Effective Communications Paper
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Today’s growing businesses are often requiring employees to work in teams to meet project deadlines. Working in teams comes with many benefits, such as building employee relationships and knowledge sharing. Unfortunately, teamwork has its negative aspects, such as tension or anxiety, which almost always derives from poor communication. Effective communication within an organization often determines an organizations fate. This article gives an overview of effective communication through knowledge sharing, effective and ineffective techniques, using effective techniques in a health care environment, and technological impacts. Effective Knowledge Sharing Techniques Knowledge is often seen as a rich form of information. This differentiation, however, is not terribly helpful. A more useful definition of knowledge is that it is about know-how and know-why. A metaphor is that of a cake. An analysis of its molecular constituents is data – for most purposes not very useful – one may not even be able to tell it were a cake. A list of ingredients is information – more useful – an experienced cook could probably make the cake – the data has been given context. The recipe though would be knowledge – written knowledge - explicit knowledge – it tells how to make the cake. An inexperienced cook however, even with the recipe might not make a good cake. A person, though, with relevant knowledge, experience, and skill – knowledge in their heads - not easily written down - tacit knowledge – would almost certainly make an excellent cake from the recipe (Gurteen, 1999). The know-why is just as important as the know-how. A person knows how to make the cake from the recipe, but if the person is missing an ingredient, he or she must know the purpose of the ingredient to understand why it is used and what can be used as a substitute. Advanced Fabricating Technology of Rockford, Michigan, encourages knowledge sharing through project meetings, teamwork, and training and coaching programs to create a knowledge sharing culture. Effective communication is an important aspect in a knowledge sharing culture to meet business objectives. The organization holds frequent meetings on making knowledge productive. The organization rewards employees for outstanding teamwork and meeting objectives through knowledge sharing. Aftech offers knowledge sharing training and coaching programs to encourage employees to work with others and effectively communicate. Aftech believes that working alone will cause individual failure and delay throughout the organization. Organization structure is an important technique to allow knowledge sharing. This is where teamwork sets in. The organization structure is the system of tasks, workflow, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link the diverse parts of an organization (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007). Aftech uses the matrix structure to build teams within different projects. The teams consist of highly skilled individuals with integrated various functional expertise and a team leader who reports to a senior manager. The teams work closely together in knowledge sharing. All types of organizational structures must rely on effective communication. The matrix structure allows team members with different expertise to share thoughts and ideas, which will in turn benefit the employees in meeting objectives.
Ineffective Knowledge Sharing Techniques Improper communication can lead to frustrations and down times. The sender must convey messages that the receiver can interpret. In other words, the receiver should understand the exact message the sender meant. Aftech encourages feedback through all types of communication to ensure the receiver clearly understood the message. When knowledge sharing techniques are ineffective it is usually because of ineffective communication. Aftech started the company using the functional structure as the initial organizational structure. The organization went through a major restructuring because the functional structure did not meet expectations. The functional structure groups employees based on similarities in skills and tasks. The teams were could not properly resolve problems and were not self reliant. Knowledge sharing was kept among a select few. Regardless of the amount of training courses and coaching programs the organization had offered, the teams were not getting along and the flexibility the organization had needed was inefficient.
How Techniques are Applied or Modified Sharing knowledge and information is the key to success in a healthcare organization. A healthcare organization needs to implement a strategic organizational structure to form teams that have knowledge and skills in different areas of expertise. Developing a knowledge sharing culture in a healthcare organization would allow staff to share information and ideas to better serve patients. Knowledge sharing cultures have a tremendous effect on medical research as well. As highly motivated professionals team together to share information and ideas from their own expertise, new medications and cures are constantly discovered.
The Impact of Technology Some of the most effective technology available that allows effective communication are Skype, Instant messengers, MS Live Meetings, and Lotus same time. These types of technology all offer face-to-face communication without having to actually be face-to-face. Skype provides video conferences and instant messaging. Instant messengers allow employees to have a synchronous conversation with team colleagues, just so long as they are online at the same time. MS Live Meeting gives organizations the ability to have group meetings throughout several locations. Lotus same time facilitates a collaborative workspace environment for users across multiple teams. Lotus can prove to be very useful for 24/7 support teams in multiple time zones (Productivity, 2011).
Summary
Effective communication determines the success or failure of projects requiring teamwork, and ultimately, the business itself. When team members communicate with open minds, and by asking questions rather than making assumptions, they build trust and harmony in the working environment. These elements work together to create a business culture of camaraderie and success (Gluck, 2011). Knowledge sharing allows employees with different expertise and knowledge to share the information within the organization. Some organizations may choose to have a strict training program to teach employees the importance of a knowledge sharing culture. Knowledge sharing cultures group people of all different knowledge-based cultural backgrounds to share information with team members. The teams are made up through organizational structures, which vary between organizations. Growing technology assists in keeping effective communication within and outside of the organization.

References
Gluck, S. (2011). Effective Communication & Team Work. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effective-communication-team-work-3167.html

Gurteen, D. (1999). Creating a Knowledge Sharing Culture. Gurteen. Retrieved from http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/id/ksculture

Lombardi, D. M., & Schermerhorn, J. R. (2007). Health care management: Tools and techniques for managing in a health care environment. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Productivity. (2011). Effective Communication In The Workplace. Retrieved from http://product-ivity.com/communication-in-the-workplace/