Evaluating Business Communication

When communicating with different levels of a company it is important to chose the most effective and appropriate source of communication. In addition, ethics should be considered in how and what information is being presented. This report will review two documents from members of an accounting team advising the sales manager and marketing manager from Riordan Company about the results of the review of JJJ’s financials. By reviewing these two documents, the effectiveness of the sources and attention to ethics can be examined. Appropriateness and Effectiveness of the Documents Document 1 is a Memorandum to Dana, the Marketing Manager.

This source is formal enough to present Dana with the review of JJJ Company’s financials. Although Document 1 is an appropriate source, the document is not effective in presenting Dana with all the information that matters to her. JJJ Company’s financial status is clear but the effect this has on marketing channels is not fully detailed. Instead, the paper focuses solely on profits; this focus is more appropriate for the Marketing Manager. Document 2 is an e-mail to Mark, the Sales Manager. E-mails can provide about the same level of formality as a memorandum so this source is also an appropriate choice to a Marketing Manager.

An IM would have been too informal to provide this information to a manager and a report would have provided more information than needed by a marketing manager but appropriate for an ad hoc committee or CEO. Like Document 1, the financial status of JJJ Company is clearly defined but unlike Document 1, ethical boundaries are surpassed. Attention to Ethics Document 1 stays within the boundaries of not revealing too much information reserved to higher ups such as he CEO. It clearly states the financial instability of JJJ Company but it does not confirm that the acquisition is not going through.

The writer understands that the confirmation should come from the CEO. Document 2 provides more information that should have been provided. The first paragraph in Document 2 states, “William CEO would like to get this acquisition, only if it means a profit to the company. William would like to see bigger dividends for the shareholders…” The writer should have omitted mentioning opinions that came from the CEO, if the CEO found this information to be important for the Marketing Manager to know he would need to be the person presenting this information.

Conclusion It is significant to choose an appropriate source of communicating with different people of different levels within a company. Choosing the correct source will allow the presenter to communicate necessary information in an efficient manner. Regardless, of what sources is used, ethics need to be considered in how and what information is being presented. Deciding the level of formality and the extent of the depth and detail of the information are key factors in presenting an ethical bound business communication.