Business Communication and Trends
Lameia Clipps
COM 285
September 27, 2010
Sally Walters

Business Communication and Trends
Business communication has several roles and each organization uses each to address employees, communicate changes in the workplace and advise the community. One way that employers address the employees is by the annual review process. This process occurs annually within most organizations from January to April. This determines whether the employee will receive an annual increase and the amount of that increase. Within M&I Bank, when employees are initially hired they receive a 45- and 90-day review. Presenting the employee with these formal reviews fosters a culture of communication and helps the employee know his or her standing within the company. Without these reviews, the employee may wonder or guess how he or she is performing and this may cause problems for the employee and the employer. If the employee thinks he or she is performing at an exceeds or outstanding level but the employer thinks the employee needs improvement, the employee is not receiving the proper amount of feedback and does not have the opportunity to make improvements prior to receiving the annual. A delay in feedback can cause a rift in the relationship between the employee and the employer because the employee will experience issues with morale that might reduce productivity (Hill, 2010).
Organizations often use newsletters to communicate changes (positive or negative) within a company. These newsletters often detail alternate places that each employee can research to find more information. At M&I Bank, if the information is negative and may require more explanation, the management staff normally hosts a monthly meeting to address any employee concerns. This forum allows the employees to asks questions and conveys a synopsis of any changes