communication

As we’ve talked about many times in this column, technology has transformed the life sciences in more radical ways than in most industries. Many of us went from bench work to office work. Along the way, our work became more streamlined and sometimes more complex, no doubt because of all kinds of
electronic communication happening via computers, smartphones, and other personal devices.

Fostering a cohesive and productive work culture can be a challenge. There are the interests of different departments to manage, time pressures, budget limitations and a host of different personalities. To top it off, people in today’s workplace come from a variety of different backgrounds: different nationalities, ethnic groups, religions, etc. People in your organization may have vastly different concepts of work, interpersonal communication, and group harmony. Multicultural communication skills are a must. The good news? They’re surprisingly easy to practice.

Throughout the business landscape, countless days and hours are spent on the hiring process—rifling through resumes, conducting phone and in-person interviews and vetting potential hires—and for good reason. Company payroll budgets only contain so much flexibility for new employees, and selecting the correct individual to fill an open position involves much more than just ensuring their competence in the role; your new employee is also joining the best weapon in your companywide publicity arsenal: your staff.

Researchers at New York University have developed a method for creating and directing fast moving waves in magnetic fields that have the potential to enhance communication and information processing in computer chips and other consumer products.

Around this time of year, I like to think back on the many challenges that communicators and their companies faced and figure out who really missed the mark. While there will never be a shortage of blunders to focus on, these were truly the biggest communications mistakes of the past 12 months. -- Paul Argenti












