INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

 Communication is necessary if an organization is to achieve its goals. Communication is the sending and receiving of verbal and nonverbal messages. 

The Components of Communication

•         The Stimulus – A stimulus creates a need to communicate.

•         The Filter – Our knowledge, experience, and viewpoints act as a filter to help us interpret (decode) the stimulus.

•         The Message – We formulate (encode) a verbal or nonverbal response to the stimulus.

•         The Medium- We select the form of the message (medium).

•         The Destination – The message reaches its destination and, if successful, is perceived accurately by the receiver.

Types of Communication

Verbal Communication – Verbal messages are composed of words – either written or spoken. It is the ability to communicate by using words that separates human beings from the rest of the animal kingdom. Our verbal ability also enables us to learn from the past – to benefit from the experience of others.

Verbal Communication:

•         Oral Communication – It is one of the most common functions in business. For Oral Communication to be effective, a second communication skill – listening – is also required.

•         (A) Speaking

•         (B) Listening

Verbal Communication:   

•         Written Communication – (Writing & Reading) -Most oral communication is temporary; written communication is permanent. Examples of typical written communication:

•         Memorandums

•         Letter

•         Report

Miscellaneous (contracts, newsletters, and bulletin-board notices)

Nonverbal Communication:

•         Nonverbal messages are unwritten and unspoken. The six most common types of nonverbal communication:

•         Body Movement

•         Physical Appearance

•         Voice Qualities

•         Time

•         Touch

•         Space & Territory (intimate zone, personal zone, social zone, public zone)

Business Communication:

Value:

•         Vast majority of problems in business are caused by ineffective communication in one form or another

•         Businesses essentially human focused organisations

•         Value of good communications therefore inestimable

To Whom?

       

•         Necessity of being sensitive to the receiver

•         Who the communication is aimed at is an important factor    :

•         The nature of the medium and the content may depend on who it is aimed at

•         Should communication be formal or informal?