Understanding the Layers of Communication

James Razzano Managerial Communication MAN -373

11/15/14 Prof. Robert Saldarini

Written Assignment 1

Application of Managerial Communications

According to author Geraldine E. Hynes in her book, Managerial Communication Strategies and Application, the strategic approach to the managerial communication process can be compared to an onion (Hynes, 2011, p. 28). Hynes explains that the layers include cultural context and climate of the people involved in the communication event, the sender, receiver, and the purpose of the communication, specific content of the message, the message’s channel, the physical environment in which it occurs, and the time the communication occurs (Hynes, 2011, p. 29-32).

It is vital to identify managerial situations that misuse these layers of communication to fully understand their implications on an organization. In the article, “The Top 3 Corporate Communication Mistakes of 2013,” posted by David Grossman on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, several examples of poorly handled communication were outlined.

On the top of that list is a recent managerial communication mishap that has led to damaging results for the America On Line (AOL) organization. In August of 2013, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong made a decision to reduce the number of Patch websites in his company (Launder, 2013, para. 1). According to a Wall Street Journal article written early this year by William Launder, “AOL Unloads Most of Patch Local News Site,” Armstrong made a deal to sell a majority stake in its Patch Local news network to Hale Global, an investment firm specializing in turnaround situations. The deal marks AOL's effective exit from Patch, after years of trying to make the venture and its 900 local news sites profitable. (Launder, 2013, para. 1). For AOL Chief Executive Tim Armstrong, the deal had particular significance, as he helped found Patch before joining the Internet company, which acquired Patch...