Answer to Question #285022 in Management for Ngaaa

Question

how might a high manager use the grapevine to his or her advantage. Support your response.

Answer 1

Grapevine communication is an informal channel of business communication. It is called so because it stretches throughout the organization in all directions irrespective of the authority levels. Grapevine communication conveniently transmits certain messages that can't be passed through formal channels. Whenever the information needs to be used quickly, the manager uses the informal or grapevine method instead of taking it to formal channels such as emails.

The management can use grapevine communication to their advantage in several ways, some listed below;

• Grapevine accelerates the feedback process. If used wisely, grapevine communication can provide valuable feedback to the management, and this input can be used to plan activities for the employees’ welfare.
• The management can use grapevine to supplement the formal channels of communication. The management can open up all the channels of organizational communication to present the facts positively before the employees and thereby can fight the negative messages with the positive weapons of facts and figures.
• The management can use the grapevine as a barometer of the public opinions in the organization or to feel the pulse of the employees in a particular situation. This helps them to take right policy decisions.
• The management should find out the people in the informal groups who are more active on grapevine. These people should be accurately and adequately informed so that the false rumors causing excitement and insecurity do not spread among the employees.
• The managers get to know the reactions of their subordinates on their policies.