Carlos is the team leader of a cost-reduction team within a well-establishedbaked-goods company that produce bakery products under its own label, as well private labels for grocery-store chains such as Zehrs and Loblaws. Top-level management formed the team to arrive at suggestions for reducing costs throughout the organization.  
 
A transcript of one of the meetings is presented next.
 
Carlos: [Looking around the table making eye contact with all of the members.] We've been gathering information for a month now. It's about time we heard some specific suggestions.
 
Jack: [Quickly starting to speak.] At the top of my list is cutting pension benefits. Our pension plan took a hit during this economic downturn so we should reduce the benefits to retirees. If we cut back on pension benefits, no current employees would be adversely affected. Here is a handout that outlines our current costs and demonstrates the cost savings from my proposal.
 
Carlos: Good work Jack. I really appreciate the effort.
 
Melissa: I like your analysis, Jack. [Smiling directly at him] No sense risking laying off employees just to keep retires happy. Good suggestion.
 
Haifa: [With a frown on her face.] We should be absolutely certain there are no legal complications here. I'm worried we might get sued or even worse thrown in jail, which would be terrible. Nothing good can come of this.
 
Jack: Oh for crying out loud, Haifa. [In an exasperated voice.] That might be what happens in "your country" but here in Canada we don't throw people in jail for such trivial things. We will get our lawyers on it. Even if it isn't legal I am sure there is a way that we can push it through and no one will find out.
Carlos: I know you are worried Haifa, but we are not going to get thrown in jail or get in trouble. I will make sure that doesn't happen.
 
Gunther:  I'd support cutting pension benefits. It would probably reduce expenses more dramatically than the ways I have uncovered. Let's sharpen our cost-cutting knives and dig right in.
 
Carlos: There seems to be consensus so far that we should consider making recommendations about cutting pension benefits. Ruth, what do you think?
 
Ruth: I think it is much too early to reach consensus on such a sensitive issue. Cutting pension benefits would create panic among our retirees. Our older employees would be screaming as well. We'll have an avalanche of negative publicity in the media.
 
Jack: [Raising his hand, palm out]  Hold on, Ruth, don't get so excited,  I said the team should first check out this idea with the legal department.
 
Ruth: Just because cutting pension benefits could squeeze by legally doesn't mean that it's a good idea. We haven't examined the negative ramifications of cutting pension benefits. Let's study this issue further before word leaks out that we're taking away the golden egg. We have to think about what is best for our present employees as well as our retirees.
 
Carlos: Maybe Ruth has a point. Let's investigate this issue further before making a recommendation. We will meet here on Saturday, present our ideas one last time and finalize this.
 
As the group was leaving Gunther says to Ruth. "I don't like that idea at all. I promised my boys I would take them to the ball game. What am I suppose to do now? Who does he think he is?"
 
Carlos overheard Gunther's comments and after Ruth left he approached Gunther and said the following: "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Ruth. It seems as if you are upset about the meeting being planned for Saturday. Can we talk about it?" With that Gunther lit into Carlos and in a very loud voice let him have it. At the end of Gunther's tirade Carlos said, "Forget about it. You don't have to come to the meeting on Saturday", and walked away.
 
1.a) Identify three communication channels that occur in the case.
b) Which channel is the richest? Explain
2.Identify ONE barrier to communication that occurs in the case and explain its impact on communication.
3.  What two suggestions from the "Guidelines for Overcoming Communication Problems and Barriers" would you recommend implementing to overcome the barrier identified in question #2?
4.  Identify and explain two sources of conflict in the case.