Communication within a company (Prompt #3)

I interviewed my dad a small business owner from my home town. He co-owns a small auto part business with my grandfather that they started up when he finished college. His business is similar to other small businesses, but also different. With his company being the size that it is he does not do a lot of writing. He communicates with his customers, suppliers, and co-workers, through emails, communication on the phone, mail, or via text message. He will send out invoices, and statements either electronically, or through the mail. Communication with his co-workers is done through, email, phone calls, or over text message. Formality is used for customers and suppliers while a more open form of communication is used for co-workers.

My dad does not write pieces to be published, but he does write up statements and invoices, as well as letters. For customers that he is working on recruiting, and customers that owe the company money. This is different than other businesses, because he is not making statements to the public like fortune 500 companies and other larger businesses.

Common misconceptions within the field of business our all of the scams that can occur. This is brought into limelight by the movie Wolf of Wall Street with the scamming of money that was not actually invested, but was pocketed. This does not affect my dad’s company, but they are occasionally affected by customers not paying their bills. When this happens, there are several actions that must be taken. First, statements are sent out after invoices are ignored. Letters of informant of the next actions are sent, as well as phone calls are made to try to get the money back. When this does not work depending on the distance my dad will go and meet with the client to try to get the money, or it is sent to the collection attorney to get the money.

Many different ways of communication are present within the world of business, and my dad’s company, is a look into the smaller scale of communication, that differs from larger corporations that may have headquarters and employees all throughout the world. One thing remains, true throughout though and that is if their is poor communication, then there will be failure within the company.

Signing out

~ Liz