- Communication Technologies
- The International Standards Organization (ISO) developed the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. It divides network communication into seven layers. In this model, layers 1-4 are considered the lower layers, and mostly concern themselves with moving data around. Layers 5-7, called the the upper layers, contain application-level data.
- Project managers today face greater challenges when communicating with stakeholders. With an increasingly global workforce, project managers may struggle with crafting the right message for a diverse audience across a variety of communication platforms. This paper offers best practices to engage and communicate effectively with stakeholders throughout the project life cycle.
Voice communication is an integral part of success for any business. A telephone system provides a way for employees to communicate with existing and prospective customers, to conduct negotiations, transactions or to simply answer inquiries.
- Useful Resources
- Selected Reading
Network Protocols are a set of rules governing exchange of information in an easy, reliable and secure way. Before we discuss the most common protocols used to transmit and receive data over a network, we need to understand how a network is logically organized or designed. The most popular model used to establish open communication between two systems is the Open Systems Interface (OSI) model proposed by ISO.
OSI Model
OSI model is not a network architecture because it does not specify the exact services and protocols for each layer. It simply tells what each layer should do by defining its input and output data. It is up to network architects to implement the layers according to their needs and resources available.
These are the seven layers of the OSI model −
Physical layer −It is the first layer that physically connects the two systems that need to communicate. It transmits data in bits and manages simplex or duplex transmission by modem. It also manages Network Interface Card’s hardware interface to the network, like cabling, cable terminators, topography, voltage levels, etc.
Data link layer − It is the firmware layer of Network Interface Card. It assembles datagrams into frames and adds start and stop flags to each frame. It also resolves problems caused by damaged, lost or duplicate frames.
Network layer − It is concerned with routing, switching and controlling flow of information between the workstations. It also breaks down transport layer datagrams into smaller datagrams.
Transport layer − Till the session layer, file is in its own form. Transport layer breaks it down into data frames, provides error checking at network segment level and prevents a fast host from overrunning a slower one. Transport layer isolates the upper layers from network hardware.
Session layer − This layer is responsible for establishing a session between two workstations that want to exchange data.
Presentation layer − This layer is concerned with correct representation of data, i.e. syntax and semantics of information. It controls file level security and is also responsible for converting data to network standards.
Application layer − It is the topmost layer of the network that is responsible for sending application requests by the user to the lower levels. Typical applications include file transfer, E-mail, remote logon, data entry, etc.
It is not necessary for every network to have all the layers. For example, network layer is not there in broadcast networks.
When a system wants to share data with another workstation or send a request over the network, it is received by the application layer. Data then proceeds to lower layers after processing till it reaches the physical layer.
At the physical layer, the data is actually transferred and received by the physical layer of the destination workstation. There, the data proceeds to upper layers after processing till it reaches application layer.
At the application layer, data or request is shared with the workstation. So each layer has opposite functions for source and destination workstations. For example, data link layer of the source workstation adds start and stop flags to the frames but the same layer of the destination workstation will remove the start and stop flags from the frames.
Let us now see some of the protocols used by different layers to accomplish user requests.
TCP/IP
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a set of layered protocols used for communication over the Internet. The communication model of this suite is client-server model. A computer that sends a request is the client and a computer to which the request is sent is the server.
TCP/IP has four layers −
Application layer − Application layer protocols like HTTP and FTP are used.
Transport layer − Data is transmitted in form of datagrams using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). TCP is responsible for breaking up data at the client side and then reassembling it on the server side.
Network layer − Network layer connection is established using Internet Protocol (IP) at the network layer. Every machine connected to the Internet is assigned an address called IP address by the protocol to easily identify source and destination machines.
Data link layer − Actual data transmission in bits occurs at the data link layer using the destination address provided by network layer.
TCP/IP is widely used in many communication networks other than the Internet.
FTP
As we have seen, the need for network came up primarily to facilitate sharing of files between researchers. And to this day, file transfer remains one of the most used facilities.The protocol that handles these requests is File Transfer Protocol or FTP.
Using FTP to transfer files is helpful in these ways −
Easily transfers files between two different networks
Can resume file transfer sessions even if connection is dropped, if protocol is configure appropriately
Enables collaboration between geographically separated teams
PPP
Point to Point Protocol or PPP is a data link layer protocol that enables transmission of TCP/IP traffic over serial connection, like telephone line.
To do this, PPP defines these three things −
A framing method to clearly define end of one frame and start of another, incorporating errors detection as well.
Link control protocol (LCP) for bringing communication lines up, authenticating and bringing them down when no longer needed.
Network control protocol (NCP) for each network layer protocol supported by other networks.
Using PPP, home users can avail Internet connection over telephone lines.
It should be common sense how essential it is for you to improve internal communication in your organization.
According to a Towers Watson study, companies with highly effective communication practices enjoy 47% higher total returns to shareholders compared to organizations with poor communication.
Improved internal communication doesn't only affect your returns to shareholders, it can also increase employee engagement, build stronger teams, and enhance the competitiveness of your company. Effective internal communication practices help you increase productivity, build a better workplace, and reduce day-to-day conflict between team members.
So, there are plenty of reasons to deal with internal communications strategically. Unfortunately, companies rarely make it a priority.
Robert Sher, who gives excellent advice to CEOs in midsized businesses in addition to having extensive experience in improving internal communications, provides this case study. After several months, a software company created an IT development tool and forwarded it to the global development team. This caused resentment, which led to the rejection of using the tool. Within only a few months, the company had created a tool and shelved it. Without putting much effort into communicating with other departments, leaders made a rash decision in a vacuum.
Therefore, improving internal communications should be just as important as increasing sales. To give you some practical advice, we have summed up some of the lessons leaders tend to miss.
How to improve internal communications?
1. Encourage sharing, input and dialogue
Internal communication isn't a one-way street. Good communication flows both ways. As important as it is to give feedback to your employees, it's also crucial to teach your team members to give feedback. The key to this step is an open and trustworthy culture that encourages dialogue between teams and individuals. When your employees understand their role and expectations, they'll work for success.
2. Have managers lead by example
Would you encourage people to stay late at the office to work on a project and then leave sharply at 5? Would you talk openly about your company's financial difficulties and then buy yourself a brand new luxury car?
I hope you said no, because one of the best things you can do is to lead by example. If you want your employees to communicate well, make sure you do the same. If you expect your team to share information openly, make sure you do the same.
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3. Get employee buy-in
Leading by example is a good start, but sometimes you'll need a little extra effort to get the employee buy-in. Each year, millions of dollars are wasted due to poor communications and easily solvable misunderstandings. This is a concerning reality for leaders, yet not particularly convincing for employees. In order to get employee buy-in, you need to show and actually provide value to them. As silly as it might sound, you need to excite them about why visibility and sharing information is important. You need to show the benefits they'll receive.
4. Make Objectives and goals public
Wireless Communication Networks And Systems
On average, about half of companies fail to effectively communicate business strategies to employees in a way they could live it in their daily jobs. Its quite difficult to execute a strategy that you don't have a full picture of. To make your employees' work easier and more meaningful, it's good to publish company, team, and personal goals. Make them clear and visible to everyone. One great method that can help you is OKRs – Objectives and Key Results.
Amazon Wireless Network Card
5. Use online tools instead of meetings
Office workers waste around 3.8 hours a week on unproductive meetings. With proper planning, you can make your team meetings more efficient, but sometimes it's just not worth the effort. There are better ways to communicate and collaborate. One option is to use online team updates and reporting tools. Improved collaboration through social technologies could raise the productivity of interaction by around 20%.
6. Establish regular processes
Communication should be a part of your daily or weekly routine, not just for an annual information blast. People want granular, real-time updates. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to make communication a weekly process with defined rules.
Wireless Network Card Driver
7. Train people in the language of sharing
The fact that you understand your thoughts doesn't automatically mean others will have the same understanding. Most people are trained at writing for themselves, sharing information from their perspectives and not for others. Nonetheless, writing in a way that is easy to understand is a learned skill. Having a coach can really help aid the process.
8. Use mobile tools
Most people are accustomed to consuming information on the go. Modern technology has spoiled us with the choice of getting the exact answer wherever we are. More and more employees are working from different parts of the globe and therefore need information on the fly. Provide tools for internal work-related sharing on phones and tablets. You can also try out Weekdone app.
9. Survey your employees
Run regular employee surveys to get answers to the most pressing issues at the time. Be aware of what your team feels and thinks and don't only concentrate on achievements and plans. Having good insight into what's discussed over a casual cup of coffee and around the lunch table can provide valuable learning points. This kind of information is something that could predict future success stories or miserable failures.
10. Listen
All of the previous steps are pointless if you don't know how to listen and take in the new information. Quite often, listening is more important than publishing information. It's not enough to ask for input, it is vital to be able to really wait for it and listen to it. In the end, we have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we talk.
Wireless Network Card Definition
Try implementing one of these steps right away. Don't wait for another misunderstanding to emerge. Act now.