Asda, being owned by Wal-Mart, is a massive retail store. So they have a lot of communication methods, for instance: handheld transceiver, Word of mouth, microphone and E-mails. They spend a fortune every year trying to improve them methods, so the message gets to the receiver, without any noise.
In the main heart of Asda, you will find a range of communication types, with they own characteristics. For instance formal language, which is when more official manner and language is used to talk to someone or a group, usually people will use formal language when in a meeting, interview, writing a letter and doing forms. However no matter how professional the person is, he/she will start using informal communication, usually straight after a meeting, interview’s...etc. Informal communication is used by nearly everyone, and is the most common way to send a message across to the receiver, using handheld devices, word of mouth and occasionally E-mails . They spend a fortune every year trying to improve them methods, so the message gets to the receiver, without any noise. People mostly use informal communication, because they find it easier to use, more fun and it doesn’t take a lot of thinking.
Another type of communication is internal communication; internal communication is usually used between family and friends, and has no guidelines and rules, such as formal and informal communication. Connecting this with business, internal communication is used within the business, for example employees to employees, and is usually used when sending information relative with the business to other staff, informing them of the situation. This may be good for the company as they will use informal communication, which makes it easier for the employees to understand and it is also faster.
Internal communication within a business is good, for example: CEO of Asda trying to send a message to their employees, using they staff notice boards, about customer complaints. This is internal communication because it’s something involving the business and is within the company itself. If Asda uses the staff board, they are more likely to use formal communication, as the situation involves the business and not a personal matter, this will also look more professional, also it won’t downgrade the employees, making them feel important towards the business. However using the staff board to raise a concern may not be a good way of getting a message across, this is because the staff may not find the notice as being serious, they may not read the notice, and they won’t get the message straight away. Also if the staff notice board is aimed toward one particular employee, then he/she may feel bad, and think he may end up losing his job.
Rather than using the staff notice board, Asda could use a range of communication methods to inform the employees about customer complaints, necessary information …etc. For example, Asda could hold a meeting, which can be either formal or informal as it’s just sharing information, this could be done after closing down or before opening. This may be better than the staff board, as it get everyone together and they all get updated on the information together and can ask question on the spot, this also reduces the chances of some people not getting information as well giving the official’s a chance to tell all employees about the consequences if rules are not followed. Although the meeting is a good way of updating people on information, nobody knows how long the meeting will last and may cause frustration for some employees, as some won’t be updated because they shift is at another time. Another alternative could be sending the staff a simple letter or email updating them on regular information and customer complaints. The letters and email have to be formal, which makes it more professional. This is good as it gives them all the information, which also can be stored somewhere for future use. This also makes sure that all employees get the information and reduces excuses. However it will take time for the employees to receive the letter and if the information is a cause of concern and needs to be done addressed to ASAP this could cause a problem.
Altogether nearly every type of communication methods has its pros and cons, Asda could use a mixture of methods to get relative information to the staff. For instance they could use the staff notice board and meetings for urgent information and send letters and emails out if the information is related for the future.
