COMMUNICATION

                          COMMUNICATION

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.

1. An information source, which produces a message.
2. A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals
3. A channel, to which signals are adapted for transmission
4. A receiver, which 'decodes' (reconstructs) the message from the signal.
5. A destination, where the message arrives.

The history of communication dates back to prehistory. Communication can range from very subtle processes of exchange, to full conversations and mass communication. Human communication was revolutionized with speech perhaps 200,000 years ago ^{citation needed} Symbols were developed about 30,000 years ago ^[1], and writing about 7,000. On a much shorter scale, there have been major developments in the field of telecommunication

Ways We Communicate:

1. Talking
2. Hand Gestures
3. Colour Codes
4. Music
5. Drawings
6. Cards
7. Text Messaging
8. E-Mail
9. Telecommunications
10. Phone Call

Types of Business Communication

There are two types of business communication in an organization:

1. Internal Communication
2. External Communication

1. Internal Communication

Communication within an organization is called "Internal Communication".

It includes all communication within an organization. It may be informal or a formal function or department providing communication in various forms to employees.

Effective internal communication is a vital mean of addressing organizational concerns. Good communication may help to increase job satisfaction, safety, productivity, and profits and decrease grievances and turnover.

Under Internal Business Communication types there come;

a) Upward Communication
b) Downward Communication
c) Horizontal/Literal communication

a) Upward Communication

Upward communication is the flow of information from subordinates to superiors, or from employees to management. Without upward communication, management works in a vacuum, not knowing if messages have been received properly, or if other problems exist in the organization.

By definition, communication is a two-way affair. Yet for effective two-way organizational communication to occur, it must begin from the bottom.

Upward Communication is a mean for staff to:

o Exchange information

o Offer ideas

o Express enthusiasm

o Achieve job satisfaction

o Provide feedback

b) Downward Communication

Information flowing from the top of the organizational management hierarchy and telling people in the organization what is important (mission) and what is valued (policies).

Downward communication generally provides enabling information - which allows a subordinate to do something.

e.g.: Instructions on how to do a task.

Downward communication comes after upward communications have been successfully established. This type of communication is needed in an organization to:

Ø  Transmit vital information

Ø  Give instructions

Ø  Encourage 2-way discussion

Ø  Announce decisions

Ø  Seek cooperation

Ø  Provide motivation

Ø  Boost morale

Ø  Increase efficiency

Ø  Obtain feedback

Both Downward & Upward Communications are collectively called "Vertical Communication"

c) Horizontal/Literal communication

Horizontal communication normally involves coordinating information, and allows people with the same or similar rank in an organization to cooperate or collaborate. Communication among employees at the same level is crucial for the accomplishment of work. Horizontal Communication is essential for:

o Solving problems

o Accomplishing tasks

o Improving teamwork

o Building goodwill

o Boosting efficiency

2. External Communication

Communication with people outside the company is called "external communication". Supervisors communicate with sources outside the organization, such as vendors and customers.
It leads to better;

o Sales volume

o Public credibility

o Operational efficiency

o Company profits

It should improve

o Overall performance

o Public goodwill

o Corporate image

Ultimately, it helps to achieve

o Organizational goals

o Customer satisfaction

In short, there are four main types of communication; these consist of written, verbal,computerised and special methods. (Verbal can be split into two groups; verbal and non-verbal) Non-verbal communication involves things such as body language, crossing your arms, having your hands in your pockets, crossing your legs, eye contact etc.