Document Design Memo: Analyzing Technology in Corporate Communication

This document is a document design memo analyzing the impact of technology on corporate communication. It explores the challenges, such as the proliferation of uncontrolled new media outlets and the creation of a "naked company syndrome" due to information security risks. The memo highlights opportunities like increased creativity and innovation, and industry growth through enhanced marketing. Strategies to embrace these changes include measuring and integrating technological functions, authorization and control, and investing in up-to-date technologies. The memo concludes that companies should conduct a SWOT analysis to formulate appropriate strategies for managing the effects of technology on corporate communication. The document uses references to support its claims.

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Document Design Memo
Business Communication
24th November 2017
To: THE MANAGER
Introduction
Technology has significantly shaped the field of corporate communication. Technology has
changed the way information is passed from one organizational level to another (Argenti, 2006,
p. 370). Internet access challenges corporate communication in its vast array under which
information is passed to the key stakeholders within an organization (Argenti, 2006, p. 357). This
document memo analyses the challenges and opportunities brought by technology to corporate
communication providing the right strategies of embracing these challenges and opportunities for
the benefit of an organization.
Corporate Communication Challenges and Opportunities Brought by Technology
i. The proliferation of uncontrolled new media outlets: For instance, technology has
brought weblogs that allow workers access the internet using different social media
platforms and this causes distractions in the workplace (Grunig, 2013, p. 9). Such
weblogs enable employees to access Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram where some of
them misuse the sites through cyberbullying (Argenti, 2006, p. 359).

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ii. Creation of a naked company syndrome: The use of technology has made companies lose
control over information security (Grunig, 2013, p. 19). Technology is directly associated
with the internet, and this creates room under which employees can share the company's
information to outsider over the internet aided platforms (Argenti, 2006, p. 360).
Corporate Communication Opportunities Brought by Technology
i. Creativity and innovation: Technology has made employees creative more than ever, and
this state sets a promising future for technology in organizational communication
(Schwalbe, 2015, p. 80). Through innovation, companies rely on technology to market
their products through the website. Further, innovation of reliable communication
channels such as live support charts and employee job accounts enables management to
communicate memos efficiently and promptly (Schwalbe, 2015, p. 88).
ii. Opportunity for growth in the industry: Technology offers an opportunity for companies
to grow both within and without the industry in their corporate communication
approaches (Argenti, 2006, p. 368. Companies have the opportunity to use technology in
communicating their products to those interested in their commodities and content
(Argenti, P 2006, p. 369).
Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities Brought by TechnologY
Organizations can embrace the above challenges brought by technology through:
i. Measuring and integrating technological functions: Through this strategy, the
management would be able to control all social media outlets hence bringing order in
corporate communication (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,

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2000, p. 200). Authorization and control: Enhancing proper approval and control over
information access will help curb secure confidential information for a company
(Argenti, 2006, p. 370). Managers need to design passwords for the same and monitor all
employees’ activities.
On the other hand, the opportunities brought by technology to companies’ communication can be
embraced through:
i. Investing in the up to date technology: Since technology keeps on advancing, companies
need to invest only in the latest communication technologies that facilitate creativity and
innovation (Schwalbe, 2015, p. 12).
ii. Marketing companies products: The company should take advantage of new technology
to market its products and services over the internet since this is a cheaper way to
undertake sales and marketing most affordably (The American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language, 2000, p. 180).
Conclusion
Technology has brought both positive and negative impacts in the corporate communication.
Technology has improved the quality of messages and communication channels employed in
business operations. However, technology creates significant threats to companies’ confidential
information as well as work destructions to employees. Therefore, companies should undertake
SWOT analysis on the effects of technology to corporate communication so as to formulate
strategies of reacting appropriately.

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References
Argenti, P 2006, ‘How Technology Has Influenced the Field of Corporate Communication,
Journal of Business and Technical Communication, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 357 – 370
Grunig, J. E. (Ed.). (2013). Excellence in public relations and communication management.
Routledge.
Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Ed, (2000).