Follow up communication: There is need that
management always update communication system so
that its effectiveness is maintained and it assist in
function of business. This also identifies weakness in
present system and find out which channel is effective
for workplace.
Convey information of value: There is need that sender
shall identify needs of receiver first before
communicating the message. This will result in
transmitting only valuable information which is
required by audience or senders want to communicate.
Explain importance of awareness about cultural
differences in communication and negotiation
Culture differences makes communication
difficult as there are different signs, symbols and
languages used in them. It basically forms way
individual behave and think at workplace which creates
differences and hinder effectiveness of communication.
Here is some importance that organisation have when it
is aware about culture differences in communication
and negotiation:
Communicate properly and avoid misunderstandings:
If organisations are aware about culture differences
among employees it will be helpful in communicating
clearly with use of universal language and there will be
less misunderstandings related to information and
among staff which will reduce conflict and foster
communication and negotiation.
Learn about diversity and culture: This is opportunity for
management and employees to learn about new cultures and
heritage. Celebrate their festivals and occasions to understand
more about their culture. This will build relationships which
will ease communication process.
From above discussion it is concluded that
communication is essential for effective functioning of
business operations. There are language and cultural
barriers which hinders effectiveness of communications
and leads to conflict. Certain measures are identifying so
that communication process at workplace is effective in
assisting business operations. Organisations need to be
aware about cultural differences so that there are chances
to learn about new diversity and make communication
effective.
Conclusion
References
Killingsworth, M. J. and Gilbertson, M. K., 2018. Signs,
genres, and communities in technical communication.
Routledge.
Pikhart, M., 2017. Managerial communication and its
changes in the global intercultural business world. In SHS
Web of Conferences (Vol. 37, p. 01013). EDP Sciences.