Current Trends in Business communication

Current Trends in Business communication
Communication is key in every aspect of life, whether it be with our spouse, partner, kids, parents, friends, or co-workers. But, in the world of business, communication plays a vital role in its everyday life. “Communication is the way people get their point across and their work done (Locker & Kenzler 2008).” If a business does not have effective communication then the business will end up losing thousands, millions or even billions of dollars. The lack of communication will also cause production to decrease and wasted time. In essence, without communication a business cannot run smoothly.
In every business no matter how small or how big, communication is essential to be successful. Currently working for the State of California communication is important in completing your day to day tasks. Working in an accounting office communication is of the utmost importance because you are dealing with someone’s money. We constantly have to keep vendors happy and supply them with payment status. Constant communication with the fiscal analysis unit is needed at all times in order to ensure the proper department is charged for specific items purchased. Certain businesses have priority in getting paid and if communication lacks then they don’t get paid on time, which can cost the State of California anywhere from one dollar to thousands of dollars. My job description is basically to pay specific bills for the agency in a timely manner. If I didn’t have communication between other employees’ within the agency the bills would not get paid. If the bills do not get paid I’d have to answer to the vendors who are awaiting payment along with my supervisor. Without proper communication I would constantly be on the phone telling vendors why they aren’t getting paid and not be able to resolve any issues to get them paid.
Currently, I also have to hand out all payroll checks for my agency. This particular part of my job requires communication between many different people. If someone lacks communication, someone’s pay will be affected or someone will not get their check. I have to communicate with about five different people to ensure someone gets their check on time. Even though most employees know me as the lady who gives them their check, I’m still the one they go to if there is a problem. If I don’t communicate with the correct person then the employee’s would never get their payroll problems resolved.
Trends in the work place have become more independent on technology these days. My previous employer went from a multi departmental program to process its bills to an internet based program. This particular program made processing invoices a lot easier but if the internet went down for any reason, invoices could not be processed. With my previous employer and my current one, e-mail has become the primary choice of communication. If employees need a day off they e-mail their supervisor. The manager and other important members of the agency carry blackberries in order to have access to their e-mail wherever they go. Internet access is an absolute must with my current and previous employer. With my current employer all employees have just about full access to the internet with the exception with a few websites. With my previous employer we were restricted more because of the nature of the agency. This ensured that employees did not go on sites that were inappropriate. The restriction of certain websites ensures that employees are not wasting company time in surfing the web and doing their job.
Teamwork is also a big part of business today. If you are not able to work together with other people then how can a business be successful? Businesses can’t function if its employees cannot work together. Communication between co-workers, supervisors, and managers are important in order to be the team that runs the business.
In conclusion, communication is what makes or breaks a business. Businesses cannot function without some form of communication. Without proper communication within a business it can lose money along with productivity. Communication comes in all forms whether it is writing a letter to picking up the phone to writing an e-mail. Along with businesses communication is also important when it comes to a marriage, relationship, or friendship. Children also need communication or else they would only learn by what they see other people do. Communication is all around us and without it the world would not function.

References
Locker, K., & Kienzler, D. (2008). Business and Administrative Communication (8th Ed.). Retrieved from University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.