Informal Communication-Grapevine

Informal Communication
Grapevine

1. Grapevine The Informal Network Models By F O R A M P A T E L

2. Etymology of Grapevine (gossip) In his  autobiography, Up F rom Slavery, Booker T. Wahington says that slaves in the South  kept up-to-date on current events by "what was termed the 'grape-vine' telegraph."

3. Communication Networks A variety of patterns emerge when communication combines through vertical and horizontal channels. These patterns are termed as communication networks. Types: 1) Formal Network Models 2) Informal Network Models

4. Formal Network Models There are five common communication networks that come into play Chain Network Y – Network Wheel Network Circle Network All-channel Network These networks follow a chain of formalism, it makes and follows the system, some time randomly and some time, accurately.

5. Informal Network Models ‘ Grapevine’ Grapevine 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. Man as we know is a social animal. Despite existence of formal channels in an organization, the informal channels tend to develop when he interacts with other people in organization. It exists more at lower levels of organization . Communication in an organization also travels along an informal pattern – network – the grapevine. very active in almost every organization Is used to develop human resources (chairman of Walt Disney, Michael Eisner) This knowledge can be use to form or adopt or change strategies

6. The F O U R types of Grapevine Single Strand Gossip Probability Cluster

7. It flows like a chain, i.e., ‘A’ tells something to ‘B’ who tells it to ‘C’ and so on . The longer the strand the more misrepresentation and filtering affects  Most inaccuracies occur in this chain In this info. flows from one to other in a sequential order 1. Single strand

8. 2. Gossip One person tells to other people This chain passes a message regarding a ‘not-on-job’ nature Generally considered to be slow in passing the information

9. 3. Probability Information may move from anybody to anybody . This chain is found when the information is somewhat interesting but not really significant . Only some people in the organization will get to know the information.

10. 4. Cluster Individual communicates with only those individuals he/she trusts Cluster chain is the dominant grapevine pattern in an organization Most informal communication flows through this chain

11. Grapevine generally develops due to various reasons When an organization is facing recession, the employees sense uncertainty . Also , at times employees do not have self-confidence due to which they form union. Sometimes the managers show preferential treatment and favor some employees giving a segregated feeling to other employees.

12. They discuss rumors about promotion and transfer of other employees. Thus, grapevine spreads like fire and it is not easy to trace the cause of such communication at times. Thus , when employees sense a need to exchange their views, they go for grapevine network as they cannot use the formal channel of communication in that case. Generally.

13. Pros and Cons of Grapevine Communication

14. Advantages of Grapevine Communication Grapevine channels carry information rapidly. As soon as an employee gets to know some confidential information, he becomes inquisitive and passes the details then to his closest friend who in turn passes it to other. Thus, it spreads hastily. The managers get to know the reactions of their subordinates on their policies. Thus, the feedback obtained is quick compared to formal channel of communication.

15. The grapevine creates a sense of unity among the employees who share and discuss their views with each other. Thus, grapevine helps in developing group cohesiveness. The grapevine serves as an emotional supportive value. The grapevine is a supplement in those cases where formal communication does not work.

16. Disadvantages of Grapevine Communication T he grapevine carries partial information at times as it is more based on rumors. Thus, it does not clearly depicts the complete state of affairs . The grapevine is not trustworthy always as it does not follow official path of communication and is spread more by gossips and unconfirmed report .

17. The productivity of employees may be hampered as they spend more time talking rather than working. The grapevine leads to making hostility against the executives. The grapevine may hamper the goodwill of the organization as it may carry false negative information about the high level people of the organization.

18. What is told in the ear of a man is often heard 100 miles away. A Chinese Proverb

19. A smart manager should take care of all the disadvantages of the grapevine and try to minimize them. At the same time, he should make best possible use of advantages of grapevine.

20. YOUTUBE Video links 7 Ways to Manage NEGATIVE People at Work -  # 7Ways https :// www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JO4uqClIbM Workplace Gossip - How To Stop Gossips And Rumors In The Workplace About You At Work https ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rqcH2ON9P4 How to start changing an unhealthy work environment | Glenn D. Rolfsen | TEDxOslo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYLb7WUtYt8

21. P r e p a r e d by F O R A M P A T E L