One of the main tools of control in organizations is the information. Using, transferring and receiving a feedback on this information are the main principles of communication. The idea of business communication can imply a deeper meaning, although the basic concept is the same, i.e. implementing verbal and writing skills to effectively organize your through specific standards. In that sense, this paper shows that through my career I learned, used and implemented communication skills effectively. Through each of my positions, my duties implied learning and using different ways of communication, from memos, reports, and briefs, to spoken communications and personal interviews.
My current job is the position of a surveillance agent. The work is mostly technical requiring the utilization and maintaining expansive video and audio monitoring systems, data bases and communication networks. At the same time this position implied supporting property operations by two-way radio, telephones, IT systems’ interactions, closed circuit monitoring and face-to-face conversations as well as writing reports regarding occurring problematic situations. During the period of four years I got familiar with formal interaction and reporting routines which helped me successfully convey the concept of formal documentation in that organization. I utilized my skills to learn how to write a good purpose statement, which in the context of the organization I am working for, meant making clear, “the specific technical questions that must be answered to solve the problem” (Locker and Kaczmarek).
In my previous position, I worked as a researcher, USGenWeb County coordinator, and a part time transcriptionist. Part of the job was on a voluntary basis, where I enjoyed supporting several sites dedicated to historical document preservation and providing historical documents for fellow researchers. Other parts of the job included doing hard copy transcription of US Immigration Court hearings from 4-channel audio recordings. Although most of the transcription job did not require direct communicative skills, I obtained practical knowledge of legal terminology, and the ability to research pertinent data from numerous texts related to Homeland Security, United States Department of Justice, Immigration, and Naturalization Service (INS).
At that stage of my career, constant transcription of mostly legal documents helped polishing my writing skills by observing various writing styles and delivery strategies. Legal documents were mostly about choosing words, which is a crucial moment in business writing, where you have to “make choices about which words and phrases to use…” (Locker and Kaczmarek 165).
I spent a year working at the Federal and State Uniform Crime Reporting after I had completed Uniform Crime Reporting training. This job was also concerned with documentation and reporting where I learned interpreting and preparing officer’s hearing data and coordinating District and Circuit Courts preparations for criminal and civil prosecutions.
In addition to the paper job, I developed my interpersonal communication by successfully interacting with public, officers, court personnel, attorneys, and outside law enforcement agencies. This interaction was performed on a daily basis in person, by phone, fax, email, IT and other means. During that period, due to the necessity of interacting with many people on formal level, I learned how to effectively deliver my speech through “projecting a positive image” of the police department and engaging the interlocutor through anticipating the regular questions asked.
One of my first job positions that were beneficial in developing communication skills was working as a Roofing Corporation Office Manager and Treasurer and Accounting Clerk for Chiefs of Police Association. Both jobs were concerned with financial documentations, such as the preparation of financial, and tax reports. Additionally, in Chiefs of Police Association I had to resolve accounts issues personally via communication. In that sense, my work practice helped learning that a conflict situation is a matter of how you can lead the conversation. Although many aspects such as demonstrating empathy, clarifying the issue and showing interest, we use in our daily life, it takes time experience and practice to implement them in conversations with unknown people. In that sense, I like to follow the rule that every day is a lesson, where we do not learn new things, rather than learn how to use our old.
I was told about the benefits of effective communication when I was still in school. Effective communication, whether it is business communication or informal, has its main concept in delivering an idea. No matter what means are used to deliver this idea, written, oral, or non-verbal, the usage of a right or wrong strategy can make a difference in changing the initially planned idea. I use my communication skills every day, and whether it is a matter of professional necessity, or a personal issue such as proposing an effective toast on a friend’s wedding, I can say that my work experience has taught me most of the aspects that developed these skills. The degree of responsibility in work positions that I was taking through my career, made me learn not only the theoretical aspects through self-learning, but also polish my knowledge with constant practice. In that matter, I believe that I have the necessary knowledge on business communications, which was acquired and developed during my professional career.
Works Cited
Hartley, Peter, and Clive G. Bruckmann. Business Communication. London; New York: Routledge, 2002.
Locker, Kitty O., and Stephen Kyo Kaczmarek. Business Communication: Building Critical Skills. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2004.