Executive Report: Interpersonal and E-Communication Strategies

This report presents an executive summary comparing the communication strategies of iCandy Interactive, an international online business, and KNeo Media Limited, a domestic company. It evaluates their use of interpersonal and electronic communication methods to engage stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, staff, and the public. The analysis includes a comparison of electronic media (websites, social media) and non-electronic methods (face-to-face meetings, reports), and a SWOT analysis highlighting strengths and weaknesses in their communication practices. iCandy excels in external communication, while KNeo Media leads in internal systems. Recommendations are provided, and the report concludes with an overview of the companies' communication approaches.

INTERPERSONAL
AND E-
COMMUNICATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report summarizes the effectiveness of interpersonal and electronic communication
methodologies and practices undertaken by different businesses of varying size and nature. In
order to successfully complete and achieve the objectives of the report, an international and a
domestic company have been taken into account. After this, the international company, iCandy
Interactive and the domestic business, KNeo Media Limited have been compared based on the
business communication strategies adopted by them. For this purpose, a SWOT analysis has also
been carried out which states that while iCandy is strong on the external communication front,
KNeo Media has been a leader in maintaining strong foothold in internal communication
systems. In addition to this, both the companies tend to use a combination of electronic and non-
electronic medium to exchange information internally as well as externally to engage
stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, public and staff members. The Electronic Media
includes websites, social media and other platforms like application stores, while, non-electronic
media includes face-to-face meetings, reports and memorandums.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SECTION 1......................................................................................................................................1
Key Non-Electronic Communication Methods and Practices used to engage different
stakeholders.................................................................................................................................1
SECTION 2......................................................................................................................................3
Key Electronic Media and Communication Strategies used by iCandy Interactive and KNeo
Media Limited.............................................................................................................................3
SECTION 3......................................................................................................................................5
SWOT Analysis of Overall Communication Methods and Practices of iCandy Interactive and
KNeo Media................................................................................................................................5
SECTION 4......................................................................................................................................7
Comparing communication practices of iCandy and KNeo Media Limited...............................7
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Interpersonal and E-Communication are two of the most sought techniques of interacting
with one another in today's world. Interpersonal Communication is one which involves a
systematic exchange of information, feelings and meaning by way of verbal or non-verbal
methods (Păstae, 2016). On the other hand, E-Communication involves the same process,
however, through technological mediums such as phones, computers among others. This report
aims to provide a critical evaluation of business communication strategies adopted by iCandy
Interactive as well as KNeo Media Limited. iCandy is an International Online Business company
based out of Singapore whereas is a domestic company based out of. Both of them are listed on
ASX. KNeo Media Limited is an Australian based company which specialises in developing and
publishing game-based learning programs to educational markets worldwide
SECTION 1
Key Non-Electronic Communication Methods and Practices used to engage different
stakeholders
Non-Electronic Communication Methods are those which do not require a medium of
technology such as Smartphones and Emails for the purpose of exchanging valuable information
among the Sender and Receiver (Stacks and Salwen, 2014). These Methods and Practices are
much more personal in nature and involves a higher degree of body language
Enumerated below are the Key Non-Electronic Communication Methods and Practices
adopted by the two companies to engage: Customers:
Being an international investor, provider and developer of interactive mobile games for
entertainment purposes, iCandy's customers are widespread all around the world. One of the
main method or practice adopted by it is face-to-face communication. By way of participating in
various Trade Shows, Exhibitions and other similar events around the year it is able to
communicate personally about their new ventures or game launches with its customers and
promote high customer engagement. In addition to this, personal selling is also one of the
significant strategies taken up by iCandy in order to increase its presence in retail stores.
KNeo Media Limited arranges for diverse tie-ups with educational institutions such as
Private Schools, so as to aware them about the growing need to educate oneself. In 2016, it has
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tied up with NYC Public School System via Connect the Kids NYC Organisation where it
interacted with 200 students and even delivered them tablets loaded with educational fun games
(Tie-Up with NYC Schools, 2019).
 Suppliers:
iCandy is a technology-based business which thrives on creation and development of
highly diversified interactive mobile games. For this purpose, the company requires a certain set
of suppliers that are ready to sell them technologies and other important material. For this
purpose, iCandy communicates by way of reports, memorandums and Face-to-Face Meetings
which are held by the company as and when required by them.
KNeo Media Limited has application stores formed on the basis of distribution
agreements that bind the company as well as its suppliers closely to each other. For this purpose,
the business uses face-to-face communication, annual reports and memorandums just like
iCandy. Some of its major distribution partners include Mobile Embrace in USA and SmartTrans
in China among others (Distribution Agreements, 2016). Staff Members:
Apart from communicating through emails and other electronic devices, some of the key
non-electronic communication practices still carried out by iCandy include Team or Group
Meetings, Board Meetings, Presentation of Written Reports and Memorandums which enhance
the quality of information delivered by one staff member, usually subordinate to another, usually
superior.
Conversely, KNeo Media's internal communications include a comprehensive segment
reporting system wherein the employees operational at different levels of organisation
communicate with the Chief Operating Decision Makers of the organisation in a consistent
manner. Such people of authority are responsible for the allocation as well as assessment of
resources and performance respectively. Public:
Public Relations is one of the most crucial component for any business organisation.
iCandy Interactive has been able to retain public interest by way of encouraging Corporate
Social Responsibility activities. These involve a personal interaction with non-profit
organisations along with holding campaigns in collaboration with them. For instance, iCandy
Interactive's unit Appxplore has collaborated with BloodGo to create a network that connects
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people in-need with speciality blood. For this purpose, representatives of iCandy help in the
campaign at the places where such an event is being held by personally interacting with the
donors as well as patients.
KNeo Media's Business Model is that of encouraging learning in unconventional way.
Hence, most of its association with public is via a not-for-profit organisation tie-ups. For this
purpose, the most important non-electronic methodology adopted by the business includes face-
to-face as well as hands-on interaction with the children of various schools and institutions
(Public Relationships, 2016).
SECTION 2
Key Electronic Media and Communication Strategies used by iCandy Interactive and KNeo
Media Limited
Electronic Media and Communication Strategies are the most used techniques adopted by
companies worldwide. It goes without saying that an international business such as iCandy has
also employed different Electronic Media and Communication strategies which include websites,
social media and other similar platforms (Berger, 2018). On the other hand, the domestic
businesses such as are also not far from using similar strategies for furthering their interests and
bottom-line profits in a highly competitive business environment. Some of the main strategies
used by the companies are:
 Websites:
This medium is one of the direct marketing channel of iCandy wherein most of its
gaming products are sold. However, it is also used for communication purposes by the business.
Being an international player in the online interactive gaming market, iCandy requires most of
its information important to various external stakeholders such as users, gamers, investors and
customers to reach on-time and promptly. By way of announcements made regarding its various
on-going global activities, it is able to achieve this goal. For instance, the company delivers
annual reports by E-mail as well as online for both subscribers and non-subscribers visiting its
website along with Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
KNeo Media Limited has customers mainly conformed to educational markets, hence
most of its clientele comprises youngsters that actively use technological devices. Thus, the
business has a highly integrated and interactive online portal which provides important
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information regarding KNeo's current as well as upcoming activities or projects along with
listing of its products. This helps in informing the online users about company's operations,
intentions as well as investor and other stakeholder relations. Social Media:
Use of Social Media has increased tenfold in recent years. iCandy uses Twitter to inform
its followers in regards to upcoming events and news in relation to its operational activities
(iCandy on Twitter, 2019). The company also gives its views on various issues that are of
paramount importance to itself as well as the public. For instance, ICI reported that it is backing
the Nitro-token which is a Block-chain based cryptocurrency which aims to disrupt the video-
gaming industry in coming years (Block-chains, 2019).
KNeo Media Limited, like any other business today, takes use of social media so as to
promote its upcoming program launches. Since most of its clientele is present on these platforms
the business is an ardent user of it too. For instance, its Twitter handle has a diverse portfolio of
activities wherein the company also declares its quarterly financial results in addition to
promotion of its new launches as well as tie-ups to ensure strong customer engagement (Social
Media, 2019).
 Other Platforms:
Apart from the electronic media mentioned above, other platforms such as social forums
and blogs. With its commitment towards Community building, iCandy aims to mentor its
workforce within South East Asia and help business grow. For instance, the company uses
Google Play Store to make available its games for Android users and frequently posts content on
YouTube that helps in giving solutions to queries in a visually attractive manner. In addition to
this, the company also uses this platform to understand the customer perception of its products
and any grievances posted by way of feedback are effectively addressed by the business on such
platforms too (iCandy and Influencers, 2019 ).
KNeo Media Limited also delivers its own Tablets and streamlines videos through
widely used application stores such as Google Play Store, iOS among others to communicate and
promote its product-service.
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SECTION 3
SWOT Analysis of Overall Communication Methods and Practices of iCandy Interactive and
KNeo Media
The overall Communication Methods as well as Practices of both iCandy and Kneo
Media Limited includes a combination of Non-Electronic & Electronic Media. In the context of
given case scenario, a SWOT Analysis for the two business enterprises has been carried out as
under:
Key Analysis
Points
Overall Communication Methods and Practices
iCandy Interactive KNeo Media Limited
Strengths One of the major strengths of iCandy
Interactive's Communication Methods
and Practices is Social Media and
Internal Reporting Systems adopted
by its top managements. Employing
various influencers at popular social
media platforms such as YouTube and
Xcademy.
KNeo Media Limited is proficient in
internal reporting system which is based
on different segments in which the
business operates. Also, a separate
group of decision makers gives it the
advantage to specialise as well as
devote its workings in an effective
manner.
Weakness iCandy lacks in development of
creative channels of communication
and still relies on traditional ones such
as face-to-face meetings. Nowadays
many companies have internal blogs
or bulletin boards online that give the
employees updates on new projects
undertaken by iCandy on a regular
basis.
KNeo Media Limited lacks in digital
marketing at an extensive level. The
company has been unable to reach into
those areas where educational systems
still lack. For instance, Africa, Middle-
East as well as most parts of South-East
Asia.
Opportunities With an ever-growing demand for
creative and innovative games in the
KNeo Media Limited has been into
educational gaming format. The
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online interactive gaming industry,
iCandy has a widespread opportunity
to explore other areas or formats such
as RPG, Simulations among others.
This can help in creation of unique
selling points for the business. Also,
communication of launching such
products can be achieved by holding
interactive events that allow the users
to engage with game developers on a
more personal level.
business is secluded to schooling
systems. By outreaching itself to other
countries who lack in solid educational
systems, the business would be able to
expand its market share as well as
become a global supplier of specialised
unconventional learning forums. In
order to communicate such plans to the
world, the business may take help of its
segment based reporting system so as to
allocate resources and budgets for
different markets. Interacting
consistently with the CODM the
company can come up with new
communication strategies for marketing
its products on a global scale
intensively.
Threats One of the major threat that iCandy
faces in present day scenario is
imitation of its business model by new
entrants or existing players of the
online interactive gaming industry.
The communication methodologies
practised by the business are mostly
conventional and conform to offline
methods. This can lead to incidences
of whistle-blowing of important
internal information to external bodies
or competitors.
Misrepresentation and misinterpretation
of critical information while
communicating with suppliers and
customers imposes grave threat for
KNeo Media Limited. Such an event
may lead to inaccurate implementation
of terms and conditions agreed upon by
the company and its suppliers which
will ultimately increase the costs for the
parties. As far as customers are
concerned distortion of information may
lead to negative publicity or promotion
of company's products, causing brand
switching and decline in bottom-line
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profits or revenues.
SECTION 4
Comparing communication practices of iCandy and KNeo Media Limited
While comparing the communication practices of iCandy Interactive and KNeo Media
Limited, it can be observed that while the international gaming developers, iCandy have been a
new entrant, the business has a strong hold on the external communication practices against
KNeo which has strong internal communication system in place. iCandy has been able to achieve
various accolades in a span of 3 to 4 years through its highly innovative and diversified product
lines. This has been made possible by engaging with a diverse set of business entities as well as
individuals that strive to communicate their efforts effectively through their gaming applications.
Mentoring their South-East Asian teams as well as provide solutions by collaborating with trade-
shows, sponsors as well as media influencers has helped the business in engaging with its
customers as well as other stakeholders in an effective way.
On the other hand, KNeo Media has been able to maintain a highly specialised internal
communication practice which allows it to remove ambiguity from different channels of
distribution as well as levels of organisation and ensures that every event, product or service
rendered has an engaging impact on the lives of its customers for better. Thus, helping
educational systems to transform themselves in accordance with current as well as future needs
of the industries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Through the inferences made above it is recommended that there is a need for enhancing
the internal communication systems for iCandy. This is to be achieved in a way that helps the
business to upgrade itself in accordance with current communicating systems. This will help the
business in delivering a positive employee experience and ensure that the team is dedicated to
what they produce and deliver to the customers worldwide. This can be done by using smart
devices such as phones whereas internal communication portals can help in generation and
exchange of information in a much faster and cost-effective manner.
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Conversely, the educational games developer, KNeo Media needs to ensure that it
undertakes necessary steps to converge external and internal communication systems in a manner
that helps in extension of its existing services to a wider platform of users. For this purpose, it is
recommended that the business undertakes intensive research practices to understand the
communication trends of different markets so that the company is able to personally associate
themselves with the users present in such regions.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that communication methodologies and
practices undertaken by international as well as domestic business enterprises include a
combination of both conventional as well as unconventional methods. These methods help in
moulding and driving the sales of the business in a critical manner. For this purpose, a company
may take into account effective electronic as well as non-electronic methods of business
communication which may be further integrated with the business strategies. This is important
due to the fact that until and unless an organisation is able to communicate its ideas, values to its
customers and other key stakeholders, there is no point in creation of products because customers
only buy or consume products that are of use to them and are understandable. Hence, clarity of
purpose and benefits is a crucial factor for the success of any business entity and for this,
effective interpersonal as well as E-Communication is of paramount importance.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Berger, A. A., 2018. Media and communication research methods: An introduction to qualitative
and quantitative approaches. Sage Publications.
Păstae, V., 2016. Interpersonal communication in the era of e-communication. In Conference
proceedings of» eLearning and Software for Education «(eLSE) (No. 02, pp. 177-181).
Editura Universităţii Naţionale de Apărare „Carol I”.
Stacks, D. W. and Salwen, M. B. eds., 2014. An integrated approach to communication theory
and research. Routledge.
Online
BloodGo and Appxplore. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.bloodgo.com/>
Tie-Up with NYC Schools. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.tech-capital.com/companies/news/137879/kneomedia-ltd-launches-
special-needs-online-gaming-portal-in-new-york-67912.html>
Distribution Agreements. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.kneomedia.com/pdf/KNM_Appx_4E_30_June_2016_FINAL_26082016.
pdf>
Block-chains. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.icandy.io/icandys-about-to-launch-a-blockchain-based-crab-game/>
KNeo Media's Internal Communication. 2017. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.kneomedia.com/pdf/KNM_Annual_Report_30_June_2017_FINAL_29_S
ep_17.pdf>
iCandy and Influencers. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/215775/icandy-interactive-
buys-20-interest-in-uk-based-video-influencer-platform-xcademy-215775.html>
Public Relationships. 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.kneomedia.com/pdf/KNM_Annual_Report_30_June_2017_FINAL_29_S
ep_17.pdf>
iCandy on Twitter. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://twitter.com/iCandyInteract?lang=en>
Social Media. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://twitter.com/kneomedia?lang=en>
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