Cross-functional communication

Cross-functional communication is a type of corporate communication. It involves facilitating exchanges between all members of the company, whatever their hierarchical level.

Internal communication is essential to boost the creativity of all employees, but also to create emulation within teams. It’s also a necessary tool for conveying key information, corporate values, and culture among all members of the organization.

Internal communication can take a number of forms:

Upward communication: this is communication that starts with employees and is directed upwards. Its purpose is to pass on complaints or suggestions.
Downward communication: this comes from up the hierarchy or from management and is directed towards the company's employees. Its aim is to disseminate key information about the company's objectives and internal regulations. It can also be used to resolve internal conflicts.
Cross-functional communication: also known as horizontal communication, this refers to communication between all company players, without creating any distinction between the different hierarchical levels.

downward upward cross functional communication

The aim of cross-functional communication is to improve management, free the flow of ideas, and facilitate collaboration and relations between all members of the company. Whatever their position within the company, everyone is free to communicate. To achieve this, a number of tools are available, such as the following:

intranet,
company newsletter,
internal blog,
emails,
corporate social networks,
internal instant messaging,
signage,
meetings, and
festive events.

Communicating within the company is essential for sharing key information, motivating team members, and creating a pleasant working atmosphere. Fluid, open communication is the key to moving a work project forward. But you need to know how to implement an effective cross-functional communication strategy.

Here are a few tips to help you achieve this:

Define a few rules: it's not about communicating in all directions. Certain rules of the game need to be established based on the company's values and goals.
Value contributors: to ensure that everyone wants to participate, contributors need to feel as valued as their ideas and suggestions.
Avoid censorship: while respecting a few rules, it's important to free the floor so that all ideas can be expressed.
Don't judge: any form of judgment is counterproductive. To keep communication open, all people and all ideas must be taken into account and listened to.

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