Answer to Question #229950 in English for Philane

Question

Describe seven barriers to the implementation of a corporate communication strategy as envisaged by Ehlers and Lazenby.

Answer 1

Corporate communication strategy refers to the framework which organizations use to plan communication to their employees, vendors, investors, and other stakeholders. According to Ehlers and Lazenby, there are barriers to which successful implementation of corporate communication strategy lies. These barriers include;

a) information disconnects. When a manager is emotionally overwhelmed, he/she is more likely to misinterpret other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into

unhealthy thoughtless patterns of behavior.

b) Information overload. It occurs when the information is quite high surpassing the team's processing capacity. It will harbor managers in their decision-making process and a reduction in decision quality will occur thus affecting the implementation of the communication strategy.

c) selective perception. It occurs when during communication each stakeholder has an interest in whatever affects them only. However, for effectiveness, there should be coordination of all functions within the organization.

d) Lack of focus. It is unlikely to communicate effectively when one is multitasking. The communicating manager needs to stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience. 

e) Inconsistent body language. Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If the communicating manager says one thing, but his/her body language says something else, the stakeholder will likely sense some form of dishonesty.

f)  lack of source familiarity

g) Filtering and workplace gossip. Filtering occurs when a sender manipulating information so it will be seen more favorably by the receiver. It may be passed as gossip thus affecting overall communication strategy.