The Importance of Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication || Personal Development || Professionalism

Without communication, nothing can get done. Communication is how we express our thoughts and feelings, personally and professionally. There are many different types of interpersonal communication and being able to master interpersonal communication is a skill that will benefit you all around. This is especially true when it comes to work because you have to know how to communicate with various personalities and people to advance.

 

Here’s a look at what interpersonal communication means, the different kinds of communication in general, and why they all matter.

Q. What is Interpersonal Communication?

Put most simply, interpersonal communication is face-to-face communication. It is the process by which humans exchange feelings, thoughts, and information. Interpersonal communication takes two or more interdependent people to happen. This means that the action of one person affects others.

Aspects of Interpersonal Communication

When you break down interpersonal communication, it turns out that there’s a lot more going on than just people talking. Interpersonal communication relies on these elements to take place:

 

1. Source-Receiver:

This refers to people communicating. The source is the sender of the message and the receiver is on the other end to interpret and understand the message.

 

 

2. Message:

The message is the subject matter that is being exchanged. In face-to-face communication, these are words, sounds, and also non-verbal communication like body language and gestures. In digital communication, the message can be text, video, audio, emojis, etc.

 

 

3. Noise:

Noise is any interference when receiving a message, whether it be physical, psychological, or emotional. It’s always present in interpersonal communication, just at varying degrees given the situation.

 

 

4. Feedback:

Feedback gives cues about the information exchange. For example, in face-to-face communication, feedback can be affirmational sounds, nods, smiles, or looks of confusion.

 

 

5. Context:

Context is the environment in which communication takes place or the surrounding situation that adds insight into the message itself.

 

 

6. Channel:

Communication happens through channels. In face-to-face communication, this is speech and gestures. In online messages, this is the medium by which a message is conveyed, be it a text, comment, or “like.”

 

 

4 Main Types & The Skills You Need

As briefly mentioned in the introduction, there are four main types of communication. These include:

 

1. Verbal:

As the name implies, verbal communication happens through words. It’s what and how we say the things we say. Communication theorists have often shared that what we say makes a small percentage of communication, and how we say it (sighs, pauses, tone, etc.) contributes more to communication.

 

2. Active Listening:

When it comes to verbal communication, the receiver should practice active listening. Active listening refers to observing a speaker’s body language and behavior. Active listeners provide feedback and ask questions.

 

3. Written:

Written communication involves non-verbal communication that is expressed via written text.

Some of the skills to master with written communication include analysis, technical literacy, and professionalism (especially for formal writing).

 

4. Non-verbal:

Non-verbal communication is included in active listening and interpersonal communication. It includes body language, eye-contact, and gestures.

 

Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace

Interpersonal communication in the workplace is imperative. It helps work get done and is a way for you to build good relationships with co-workers, clients, and the people you report to. In the workplace especially, many of the use cases above come into play.

 

Some of the most important subsets of interpersonal communication include these skills:

 

1. Problem-solving and decision-making:

No matter the workplace, problems will arise and decisions have to be made. Being able to express problems and share solutions will play a pivotal role in who you are.

 

2. Analysis:

Being able to analyze and share information is key to success within jobs. Whether you’re analyzing data or a situation, you can help businesses perform better.

 

3. Assertiveness:

Assertiveness is the ability to take charge and express decisions clearly.

 

4. Sharing of information:

Within your job and for outside stakeholders, the ability to share information is key. Whether it’s expressing thoughts and ideas with co-workers or spreading information about your product or service, interpersonal communication is how it happens.

And Lastly

It goes without saying that throughout your entire life, you will use basic interpersonal communication skills. These are skills we all learn as children and develop as we grow up. The use of interpersonal communication depends on those involved and the situation. Regardless of how you communicate, these exchanges will be at the forefront of all your relationships.

The Art Of SMART Blogging

SMART GOALS || BLOGGING || SMART BLOGS

Blogging isn’t as simple as sitting down in front of your laptop and typing away.

You can certainly start like that, but that type of approach can quickly become overwhelming and self-defeating as you find yourself meandering aimlessly and merely reacting to trends instead of actually having control over your work and your tasks.

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) blog goals allows you to control your actions and gives you the necessary direction and motivation to do everything you need to do to make your blog a success. Here’s a recap of how to set SMART blog goals:

• 1. Write down your long-term vision for your blog.
• 2. Break them down into smaller goals.
• 3. Plugin important deadlines in your calendar.
• 4. Track your goals and evaluate your strategies at the end of each month.
• 5. Revisit your goals every year.

 

Once you’ve set your blog goals and have a system in place for tracking them and assessing where you are with these goals, the next thing you need to do is to stick to these goals. Here again, are some tips to help you do just that.

• 1. Keep your goals visible in your workplace.
• 2. Don’t take on too many goals at the same time.
• 3. Focus on your priorities.
• 4. Find a blogging tribe.
• 5. Be consistent.
• 6. Commit.
• 
  

Make Connections With 12 Influencers And Feature Them On Your Blog

• Influencers are an important part of your content marketing strategy.
• Pick one person every month and engage with them. Use these 12 tactics to build a relationship with them.
• Then, when the time is right, feature them. You can link to their post, or get a quote from them, for example.
• Let them know about it when it’s published, and see if they will share.
• One year from now you’ll have 12 valuable relationships you don’t have now – how does that sound?

Different bloggers, different goals.

• Every single blogger has different reasons why they started blogging.
• Some want to make money. Others want to improve their writing and research skills. Still, others want to gain authority in their field or industry.

Impact of COVID-19: Series 1

 

 COVID-19 Responses For Automotive Companies

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed humanity and the global economy into a crisis not seen since The Great Depression. This development is disrupting value chains, communication, and co-operation amongst business environments. Moreover, it is difficult to estimate when these lockdown norms, presently applicable to about half of the world’s population.

The first step towards identifying the short- and medium-term outcomes of COVID-19 for business environments, and building out strategies to prepare for them, is to identify the unknowns that can influence these outcomes. two most critical uncertainties – the unknowns that are most relevant and have the most potential to define future scenarios.

Based on our analysis and findings, the ‘Extent of Government Policy Support and Stimuli’ and the ‘Efficacy of Healthcare Response’ are the two most critical uncertainties in the present situation. Based on the scenarios, the possible outcome might be, The V-Curve (Short-term disruption), The U-Curve (Medium-term disruption), The L-Curve (Long-term disruption), The W-Curve (Medium-term disruption).

The auto sector had already undergone considerable slowdown over the last 12-18 months due to structural changes beginning with the Goods and Services Tax, shift to Shared Mobility, Axle-load reforms, the Bharat Stage-IV (BSIV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) transition, Liquidity Crunch, and so on. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a multiplier effect – the industry has almost been at a complete standstill since 24 March. Indian automotive industry is likely to witness a prolonged U-shaped recovery (Scenario 2), with a best-case recovery to FY19 sales volumes expected by FY22.

It is apparent that stakeholders across the automotive ecosystem need to prepare and plan to rebound in a phased manner while bracing for a long-term impact. Following are some themes along which players need to act to make themselves battle ready:

Engage with customers and the dealer network, Manage the liquidity crunch in the system, Actively contribute to fighting the pandemic, Plan well for the post-COVID-19 the situation, Plan for a spike in demand for personal mobility solutions, Assess and de-risk supply chain dependencies, Re-assess upcoming launches and financing offerings, Prioritize focus on employee safety and care, Capture opportunity to consolidate operations, Plan for shifting mobility preferences of the consumer, Adopt digitalization of consumer touchpoints to supplement physical sales, Explore offerings around the hyper-local delivery model, Redesign manufacturing architecture and supply chain processes.

It is therefore likely, that the auto sector may head towards an even more prolonged W-shaped recovery instead, wherein a second bout of the pandemic follows the initial remission. Companies must look to identify the onset of such a scenario by tracking and observing certain indicators, so that they are well prepared to respond to the second wave and minimize both, financial losses and the ensuing structural damage to the value chain.

While the initiatives discussed across respond, recover and reinvent for the U-shaped recovery remain valid even in this scenario, companies should prioritize to secure their supply chains and develop trigger-based micro work-plans in partnership with the network to ensure adequate working capital to weather the next storm.

Visume Making

CV making || Visume || Resume || Blogging

During this season of a competitive environment, with everyone running to make the perfect marketing output of one's capacities, we come forward with how you can leverage the capabilities of a VISUME. You must be wondering what a Visume is or how to leverage that to get a job before anyone else!

Let us take a ride to see what it is.

• Creating a video resume is a short video recorded by job-seekers/candidates to unveil their abilities, skills, and qualifications beyond the capabilities of a traditional paper resume. A video resume is also called ‘Visume’ or ‘Video CV’. This helps candidates/job-seekers to go beyond the traditional methods of applying for a job.
• An amazing video resumes acts as an enhancement to the paper resumes and are not replacements. It allows a candidate/job-seeker/applicant to stand out from the crowd of candidates, who apply through regular paper resumes and they directly reach the employer.

These video resumes typically should last for only about a minute to 3 minutes, the applicant gets only a max of 120 secs to create the best first impression to an employer.

Pre-requisites and Tips to make a video resume:

Plan your video resume before you film/record

• There are various types to choose from, either you choose to directly talk to the camera or you create a monologue (slideshow with your voice-over) or you can even ask a friend to interview you.
• Make sure you choose the best that suits you and the one that you are comfortable in, a wrong choice and your video resume might not even fetch you an interview.

Don’t recite your resume.

• Don’t choose to recite your responsibilities and skills mentioned in your resume. Instead, choose an achievement and focus your video on explaining how you were able to attain results or success at that particular experience.
• Make sure the example you choose is in-line with the job you are applying to. Your paper resume definitely speaks for you in your absence, your video resume can bring that outlive and can help a recruiter/employer to make the right decision about you.

Work it from a script but remember not to read directly from it.

• Finalize and jot down your pointers. Practice what you are planning on saying in the video before you start to film, have your script ready if need be and if that helps you to remember your pointers.
• Find a better way to read the script and you don’t read directly off it. Avoid fillers such as ‘Ahhh…’, ‘Ummm…’,‘Like…’ and the rest.

Start by mentioning your first and last name.

• Before you jump on to explaining your experience(s) start by introducing yourself, you may choose any other creative ways to introduce yourself if you wish to.

Validate your video to be clear and audible

• Before you start your video, confirm on a full battery in your cam or any other device through which you are shooting the video.
• Hiring Managers would like to hear and see you clearly, hence make sure to choose a well-lit space, avoid background noises, and that the camera is focused right.

Dint get it right in the first go? Go for another take, shoot as many takes as necessary

• You don’t have to settle for a bad shot. Background noises or any other disturbances during the video – best is to redo the video.
• We bet! You’ll only get better with every video. Choose the best one you want to go with.

Make sure to watch your own video and get feedback from your friends too

• Watching your video and having it checked from your friends' help notice the silly errors we may have in the video which we might have overlooked while making the video.
• Also, having a third person’s critical review would any day help us get better at what we have done.

Edit the final video if you wish to

• If you have one sure shot video which you think is close to what you were expecting to have, go ahead and share it with the concerned recruiter/hiring manager.
• If otherwise, and you have 2 or 3 bits you liked from your different takes of the video, then editing is your option.
• There are several free video editing programs online, choose that suits you best and keep it simple!

Remember, hiring managers/recruiters are no doubt looking for quality but it’s not only about the best pictures or quality in your video. It’s about your effort, creativity, and personality.

Video resume always acts as an added advantage to showcase your best to the hiring manager and the value you would add by joining their team. So get creative and have fun making your VISUME!

Consulting and Personal Branding

 Guest Lecture || Consulting Communication || Personal Branding || Mr. Nikhil Kulkarni

So, it was the 18th of August. Just a normal day like any other. I woke up at 08:35 am, after my alarm snoozed for the 10th or 15th time. Remembering I had a class at 09:00 am, I scurried through my tasks and breakfast and logged into my system at 09:00 am, to see that there were some technical glitches. Suddenly I remembered our Sir had mentioned regarding a guest lecture. I got my notes ready and waited eagerly for what was to come.

At around 09:30 am, came a dynamic young man, into the webinar. He was Mr. Nikhil Kulkarni, co-founder, and director of "Darwin Travel Tech" (www.techdarwin.com). He was a NITIE alumnus and a consultant in KPMG for 11 years.

During the session, we had quite good insights on:

1. How business communication works in Consulting.
2. How should one structure his/her content - The Pyramid Principle.
3. How one can make an impact on the minds of his/her audience.
4. Why personal branding is the best investment.

The Pyramid Principle:

The Pyramid Principle advocates that 'ideas in writing should always form a pyramid under a single thought". We need to structure our content according to this thought. While doing so, we should keep the following questions in mind:

1. What is the objective of my document?
2. Who is the audience?
3. What is the context in which the content will be consumed?
4. Have I listed all aspects of the problem?

MECE: Mutually Exclusive Collectively Exhausted

While considering the aspects, we should ensure that they are MECE. All aspects should be covered and should be independent of each other.

Other key values he shared were:

1. Empathy towards your targeted audience your customers helps grow a healthy business.
2. Create a Network then advertise yourself it would make you visible.
3. Proposals, reports, executive briefing, detailed project report and work papers they are prepared using Word, Excel, and Powerpoint be as natural with these tools as you can you're not selling your product you're selling an idea.
4. Use short videos photos info-graphics as a way to communicate sell your idea and sell yourself with the idea 
5. Organize your ideas your thought from broadening as you go down the chain with the most important aspect being told at the beginning followed by Why, How, What?

Lastly, Mr.Kulkarni emphasized on the importance of personal branding. Now, personal branding is becoming more and more important day by day. It is how you present yourself to the world and effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with prospective clients and employers. He also talked about the necessity of having blogs, Facebook page, Instagram page, Twitter, and YouTube Channel to build yourself as a brand and how one can make an impact through these platforms.

I would like to thank Professor T. Prasad for giving us opportunities to interact and learn from industry stalwarts. The amount of learning that one can get from experience is always unparalleled.

VocalForLocal - Pune's Bakarwadi

SwadeshiMandi || VocalForLocal || PuneBakarwadi || Independence Day || Mandisir || MIG || NITIE Mumbai

S O C H O    B E C H O    S E E K H O

The premises of NITIE, Mumbai echoes again this year with its trademark event MAHAMANDI 2020, headed by Team MIG (Marketing Interest Group). Maha Mandi serves as a unique platform for students to conceptualize and implement marketing strategies to contribute to society.

India and Indians have largely been overwhelmed by the idea of Self-Reliance or Athmanirbhar as they say. And why not? It's an idea that fires a spark of patriotism in us. India does carry the potential to not just dream about it but to make this a reality as well. However, is dreaming about being Atmanirbhar sufficient?

Due to the unprecedented COVID pandemic, small local businesses need more support than ever before, being one of the primary shock-bearers due to the pandemic. So, in alignment with the Vocal for Local campaign initiated by our honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, team MiG, NITIE has decided to bring a whole new transformation to the Mahamandi event.

We are extremely delighted to have honorable chief guest, Mr. Abhay Jere (Chief Innovation Officer, AICTE, GoI), and Guest of honor, Mrs. Apeksha Haldia, (Founder: Zayka Ka Tadka) to make the event remarkable.

Delving into the varied culture and traditions in India, I came across one of the unsung yet famous recipes out of zillions of Indian recipes, "The Bakarwadis of Pune". So let's fasten our seatbelts and take a ride to the Land of Peshwas.

Bakarwadi is a traditional Marathi sweet and spicy snack, popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan and widely available in the markets of Pune. It is made from gram flour dough made into spirals stuffed with a mixture of coconut, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds. It is then fried until it gets crispy. It can be stored for weeks and enjoyed as an evening snack. Bakarwadi was made famous by Pune's famous food and dairy chain - Chitale Bandhu.

पुणे    तिथे    काय    उणे?

We will look forward to coming up with a business proposition to take Bakarwadi to a global presence. This Mandi, gear up to promote your LOCAL things for GLOBAL, be VOCAL with our mantra:

"LOCAL KO KARO VOCAL"

This method of learning has not only embedded the feeling of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, but it has also successfully sparked ideas of some of India's emerging startups. Lal10, Cashify, Cropwell, Level 10 Studios are a few of the startups by NITIE students.

To know more about Swadeshi Mandi and related events, follow Marketing Interest Group, NITIE.

1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mig.nitie/

2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/migofficial_nitie/?hl=en

3. T.Prasad sir(Mandi sir) Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/nitieprasad1