Obviously, if we want our communication to be effective, we have to be continually on our guard to detect such noise, whatever source. When we find it, we must drown it out. Or better still, eliminate it altogether.

Of course, before we can overcome such barriers, from wherever they come, we must be able to recognize them. When they take form of literal noise, they're usually easy enough to distinguish.

But what we don't appreciate enough is plethora of forms of metaphorical noise. In workplace, for example, we often find conflicting thoughts competing for attention.

Most business executives (and their secretaries!) are familiar with this type of scenario: boss may call for a certain file from filing cabinet, and be quite amazed that this simple request turns out to be so problematic.

He or she doesn't know this instruction has triggered an unexpected stimulus: ''File? Yes, I must remember to stop by store on way home to pick up a nail file...''

Then again, many executives fail to realize extent to which distrust can distort messages. A manager who routinely insists that every printing order is urgent, is not too likely to find receptive ears when time really is of essence.

Let's take a look at an incident in working lives of two very special imaginary characters - Mr Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of a flourishing corporation, and his work supervisor, Mr Brown..

This is a day for which Mr Brown has been waiting in very keen anticipation. Why?

They manage by intuition or gut feel. They think that is being a great manager.

The irony is that it takes a little amount of time to quantify what's going on, but they are reluctant or convinced enough to spend time or money doing this. The benefit of knowing how your business is performing, is astronomically beneficial. Without this knowledge, you are trying to navigate your way through business swamps and mountains to a profit without any map or compass.

All it takes is a few hours clerical work per week. The kids can even do it-it is not high tech stuff! Spend money and do it.

For example, just count up number of sales made, sales leads received per week or month for each product. Plot them in a simple graph with time. Look for trends. Is graph rising or falling?