Communication and Business Communication

By Prof. Dr. Alinoor Rahman

'Business Communication' is essential for the success of all shorts of business organizations in home and abroad. Without effective communication no business organizations can run for long time properly and to achive their objectives successfully. So, especial attention should be going to this area. In this section, as given below, you will study about the meaning of communication and business communication, various types of communication, what factors you need to consider while selecting a method of communication, and the key stages of communication, principles, channels of communication, and different barriers of communication that you should keep in mind which hinder effective communication. Let's first start with the study of the meaning of communication.

By in a very simple way we can say Communication is the process of conveying message. Any behavior that results in an exchange of ideas, news, and views are regarded as Communication. According to Gray Desslur ‘Communication is the exchange of information and transmission of meaning.’

So we can say Communication is an exchange of information, ideas, news, and views among the related parties.

Business Communication is an exchange of ideas, news, and views in commerce and industry are regarded as in an exchange of ideas, news, and views are regarded as Communication. According to Mr. Brennan ‘Business Communication is the expression, channeling and interchanging of ideas in commerce and industry.’

On the other hand, according to Prof. W H Meanning ‘The exchange of ideas, news, and views in connection with business, among the related parties is called business communication.’

So we can say Business Communication is an exchange of information, ideas, news, and views in connection with business, among the related parties.

Now you will try to understand types of communication. We know that there are two major types of communication. i.e.;
 * 1) Internal communication
 * 2) External communication

1. Internal communication: The internal communication could be either oral or written.

a) Oral methods of internal communication: Oral methods of internal communication include telephone messages, meetings, conferences, presentations, face-to-face communication, and etc.

b) The written methods of internal communication: The written methods of internal communication include memos, reports, graphs, notices, forms, questionnaires, minutes, newsletters, and etc.

2. External communication: The external communication could also be either oral or written.

a) Oral methods of external communication: Oral methods of external communication include meetings, conferences, conversations, telephone messages, presentations, and etc.

b) The written forms of external communication: The written forms of external communication include leaflets, brochures, press releases, advertisements, notices, reports, e-mails, faxes, letters and etc.

If we are the sender of any communication, the factors that we should consider while selecting a method of communication are:
 * 1) The cost of using the method;
 * 2) The confidentiality, safety and security you wish to ensure regarding the message;
 * 3) How important, complex, or urgent the message is;
 * 4) When and over what distance the message will travel;
 * 5) What resources you and the reader of the message have;
 * 6) Whether you want the message to carry more authority and create an impression and influence upon the reader; and also
 * 7) The situation of the reader and the relationship you have with him/her.

Now we will see the key stages in the communication cycle. You will see here that the communication cycle involves to phases or stages. There are also at least two major parties involved in the communication cycle: a)	The sender of the message; and b)	The recipient of the message.

a) The sender of the message


 * 1) The first phase of the communication cycle starts with a sender who conceives a message to communicate.
 * 2) Then he/she encodes the message into a suitable form. This form could be written, oral, visual or a combination of these.
 * 3) Lastly, the sender selects the appropriate channel/method by which the message will be sent to the reader/recipient. The message is then sent.

b) The recipient of the message
 * 1) The second phase of the communication cycle starts with the recipient decoding the message that he/she has received. By decoding we mean absorbing the message, for example, if the message was encoded in written form then the recipient decodes the message by reading it; again, if the message was encoded in oral form then the recipient decodes the message by listening to it; again, if the message was encoded in visual form then the recipient decodes the message by seeing it.
 * 2) Then he/she interprets the message or makes out some sense of the message.
 * 3) Lastly the recipient gives feedback to the sender regarding the message.

Now let us look to the barriers to communication. By barriers of communication we mean the obstacles or problems in the way to effective communication. Among the barriers of communication are:
 * 1) Non-verbal signals or body language by the sender or recipient of the message
 * 2) Language, which may be ambiguous or too specialized
 * 3) Distorted listening by the recipient of the message
 * 4) Pre-judgments held by the sender or recipient of the message
 * 5) Nature of relationship between the sender and recipient of the message
 * 6) Messages that involve emotion either on the part of the sender or recipient
 * 7) Lack of suitable systems to get the message across

In business organization, communication is chanelized through certain system and principles. Let's discuss below:

We shall now turn to the communication systems. You should know that systems are interrelated parts that make up a whole to do something. So you can say Communication systems are interrelated parts in any organization (individuals, departments, sections, posts, and etc.) that work together to help complete communication effectively

The organizational chart makes it easier to know how communication should take place. We know that the Organizational chart shows hierarchy of the posts, sections, departments and sometimes also the names of the individuals involved in an organization in a diagrammatic form.

On the basis of above discussion we can say communication systems could be: a)	Downward, that is, higher levels communicate to those below to give orders or instructions b)	Upward, that is, the lower levels initiate the communicate to reach those at the higher levels c)	Horizontal, that is, the communication between or among those who are in the same level d)	Diagonal, that is, the communication between or among different departments, sections and individuals to achieve a specific goal.

Apart from these ideal and established systems of communication, there could be another type of communication in an organization. This is the grapevine. Grapevine is an unofficial communication system which is constantly changing and which does not follow the established lines of communication you have just read above. It results from distortions of truth, rumors and gossip. Grapevine can cause much damage in the communication and activities of an organization. It lowers morale, causes fear, distrust, and an unsettled condition among the workforce in an organization. Therefore, the management of the organization should try its best to keep grapevine limited.

Now let us see what the principles of effective communication are:


 * 1) The first principle is to make sure you know “what the objective of the communication is.”
 * 2) The second principle is to know “who will receive your communication.”
 * 3) The third principle is to know “under what circumstances you are communicating”
 * 4) The fourth and final principle is to have a good guess about “how the recipient will react to the communication you have sent.”

A communication channel is one of the most important elements in the communication process. Without any channel, no communication can take place. If you have an important message, you must to be sent it to the desired receiver, you cannot do it unless you find anyway or device which will carry the message.

Simply we can say the channel of communication may be defined as any means / way used for transmitting a message from the source to the destination. Denham (1984) defines a channel as the physical medium for transmission of a message. Barker (1981) believes that channels are the means by which message are communicated.

So we can say com. channels are the pathways through which information flows. It acts simply as a carrier of encoded message. There are many other synonyms for the word Communication channels i.e. devices, media, pathway, carriers.

Channels or media of Communication

The channels or media of communication may be broadly classified into three ways:
 * 1) Verbal communication
 * 2) Non-verbal communication

1. Verbal Communication: When communication. is based on language, it is called Verbal Communication. Verbal com may be three types : a) Written communication, 	b) Oral communication, and c) Electronic or Computer based communication

a) Written Communication: A message communicated in a written form is known as Written Com. It is word based com. and is always put into writing and generally used when the audience is at a distance or when a permanency of record is needed.

b) Oral Communication: Oral communication involves the exchange of ideas, opinions and information through verbal means. When communication takes place orally, it is called Oral Communication. No doubt, it is word communication but not in writing. In Oral Communication spoken words are used to express meaning in this system messages are exchange between a communicator and a communicatee through neither face to face conversation nor group discussion. It may also occur through telephone call, radio, television etc.

Types of oral communication

Actually we spend most of the time communicating orally whether within the organization or externally. Oral communication could take a variety of forms or types, such as:
 * 1) Private discussions
 * 2) Conversation
 * 3) Oral instructions and orders
 * 4) Gossip
 * 5) Telephone conversation
 * 6) Formal meetings
 * 7) Informal meetings
 * 8) Interviews
 * 9) Oral presentations
 * 10) Conferences/seminars

Guidelines for create effective oral communication

Effective oral communication should be planned. But there is possibility to make changes in the approach of the oral communication, if necessary. The following are the guidelines you have to follow to create effective oral communication:
 * 1) Decide what your message is to achieve.
 * 2) Select the important facts and figures to support your message.
 * 3) Identify the key points in your message and arrange them in order.
 * 4) Choose a style (facial expression, body stance and articulation) to express your message
 * 5) Take feedback while delivering the message and adjust the message, if necessary.
 * 6) Do not make your message unusually lengthy.
 * 7) End on a positive note.

Electronic or computer based communication When communication taking place with the help of computer facility is called Electronic or Computer based communication. In recent years, the nature of com has been dramatically changed mainly because of rapid development of computer technology.

2. Non-verbal communication Now let us know about non-verbal communication methods. As you speak face to face you not only convey information verbally, but also non-verbally. Non-verbal communication is often referred to as body language because here communication is transmitted by the sender of the message to the recipient through various movements and positions of the body or its parts.

Non-verbal communication is often very important especially in face-to-face type of oral communication. We often use non-verbal communication unconsciously and spontaneously. But these non-verbal signals add impact to an oral message.

Different means of non-verbal communication

The following are the different means of non-verbal communication:


 * 1) Posture: The way people stand or sit is the posture.  For example, if you are nervous, then while in an oral conversation you may tap your feet, or fidget with your hands.  Again, if you are depressed, then you may show a gloomy expression with your head down.
 * 2) Facial expression: The human face itself is capable of communicating many expressions and emotions.  For example, you can smile if you are sending a happy news, or you can show anger if you hear an annoying news.
 * 3) Gestures: Gestures are body movements that indicate some meaning.  For example, if you are excited you may sweep your arms, or if you agree to something you may nod your head, or if you are considering something then you may put your hand to your chin and etc.
 * 4) Eye contact: Whenever you communicate face-to-face look in the eye of the speaker or listener.  If there is more than one person to listen then let your eyes roam regularly so that everyone feels they are involved and paid attention.