Communication in business involves transferring information from one part of a business to another to produce outcomes or changes. There are formal communication channels that are established procedures and informal channels like gossip. Communication is a process with a sender, channel, receiver, and potential feedback. It can be verbal, written, electronic, visual, or audio. The choice of communication medium depends on needs like needing a record, the direction of information flow, the audience size, confidentiality, and information complexity and cost. Successful communication depends on the sender's understanding, the content clarity, the method suitability, the receiver's skills and attitude, and organizational and cultural factors. Barriers include lack of ability, unclear content, inappropriate methods, receiver skills, and technical

1. Communication in BusinessCommunication in Business
Nermin SeficNermin Sefic

2. CommunicationCommunication
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. CommunicationCommunication
Process:
Sender or
Instigator
Channel Medium Receiver
Change in
payment systems
Finance Dept
E-mail
Feedback

4. CommunicationCommunication
Methods:
◦ Verbal – face to face
◦ Written
◦ Electronic
◦ Visual
◦ Audio
◦ Group meetings
◦ Notice boards
◦ Text!

5. CommunicationCommunication
Medium:
◦ Letters
◦ Memo
◦ Report
◦ Notice board
◦ Faxes
◦ Telephone
◦ E-mail
◦ Face to face
◦ Body language
◦ Video/video conferencing
◦ Internet

6. CommunicationCommunication
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. CommunicationCommunication
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. CommunicationCommunication
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!