Virtual Communications for Managers (VIR101)

This Virtual Communications for Managers course offers a comprehensive guide to enhancing communication skills in a virtual environment. It is designed to help you and your team navigate the complexities of digital communication, ensuring messages are effectively conveyed and understood, no matter the medium. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to manage virtual interactions confidently and proficiently, leading to better teamwork and productivity.

We begin with Virtual Communication Basics, where you will explore the foundational elements of communication, including the communication model encompassing the sender, receiver, message, feedback, noise, filters, and media. You'll also understand the importance of effective communication with examples such as water cooler conversations and discover the significant impact that miscommunication can have in a professional setting.

Next, we focus on the Types of Communication you’ll encounter in a virtual environment. This section introduces the differences between synchronous and asynchronous communications, helping you determine when to use each type. You'll learn about broadcasts and exchanges, and how to effectively engage in both casual and formal communications, while considering relationship dynamics and the appropriate composition for various contexts. The lesson also covers secure and unsecure communications, ensuring you understand how to maintain confidentiality and integrity in your interactions.

In Types of Media, you'll dive into the fundamentals of media and its relationship with our senses. You’ll explore various types of media used in communication, such as text-based, audio-based, graphics and imagery, and even haptics. The concept of combined media is also introduced, showing how multiple types of media can be integrated to enhance communication efficacy.

The Selection Criteria lesson teaches how to assess both the audience and the message to choose the most effective communication medium. You will learn to evaluate the natural communication modes of your audience, their capabilities, access, and availability. Additionally, this lesson covers technical considerations, such as mediated systems and the intricacies of underlying transmission. Practical exercises on selecting the appropriate media for varied communication scenarios will solidify your skills.

Addressing potential Media Issues is essential for smooth virtual communication. In this lesson, you’ll gain insights into overcoming transmission issues like bandwidth and interference, as well as compatibility issues including file formats, version conflicts, and hardware differences. The importance of malware protection and creating a contingency, or “Plan B”, to ensure uninterrupted communication are also highlighted through practical exercises.

Finally, Group Communication focuses on fostering effective collaboration in virtual teams. You’ll learn strategies to avoid hallway decisions and master the art of group facilitation. The lesson emphasizes promoting quality communication, encouraging participation, discouraging control, and minimizing disruptions. Time management techniques, utilizing a parking lot for ideas, and proactively avoiding problems are covered to ensure productive and engaged virtual meetings.

By the end of this course, you and your team will possess a solid understanding of virtual communication practices, from choosing the right communication types and media to overcoming technical issues and fostering effective group interactions. These skills will enable you to manage virtual communications efficiently and enhance overall organizational performance.