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Organizational Communication Strategy Proposal

Amanda Reagle
COM/520
April 27, 2015
Stephanie Krebs

Organizational Communication Strategy Proposal

Effective communication is paramount to the success of an organization. With rapidlyimproving technology, almost any business has the capability to serve customers all over the
world. Businesses then set up branch offices, warehouses, factories, and other facilities under the
umbrella of the home station. Employees rely on information from the main office to motivate
and guide them to lasting prosperity. This proposal gives an overview of the tenets of effective
communication in any arena and how communication can impact an organization. Then, these
tenets will be applied to issues concerning differences in culture in a global organization. These
recommendations for change will assist to improve organizational communication, and therefore,
stakeholder satisfaction.
Organizational Overview
Walmart has stores in 27 countries around the world, employing 2.2 million people after a
humble start with one store in Arkansas in 1962 (Walmart Facts, 2015). Walmart gives to the

community through the Walmart Foundation, and is working to make great strides in
environmental sustainability, womens economic empowerment around the world, and fighting
hunger in the U.S., all while posting increasing net sales in the fiscal year ending January 30,
2015 (Walmart Facts, 2015).
Impacts of Organizational Communication
Effective communication strengthens the bonds between the company and its
stakeholders. Stakeholders include, customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors,
the community, the nation, and the world as a whole (Thill & Bovee, 2013). Especially in an
organization that operates worldwide, special attention to each audience is necessary. According
to Aziz, an accurate analysis of an audience is the foundation for any successful presentation
(2003, p. 7).
Effective organizational communication creates a more motivated and positive
workforce. People are the most important part of any organization, and in a global workforce
finding ways to communicate objectives successfully takes a firm understanding of successful
communication principles. Using these principles, Walmart can hire the proper personnel and
procure the appropriate technology to move messages to employees worldwide. This increased
communication will improve production, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
An organizations strength can be measured by the happiness of its employees. One of the
complaints of unhappy employees is either the lack of information given to them from senior
management or the feeling that lower-level employees are not heard at higher echelons in the
company. As a result, the employee is not motivated to find innovate or produce more than
minimally necessary to maintain employment.
Consumer Affairs is a website where employees from companies can voice their
complaints in an open forum. The Complaints from Wal-Mart Employees forum is
unaccredited by Consumer Affairs, which means that Walmart does not pay to work with
Consumer Affairs to resolve the complaints in this forum. A common theme in the complaints is

that managers were not diligent in giving breaks in a timely manner, were not flexible in
scheduling, or were unwilling to listen to employee concerns regarding these matters.
Considering Culture to Improve Communication
In the mid-1990s, Quebec attempted to change the way its citizens acting toward one
another, by creating a system for new immigrants that was an approach focused mainly on
bringing communities rather than people together based on their unique cultural differences
(Theriault, 2005, p. 7). This model of cross-cultural communications focused on working toward
goals common to everyone in the area, with the knowledge that community members will follow
Quebecs Charter of Human Rights.
Global organizations can use this same idea of one purpose, under the umbrella of
respecting human rights, as a way to make employees across the world feel important and
included. While an idea may be generated from senior management in the U.S., senior leaders in
each geographical area can tailor the message to their audience and still align with major
corporate objectives.
Organizations must understand the effects of culture, whether it be personal culture or the
business culture of each workspace. Thayaparan and Graham argue that complex contextual
interrelationships surrounding the nontechnical aspects in relation to ICT (information and
communication technology) implementation that is difficult to grasp can be meaningfully
understood via the concept of culture (2012, p. 180). A new program or system may sound
exciting and useful, but if it does not work with the culture of the workplace and its people, it
will not be used. One must consider the human element when creating new channels of
communication.
Conclusion
This proposal discussed the need for effective communication in any organization, with a
focus on global business and cultural considerations. A company must use communication

methods effectively to unite across the miles and cultural differences to work toward the same
objectives. Only then, will a global organization be truly successful.

References
Aziz, K. (2003). Effective communication. Training Strategies for Tomorrow, 17(5), 7-9.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/docview/21877888
8?accountid=35812
Consumer Affairs. (2015). Complaints from Wal-Mart employees. Retrieved from
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/retail/walmart_emp.html
Thayaparan, G. & Brewer, G. (2012). "Cultural consciousness and the effective implementation
of information and communication technology", Construction Innovation, Vol. 12 Iss: 2,
pp.179 - 197
Theriault, L. (2005). INTRODUCTION. crosscultural communication: A global view. Canadian
Issues, , 7-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208686233?
accountid=458
Thill, J.V., & Bovee, C.L. (2013). Excellence in business communication (10th ed.). Retrieved
from University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
Walmart Facts. (2015). Retrieved from http://news.walmart.com/walmart-facts/