Communication in business involves transferring information from one part of the business to another to create an outcome or change. There are formal communication channels that are established and agreed upon as well as informal "grapevine" channels. The communication process involves a sender, a channel or medium to transfer the message through, and a receiver. Common communication methods are verbal, written, electronic, and visual. The appropriate communication medium depends on factors like the need for a record, the number of people that need to reach, confidentiality, and cost. Barriers to successful communication can include the ability of the sender to understand the message, the content and method of communication, skills of the receiver, organizational factors, cultural attitudes, and technical capabilities.
2. Communication Transferring information from one part of the business to another that leads to some outcome, changed behaviour or changed practice Formal Communication established and agreed procedures Informal Communication channels not formally recognised the grapevine
3. Communication Process: Sender or Instigator Channel Medium Receiver Change in payment systems Finance Dept E-mail Feedback
5. Communication Medium: Letters Memo Report Notice board Faxes Telephone E-mail Face to face Body language Video/video conferencing Internet
6. Communication Choice of Medium affected by: Need for record Direction of the information flow Number of people to be reached Confidentiality Nature of the information length, complexity, speed of transfer Cost of the medium
7. Communication Druckers Fundamentals of Communication: Perception Expectation Makes demands Communication and information are different and largely opposite, yet interdependent (Source: Peter F. Drucker, Management, Pan, 1977)
8. Communication Barriers to Successful Communication Ability of the sender how much the sender understands of the message they are trying to send Content including technicalities and jargon Method of communication including style and body language where appropriate! Skills and attitude of the receiver Organisational factors complexity of the organisation, scope of the organisation Cultural attitudes Perceptions, prejudices and stereotypes Inappropriate target for the message Technical capabilities ICT!
