TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication is the passing of information, ideas, emotions, skills, and
understanding from one person to another at the same or different level by the
use of symbols, words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc. it was derived from the
Latin word commonus meaning common.

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?

Effective communication is more of how a person uses a proper word with a
proper tone to get a clear message across with no misunderstandings to get clear
feedback if necessary.

IMPORTANCE / ROLE OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

1) Clarity of information 6) Group building
2) Proper presentation of the 7) To solve work-related
matter problems
3) Exchange of important 8) To achieve goals
information between two 9) Increasing employee
parties efficiency
4) Making and execution of 10) Negotiation and
plans and policies transactions
5) To get a proper feedback

PROCESS OF GENERAL COMMUNICATION

Sender  message encoding channel receiver decoding  feedback

FEATURES OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

1) Practical 4) Clear and brief
2) Factual 5) Persuasive
3) Target oriented
 TYPES OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
1. Formal communication 3. Informal / Grapevine
1.1. Downward communication
1.2. Upward 3.1.Single-strand chain
1.3. Horizontal 3.2.Gossip chain
1.1. Diagonal/crosswise-wise 3.3. Probability chain
3.4. Cluster
2. Oral communication 4. Written communication

Formal communication
Refers to the exchange of official information that flows along the different
levels of the organizational hierarchy and conforms to the prescribed
professional rules, policies, standards, processes, and regulations of the
organization. It follows a predefined controlled channel.
Ex:- emails, memos, letters, meetings
Downward communication
Communication is when information passes from the superior to the subordinate
level. It is one of the most common types used in businesses as it contains
orders and instructions in either written or oral form.
Upward communication
Communication is when information passes from the subordinate to the superior
level. It is also one of the most common types used in businesses as it contains
feedback, suggestions, reports, etc.
Horizontal communication
Communication between different departments but same level co-workers. Ex:-
The communication between the managers of a different department.
Diagonal communication
Communication between different departments and different level co-workers.
Ex:- The communication between the floor managers.
 In-Formal communication
Refers to as Grapevine, is circulating informal messages also known as gossip,
rumor, Normal talk, or talk irrelevant to work. This doesn’t follow a proper
formal channel. The messages received or sent through these lines were often
incorrect and confusing. It is a part and parcel of the organizational process.
Proper analysis and suitable clarification of informal communication will help
make its use towards organizational efficiency. It is conveyed through gestures,
words, silences, etc.
Ex:- The manager calls an employee to his chamber and talks with him for
sometimes relating to official work and a rumor is spread that the employee will
be promoted to a higher position ignoring the promotion of other employees.
Single strand chain
Information passes from one person to another in a form of a chain. Longer the
chain greater the possibility of falsification of gossip.
Ex:- A  B  C  D
Gossip chain
Information passes from one person to others around him/her. It is like a circle
or wheel-like structure.

E A D

Probability chain
Information passes from one person to another while some are left out. This
chain is used when information is interesting but less important.
Cluster chain
Information passes from one person to other persons who are close to them
while some are left out. Information is passed to trustworthy people.
Ex:- a tells c & d as they are close. C tells his close friends E, F & G.
 # Informal or Grapevine communication is an indispensable part of entire communication
system Sometimes, grapevine communication is more effective than the formal
communication. In fact, it carries more information than formal communication. The
employees generally exchange their views with their peers openly during lunch break or at
an interval and get emotional relief from monotony and stress. It promotes social
relationship among the participants. It helps to build up unity, integrity and solidarity among
them and boosts up their morale. It is also faster than formal communication

Oral communication
Refers to communication that is done orally. Information is passed verbally or
by the way of mouth.
Ex:- telephonic calls, lectures, interviews, etc.
Advantages
1) Instant feedback
2) Most effective
3) Less time
4) Good to motivate or persuade people
5) Flexible
6) Easy to notice the genuine reaction of the receiver.
7) Easy and simple to transfer messages
8) Good at transferring private messages
Dis-Advantages
1) No permanent record
2) Information can be ineffective due to background noise
3) Disadvantage if the person is not a good speaker or an effective
transmitter
4) Receiver may misunderstand the actual information
Written communication
Refers to communication that is done in a written form. Information is passed
through newsletters, memos, books, articles, circulars, reports, posters, notices,
etc. It is one of the most significant means of communication in any
organization
Advantages
1) Permanent records
2) More precise
3) Can be stored for future analysis
4) Can be sent to people who are at a different location
5) Useful during legal issues
6) Good for making references
Dis-Advantages
1) Takes more time
2) Not flexible
3) No prompt feedback
4) Limited to people with sight
5) Poor writing skills can be a major disadvantage
6) It is expensive