Business Communications
Summary:
This note offers an introduction to the fundamental aspects of communication, with a particular focus on Business Communications. It covers topics such as the definition of communication, various types and characteristics of communication, the role of business communications, and the essential components of the communication process.
Excerpt:
UNIT – 1
DEFINITION OF COMMUNICATION
• The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
• Means of sending or receiving information.
• Two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange ( encode- decode) information, news, ideas, and feelings but also create and share meaning.
• In general, communication is a means of connecting people or places.
• In business. It is a key function of management – an organization cannot operate without communication between levels, departments, and employees.
• The process of sending and receiving messages through verbal or non–verbal means – speech(oral communication), writing(written communication)
CLASSIFICATION/TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS
• ON THE BASIS OF ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
a) Formal Communications
b) Informal communications/Grapevine.
• ON THE BASIS OF DIRECTION
a) Vertical-Downward, Upward.
b) Horizontal
c) Diagonal.
• ON THE BASIS OF WAY OF EXPRESSION
a) Interpersonal communication and Intra personal communications
b) Inter-organizational and Intra-organizational communications
c) Inter-cultural and Intra-cultural communications
Formal Communications
• Communication takes place through the formal channels of the organization structure along the lines of authority established by the management.
• Such communications are generally in writing and may take any o the forms; policy; manuals: procedures and rule books; memoranda; official meetings; reports, etc.
Informal Communications/Grapevine
• Communication arising out of all those channels of communication that fall outside the formal channels is known as informal communication.
• Built around the social relationships of members of the organization.
• Informal communication does not flow lines of authority as is the case of formal communication.• It arises due to the personal needs of the members of an organization.
• To hear something through the grapevine is to learn of something informally and unofficially by means of gossip and rumor.
Vertical-Downward, Upward
• According to Ricky W. Griffin, “ Vertical communication is the communication that flows both up and down the organization, along formal reporting lines.”
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