Communication Styles and the Business Communication Process

Answer

Business Communication

Business communication can be define as the process through which information is shared between and among people within and without an organization, which is performed for commercial benefit of the subject organization (Mautner & Rainer, 2016).  Just like any other form of communication, business communication just like any other form of communication, is done with an understanding in order to get an appropriate response. In the day to day operations of a business, communication is used to transmit ideas, feelings, plans, commands, instructions, reports and suggestions, which influence the attitudes towards an organization’s objectives. A business communication objective should be set, such that the meanings or ideas are set, such that business information is conveyed without distortions. The success of a business leader or a manager, depends on his or her ability have an adequate communication (Mautner & Rainer, 2016). It is usually the responsibility of the managers, to establish and maintain the channels, whereby they can convey their own thinking and policies, to the subordinates, and can receive their reactions and an account of their challenges. From the foregoing, it is evident that that communication is a key element in a business set-up. This paper therefore, analyses the concept of business communication.

Recent Conversation

Recently we had a discussion with my partner on how to improve our professionalism, in order to gain more market competitiveness.  We are running an auditing firm together, and both of us are qualified auditors. What prompted our discussion was, the low performance of our business in the last quarter of the year. We agreed that we would endeavor to receive feedback from our clients, set quarterly and annual goals, do quarterly and annual evaluation, seek to promote the services of the firm, in order to get more clients and  plough back a greater percentage of the realized profit, towards increasing the net-worth of the business.

Style of Communication We had in the Recent Past

             In the discussion we had, we used   the assertive type of communication. We both stated, what we want the business to fulfill for ourselves, as the investors and professionals, as well as how to operate corporately for the benefit of both partners and other stakeholders of the firm. The discussion was mutual, and opinions were respected.

Selection of the Communication Style and How the Conversation Would Change With A Different Style of Communication

           The reason as to why I selected an assertive communication style is that the discussion we had, was meant to benefit both partners as well as other stakeholders of the business.  Besides, no form or alienation or selfish achievement, was put as part of the discussion’s objectives. If we would have chosen a different style of communication, then the discussion would have ended up creating a greater rift between us, as we would be both championing for our own selfish gains.

Styles of Communication

            According to Agarwal and Gupta (2018), learning to identify the different styles of communication, and recognizing which one is applicable in most interactions with the business stakeholders is essential. This will ensure that there is a constant review on whether the objective of the communication was met.  This will also ensure that we develop good communication skills, for the best interest of the business.  The following are the renowned styles of communication:

Passive Communication

This is a style of communication in which individuals have developed a pattern of avoiding their opinions or feelings, protecting their rights and identifying and meeting their needs (Agarwal & Gupta, 2018).  Passive individuals as a result, do not respond overtly to hurtful anger-inducing situations. They instead allow the annoyances to build up to their thresholds, before bursting. After bursting, they often regret their deeds, hence making them to return to being passive. Passive communicators may fail to express their feelings, which may make them feel resentful, because their needs are not met. If we would have used this type of communication, then in which both of us become reserved with ideas on how to improve the business. The business setting does not give room for us to use this style of communication. This is due to the fact that, we both require our professional expertise for the business to thrive.

Aggressive Communication

This is a type of communication in which the individuals or the communicators express their feelings and opinions and advocate for their needs, in a manner which violates the rights of others.  Thus, aggressive communicators are verbally or physically abusive (Agarwal & Gupta, 2018). These communicators will try to humiliate others and speak loud, demanding for attention, this may alienate then from others, as people tends to fear them. If we   opted for this type of communication, we would both suggest selfish ideas, which are meant to benefit us individually and not the business.   The suggestions we made instead focused on the business and not our selfish goals. The business setting did not influence this.

Passive-Aggressive Communication

            According to Agarwal and Gupta (2018), this is a style of communication in which one appears passive on the surface, but they are actually acting out of anger in subtle, indirect or behind the scenes. People with this pattern of communication often feel powerless and resentful. These communicators often use sarcasm, which makes them alienated. In this case, we would have used disrespectful and unprofessional terms when conversing. Based on such interaction, we would not have a cordial relationship as partners, which is very detrimental for our business. Just like in the case of aggressive communication, the business setting did not influence this.

Assistive Communication 

             Agarwal and Gupta (2018), defines assertive communication, as a style of communication in which the communicators clearly state their feelings, and clearly advocates for their rights, without violating the rights of others. These people value their rights, as well as others’ rights. People who prefers this style of communication state their needs and wants respectfully and appropriately, making then to have good relationship. This is the form of communication which we used. We both talked freely and suggested feasible ideas on how we can make our business more profitable.

Business Process and Communication Style

               Our nature of operations involves talking to the clients to sell our services, data collection on the nature of the service to be provided preparation of reports and sharing the reports with the concerned parties. The auditor is responsible for all the work done as well as the report given. This therefore requires unselfish discussion and proposal of goals which are meant to benefit all the parties. This is the reason as to why we could not use any other form of communication, other than assertive form of communication.