The Art of Communication
The Art of Communication
The art of communication allows us to share emotionally, and interact socially, giving communication a wide range of creative uses as an art form. Communication is, first and foremost, an interaction between or among human beings. Ultimately the foundational elements of communication are to successfully exchange messages and have useful dialog.
In developed societies virtually everyone is connected in some way that did not exist just decades ago. Indeed, given the right resources, the capability now exists to connect almost any two points on the face of the planet. Uniting the worlds of art and technology sparks innovation across boundaries through creative thought and a collaborative enterprise. To design the world with people in mind, you have to marry art and science using communication technology as the foundational medium when building the technologies and experiences that increasingly shape and connect our lives.
The creation of new art forms and the development of new technologies are both driven by creative problem solving. Technology, which applies the knowledge of science, always has an artistic element in its creation and production, even though it may not be emphasized.
The art and science of Communication Technology deals with the ways that data can transfer from one entity to another and can take the form of many methods of transmission. As a science, technology allows us to communicate through a variety of mediums across vast distances and territorial borders. Communication can be both an art form and a science, but there could be no technological collaboration in any science without the artful interaction of communication. Communication allows us to solve problems, so in that sense, it is a true science. But there is also art in virtually every aspect of communication science, including the art of listening, the art of self-expression, the art of interpretation, and the art of collaboration.
One factor that sets humans apart from other species is our ability to exchange information fast, efficiently, and over potentially long distances. The art of communication in technology occurs where thought precedes action and is applied to the improvement of the action. It is the creative expression embodied in getting technology out of the labs and into practical applications. It is what happens when creativity meets new technology.
Advancing the art of communication is applying communications resources to business operations in ways that will solve business problems, meet business needs and even generate additional revenue and profit thru imaginative applications of communications power.
The present relevance of “telephony” prompts a reconsideration of the history of art as communication in the 21st century, and the related issue of how technologies carry the weight of art. Communications is a constantly changing, dynamic field of activity where the state of the art is never static. This has brought about a change in attitude toward communications; a realization that the business community thrives on the exchange of information and the art and science of getting the right message to the right person or persons in the right way at the right time.
New approaches to voice and data communication technologies have fundamentally changed the way information processing and communications requirements are met. The ability to access and share information instantly and communicate in ways that transcend the boundaries of time and distance has given rise to an era of unprecedented productivity and innovation that has created new economic opportunities for hundreds of millions of people around the world.
No longer is a telephone simply an instrument for voice communications but rather an information terminal, a means of accessing and exchanging information in a variety of ways, to and from a variety of sources. Communications networks originally designed to provide simple voice connections have rapidly evolved into systems that permit users to transmit information in a variety of electronic forms, volumes and speeds.
The rise of communication technology, which has lessened barriers to human interaction, can be viewed as an activity that forms or changes culture. It is the application of math, science, and the arts for the benefit of life as it is known. Communication technology has played a large role in the advancement of culture and society. Every aspect of the planet’s effort to communicate effectively and in a timely manner depends on this technology.
The word communication is derived from a Latin term which means to make common, to transmit, to impart. When something is made common, it means sharing and interaction and both of these are very important for communication. Communication is also defined as a “giving or exchanging of information” and the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas. When a message is sent out it becomes communication only when it is understood, acknowledged, reacted to or replied to by the receiving party.
The discipline of communication has grown enormously in recent decades and continues to evolve. One of the more important current trends in communication studies can be encapsulated in emerging technology. The term “technology” comes from the Greek word techne, meaning a human art or skill. Every tradition of communication theory is challenged to conceptualize new technology.
Communication technology, which is technology that enables conversation between two or more people, comes in many forms. Communication technology, like voice, email, text messaging, instant messaging and videoconferencing has greatly increased accessibility in business communication and has revolutionized the workplace. The art of communication has changed even physical aspects of the workplace, information can be sent very quickly to anyone, anywhere, anytime. This has altered accessibility in a multitude of ways.
Any business that expects to thrive today must have at least a basic understanding of the various innovations, programs and devices as well as the knowledge of how to apply these technologies. Small business can use technology to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations, which often results in an increase in production output. This occurs because employees can complete more tasks and activities while cutting back on wasted resources.
Technology plays a strong role in the work environment itself. Many employees are mobile workers who may not require space and resources at a main office location, so decisions must be made about office environment and size.
At the heart of communication is a need to implement a future-proof enterprise. Improve the customer and employee experience, by empowering customers and workers to communicate the way they want, seamlessly across channels, using their favorite devices. By arming business with an anywhere, anytime environment, gives the flexibility to rapidly adapt to changing customer behaviors to take full advantage of a dynamic and global marketplace.
It would be hard to overstate the magnitude of the changes that are coming. Based on the concept that art and technology share the fundamental characteristic of innovation, as well as a synergy at the forefront of cultural innovation, the Initiative should be in the development of new products, services, and capabilities that will change the world in profound and often unexpected ways.
Innovation is at the intersection of insight and inspiration, and is informed by business, technology, and culture. The worlds of art and science, of engineering and production are very similar in the way in which new value is created and innovations occur. Innovation is born when art meets science and technology.
The best companies like Avaya, maintain roadmaps that define the next technologies they will pursue and the requisite timing of each. These roadmaps are matched to their product roadmaps to ensure that the two are synchronized around the needs of the user, not the demands of the technology.
The foundation for future Innovation in communication technology is in achieving the vision for “True” unified communications that will enable us to access and share information that will make everyone’s lives richer, more productive, and more fulfilling. As an Avaya Business Partner, I am very excited about the future of communication technology and Avaya’s innovative vision to bring the art of communication to us all.
Jamie Wood, Avatel EVP
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