Managing Communications, Information & Knowledge Report - Aldi & Omega

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of communication, information, and knowledge management (MCKI) within the context of Aldi and Omega, covering key aspects of business operations. Task 1 explores decision-making processes in Aldi, including strategic, tactical, and operational levels, and identifies the information and knowledge crucial for effective decisions. It examines internal and external information sources, offering recommendations to improve information availability. The report also delves into stakeholder influence, discussing engagement methods and strategies for enhanced involvement. Task 2 focuses on Omega's communication processes, comparing different communication systems and proposing improvements for internal communication integration. The report also includes a personal plan for improving communication skills. The report concludes with a discussion of information collection and recording, highlighting the importance of effective communication systems for achieving organizational goals. The content underscores the significance of efficient communication for coordinating departments, enhancing management decisions, and improving overall productivity.

Managing Communications,
Information & Knowledge (MCKI)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Discussing the major decisions in Aldi..................................................................................3
1.2 The information and knowledge that will support/ensure effectiveness of the decisions
taken by Management .................................................................................................................5
1.3 The internal and external sources of information and understanding. ..................................5
1.4. Providing recommendations to improve information and knowledge availablity to Aldi
along with Justification for recommendations.............................................................................6
2.1. Stakeholders that can influence the decision making process in Aldi .................................6
2.2. Discussing how to make contact with those identified and develop business relationships
......................................................................................................................................................7
2.3. Discussing different tactics to involve identified stakeholders in the decision making
process of Aldi.............................................................................................................................7
2.4 Strategies that can be adopted by Aldi to improvement involvement of stakeholders in the
decision making. .........................................................................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Report on existing processes of communication in an organization .....................................8
3.2 Comparison of different communication system for appropriate communication in Omega
......................................................................................................................................................9
3.3 Implementation of improvements for integration of systems of communication................10
3.4 A personal plan to improve communication skills. ............................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
In contemporary business operations, an efficient communication system is considered as
as a great tool to attain corporate goals. In this context, every business entity determines various
strategies for managing smooth flow for transmission of information among different department
of organization (Bertocci, 2009). By developing an appropriate communication, every firm is
able to manage coordination among different department and divisions of company as per the
organizational objectives that would enhance efficiency and effectiveness of management
decisions along with productivity of company.
The report is going to find various aspects of business communication in three segments.
In first part, this report evaluates different decisions that have been taken by managers of Aldi at
different level of management (Aldi About us, 2015). It also determines needs of information to
take various business decision as well as role of stakeholder in decision making process in retail
firm. In the next part, it examines the current communication system in Omega airline along with
different tactics to improve internal communication. In the last, several elements related to
collection and recording of information are evaluated.
TASK 1
1.1 Discussing the major decisions in Aldi
As per the objectives of business, a range of decisions are taken by managers and
departmental heads for managing various business operations. The most important decisions are
explained below:
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Figure 1: Level of decision making process
(Source: Management Information Systems and Decision-Making: An Overview, 2014)
As per the above figure, it is stated that there are mainly three types of decisions taken in
particular organization such as strategic, tactical and operational. First of all, strategic decisions
include all decisions which are mainly taken by top management of Aldi associated with the
expansion of business in new emerging market, opening of new retail outlets, determination of
the sales objectives etc (Greenbank, 2011).
On the other hand, Tactical decisions are mainly associated with middle management or
departmental heads of different divisions of organization as per the guidelines of top managers.
In the context of retail organization, these decisions are mainly associated with the selection of
target consumers, formulation of strategies for the new product development along with
optimum allocation of financial resources.
Apart from that Operational decisions are mainly taken by the lower staff and team
leaders for handling the day-to-day business operation (Leonard and Cardy, 2011). These
decisions have been taken to resolve different operational issues in order to provide the support
to top managers in strategic decisions of company.
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1.2 The information and knowledge that will support/ensure effectiveness of the decisions taken
by Management
A variety of information and knowledge is needed to take various decision by ensuring
the effectiveness of different kinds of organizational decisions.
 First of all, manager requires proper information associated with financial position of
company. On the basis of this information, managers of Aldi are able to take appropriate
financial decision associated with the selection of best sources of funds along with
expansion of business as per the value of returns.
 For managing various business operations, retail organization requires the data associated
present market situation (Pulakos., 2009). In this process, company makes efforts to
examine level of competition, new market trends, latest innovative marketing strategies,
new products of other firm etc. It will help managers for developing of various business
strategies related to new product development, selection of best marketing tool etc.
 Information regarding the culture of other countries assists manager to take appropriate
decisions in the process of business expansion in new overseas market. It assists firm in
selection of target consumers, product range and marketing tactics and others.
1.3 The internal and external sources of information and understanding.
The internal and external sources of information and understanding are mentioned under
this statement: Internal sources: As per the requirement of business, there are a variety internal sources
available through which managers of Aldi can appropriate decisions. In this context,
financial statements have been found great internal sources of information associated
with cost, revenue, cash flow and profit for taking different financial decisions (Steyn,
2003). In addition to that order forms, credit notes and other invoices have identified as
great source of information. Perception of consumers can be analyzed as per the views of
consumers.
 External sources: The evaluation of market value of equity share of in stock market is
considered as great source for collection of information about perception of shareholders.
(Ordiz and et,al., 2013). Business entity can examine feedback of consumers, findings of
different researcher and demand of products of Aldi for taking different corporate
decisions.
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1.4. Providing recommendations to improve information and knowledge availablity to Aldi
along with Justification for recommendations
For assessment of wide range of information, the management of Aldi needs to carry out
detail primary and secondary research. In primary research, manager can obtain information by
conducing survey through questionnaires and interview. Questionnaires should be filled by
consumers, suppliers and employees (HassabElnaby, 2012). In the process of secondary
research, researcher is able to examine the financial performance through accounting methods.
Company should use market share, index of stock market and reviews of external experts on
polices of Aldi.
As per the above recommendations, organization will be able to assess perception of
consumers, employees etc. that assists manager in implementation of changes in products and
business operations to increase satisfaction level of staff and consumers (Colbert, 2002).
Secondary researcher will be found very effective in strategic decision of company related to
expansion in new market, handling of competition, profitability enhancement etc.
2.1. Stakeholders that can influence the decision making process in Aldi
An organization takes wide range of decisions to influence efficiency of firm. In this
process, consideration of interest of stakeholders is termed as most important element for
organizational success. Consumers: The management of Adli has to assess the change in needs, interest and
perception of while taking various decision related to new product development,
advancement in existing goods, selection of best marketing tool etc. Employees: Workers of an organization are considered as backbone of company. In
formulation of various strategies related to new product development, human resource
practices, change in organizational rules and regulation etc (Barker, 2013). Aldi has to get
suggestion of consumers in the form of innovative ideas, suggestions and feedback. Government: Business entity has to examine different kinds of rules and legal obligation
in every decision such as assessment of labor laws in determination of remuneration and
consideration of international trade law during overseas business operations.
 Shareholders: The policy makers of Aldi have to consider the interests of investors by
providing assurance about efficient returns and security investment. Consideration of
suggestion from shareholders have played important role to establish trust.
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2.2. Discussing how to make contact with those identified and develop business relationships
The managers of Aldi can establish contact and develop business relationship with
stakeholders by adopting several techniques. Relationship with share holders can be managed by
conducting regular annual meetings and providing regular updates about organizational changes
and new policies through online articles, news and email (Schmitt, 2011). Retail business firm
makes efforts to develop relation with consumers by establishing regular conversation through
advertisement and social networking sites. These both techniques play significant role to provide
information regarding the new product and services. The management of Aldi also considered
the outlets or supermarkets as tool of promotion through which promotion of new product and
services can be carried by taking help of employees and getting feedback of consumer on
product (Loewy, 2009). By providing regular report associated with income and expenditure to
government, management is able to develop good relationship with government officials.
2.3. Discussing different tactics to involve identified stakeholders in the decision making process
of Aldi
The management require to provide regular information to shareholders about new plans
and policies through emails and letter. By assessing the feedback and suggestion of shareholders,
business entity can increase efficiency of business decisions. Company also arranges annual
general meeting with shareholder to establish direct conversation for involving shareholder in
future plans of company.
The management of Aldi increases involvement of employees in decision process by
taking their suggestions and feedback on various organizational strategies (Singh and Sapre,
2008). Further, by proving appropriate incentives on unique ideas and creative suggestion, firm
will be able to increase engagement of workers in decisions making process. A retail
organization also increases involvement of consumers in various business decisions by arranging
an open conversation on online website and social media where consumers can provide
appropriate suggestion and views on different products and services.
2.4 Strategies that can be adopted by Aldi to improvement involvement of stakeholders in the
decision making.
The strategies that can be adopted by the managers of Aldi to improve personal
networking and help managers to involve stakeholders in decision making process are mentioned
in details:
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 Conferences: The administration of Aldi should organize regular conferences and
meetings where managers of company, government officials and representative of share
holders can conduct healthy debate and discussion on various plans, policies along with
business strategies in which government officials and representative of shareholders
provides their suggestions and feedback (Okumus, 2013). This approach has been found
as a great tool to get support of public authorities and investors in risky decisions and
expansion project.
 Team meeting: The top managers of Aldi needs to encourage supervisor of different
division for taking of regular team meeting where employees can share their experience
and issues on various operations. It provides an opportunity to devekop healthy relations
between top managers and employees and increases involvement of employees on
various strategic decisions.
TASK 2
3.1 Report on existing processes of communication in an organization
As per the given case, it has been analyzed that management of Omega Airline Company
has adopted the vertical communication process. As per this approach, the flow of informationis
identified from top level management to lower level employees by passing each level of
management. As per the case, it is examined that some employees of middle management can
provide their views and suggestions on various management policies and business strategies in
communication system of airline company (Bertocci, 2009). Vertical communication system is
mainly adopted by all kinds of business organizations for attainment of corporate goals. It helps
managers for managing the efficient flow of information at different level of organizational
structure through which manager can handle different business operations by ensuring the
efficient flow of information.
The present case determines that Airline Company is facing several issues and problems
in scheduling of various activities as per the corporate goals and requirement of organization
(Greenbank, 2011). The airline company is facing several issues due to lack of efficient
coordination such as delays in flight departure and spending of extra time brooding process etc.
By analyzing various elements of case study, it has been addressed that the main cause of all
these problems and business issues is lack of an effective communication system that creates
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problems in transmission of information among employees belong from lower management and
operation department of company. This has been found as a major cause of all misconducts in
airline operations (Leonard and Cardy, 2011). Unavailability an appropriate information
management system hampers the speed of organizational operation along with efficiency of
ground staff. Sometimes, miscommunication among employees facilitates wrong information
that leads negative impact on efficiency of whole process.
3.2 Comparison of different communication system for appropriate communication in Omega
There are various communication processes available for managers and employees of
Omega airline company through which information can be transformed among different
departments. The most common communications procedures are explained below: Written communication: The written messaging is considered as a most important
approach of corporate communication in which information is transformed through letter,
emails and mobile messages. The management of Omega should have to create universal
formats for emails and letter in order to decrease miscommunication (Types of
communication, 2009). By using mobile messages, organization is able to provide regular
updates to manager and employees of different department about different tasks and
strategies. By using this approach, management can resolve issues related to delay in
departure of flights. Presentation: The power point presentation has been found a great tool to increase
effectiveness of communication during the meeting of employees and supervisor. This
approach assists managers to render clear information associated with changes in
business operations and creation of new mechanism for increasing the effectiveness of
consumer handling (Pulakos, 2009). This tactics assists manager in understanding new
process with examples.
 Two way communication: Firm can implement this system within business operation.
According to this approach, organization should have to take employees suggestions and
response to improve efficiency of services. This approach has found as great technique
to increase coordination among various activities.
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3.3 Implementation of improvements for integration of systems of communication
The airline company can improve efficiency of various operations by applying various
measures for integration of communication system. In this context, some important approaches
are evaluated below: Application of latest technology: The management of Omega airline company require to
develop an efficient transmission network by latest equipment and communication tools
(Steyn, 2003). For managing the transmission of information, airline company considers
latest computer software and networking system through employees and managers of
different departments such as flight control, ground staff and etc. will be able to convey
the information quickly. Formation of universal codes: To reduce misunderstanding in communication process,
airline organization should have to adopt some universal codes for a range of operation in
flight services that enables high speed communication among managers of different
departments. In this process, different symbols and codes are created for completion of
boarding and documentation process, departure and landing process and etc.
 Online system and mobile networks: Business entity should have to develop an efficient
system by combining internet and mobile technologies (Ordiz and et,al., 2013). This
system will be found very effective by providing regular updates through mobile message
and emails associated with boarding and flights departure. It assists organization for
reducing the delays in flight departure.
3.4 A personal plan to improve communication skills.
As per the supervisor of the Omega Airline, improvement in personal communication
skills is considered as a most important elements of high speed communication that influences
effectiveness of message and improves coordination with staff members of other departments. A
plan for advancement in personal communication traits with SMART objectives is mentioned
below:
SMART
objective
Present condition Measures used for
improvement
Time
Duration
Improvement in
written
communication
Some problems are
identified in drafting of
emails and other
business letters
Regular reading of
books and novels.
Drafting emails by
evaluating latest
format.
6 month
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Creation of sample
business letters.
Improvement in
verbal
communication
Lack of confidence.
Improper listening
skills.
Using different audio
and video clips.
Increase vocabulary.
Tanking Personal
counseling.
8 month
Presentation skills Incomplete knowledge
of power point
presentation software.
Studying of computer
software at coaching
institution.
Creation of sample
presentation at home.
5 month
TASK 3
4.1 Report on existing approaches to the
collection, formatting, storage and
dissemination of information and
knowledge Collection: Management of Aldi has collected various types of information various
sources it includes survey, by taking feedback of consumer at retail stores and response
of employees on various projects and new policies. Company also conducts detail market
research about quality and services similar product provided by the other organizations
(Greenbank, 2011). Formatting: In this process, managers of Aldi convert raw data in systematic information.
For this, top management various formats and accounting to acquire accurate information
about risk and return in particular investment proposal. Firm also evaluates data related to
market share of company with cost of promotional plans. Storage: The retail organization uses both approaches for storage of information in form
of traditional and modern computer system. Proper storage ensures security of data and
employees can easily acquire information when needed (Leonard and Cardy, 2011).
 Dissemination: Manager distributes information with oral and written form of
communication at various level of Aldi. It helps to develop future plans of business
entity.
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4.2 Carrying out appropriate changes to improve
the collection, formatting, storage and
dissemination of information and
knowledge
The management can impalement various types of alteration in current approach for
collection, formatting and storing and dissemination. The administration of Aldi can use reviews
of consumer on social networking website regarding the feature of product and services.
Business entity can get information and suggestion of consumer through online website of
company where buyer can provide their complaints regarding quality of product and suggestion
for improvement in layout of stores (Pulakos., 2009). So management can take quick action on
these enquires. Management should get information regarding the view of investors on different
kinds of investment proposal through telephonic conversation and emails.
In addition, manager can be used the latest computer software for evaluation of various
kinds of data and convert into usable information. Policy maker can use cloud techniques for
storage of a range of information that reduces cost and employees can acquire information
anytime and anywhere through use of internet (HassabElnaby, 2012). These tactics assists top
managers in proper dissemination of information at different part of organization.
4.3 Implementing a strategy to improve access to
systems of information and knowledge
Different stage to implement a stratgey:
1. Identification of the target area or department
2. Evaluation of various alternative techniques of
3. Providing training to marketing staff
4. Implementation of changes
5. Evaluation of impact
According to this process management can improve access of information in Aldi. In the
first step, manager identified the area or department where company wants to enhance
accessibility of information. So the company manages complete process according to target area.
If Aldi boosts distribution of information among employees of marketing department then
management follows further steps according to needs of employees of marketing department. In
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next step, manager evaluates various techniques of getting information in form of cloud
computing, internet and other system, after that manager selects best technique (Barker, 2013).
In the next part, top manager provides training to marketing staff regarding the use of internet
and cloud storage to acquire information regarding the consumer needs and past data of
advertisement techniques. According to next stage, managers put the plan into action and
employees can acquire in information through internet and other tactics. At the end, managers of
Aldi evaluate the impact of new process of access information on productivity and performance
of workers and employees.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above assessment, it can be concluded that the success of an organization
is greatly influenced by its decision making process in which management requires wide range of
information associated with present capacity and future objectives. This report has addressed that
an appropriate communication system influences flow of information among different level of
management. It creates huge impact on efficiency of employees and productivity of business
entity.
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REFERENCE
Journals and books
Barker, A., 2013. Improve Your Communication Skills. Kogan Page Publishers.
Bertocci, I. D., 2009. Leadership in Organizations: There is a Difference Between Leaders and
Managers. University Press of America.
Colbert, L. J., 2002. Corporate governance: communications from internal and external auditors.
Managerial Auditing Journal. 17(3). pp.147 – 152.
Greenbank, P., 2011. Improving the process of decision making: an action research approach.
Education + Training. 53 (4). pp.252 – 266.
HassabElnaby, R. H., 2012. The impact of ERP implementation on organizational capabilities
and firm performance. Benchmarking: An International Journal. 19 (4/5). pp.618–633.
Leonard, B. and Cardy, L. R., 2011. Performance Management: Concepts, Skills, and Exercises.
M.E. Sharpe.
Loewy, D., 2009. Essentials of Business Communication. Cengage Learning.
Okumus, F., 2013. Facilitating knowledge management through information technology in
hospitality organizations. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology. 4(1). pp.64 – 80.
Ordiz, M. and et,al., 2013. Organizational culture and human resources in the environmental
issues: A review of the literature. International Journal of Human Resource Management,
14(4), pp.634-656.
Pulakos., E.D., 2009. Performance Management. U.K.: Blackwell Publishing.
Schmitt, B., 2011. Experience Marketing: Concepts, Frameworks and Consumer Insights. Now
Publishers Inc.
Singh and Sapre, 2008. Communication Systems. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Steyn, B., 2003. From strategy to corporate communication strategy: A conceptualization",
Journal of Communication Management. 8(2). pp.168 – 183.
Online
Aldi About us. 2015. [Online]. Available through:<https://corporate.aldi.co.uk/en/about-us/all-
about-aldi/>. [Accessed on 17th Oct. 2015].
Types of communication. 2009. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.notesdesk.com/notes/business-communications/types-of-
communication/>. [Accessed on 17th Oct. 2015].
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