Communication on the basis of
DimensionDirection
Communication is multidirectional and
multidimensional. There are various directions in which it
flows. Within the organisation it may flow in the
followings ways.
1. Downward
2. Upward
3. Horizontal or lateral
4. Diagonal or crosswise
5. Inward
6. outward
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1. Downward communication
It is the process of
informationflowing
from upper levels of
hierarchy[supervisor
]to the lower
level[subordinates]
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Some important examples of downward
communication are circulars, holding group meetings,
organizational publications etc. For downward
communication to be error-free and efficient, managers
must observe the following:
1.Specify the objectives of communication.
2.Make certain that the message is precise
specific and clear-cut.
3.Make use of the best method of communication to
put across the message to the recipient in the correct
manner.
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It is the process of
informationflowing
from lower levels of
a hierarchyto the
upper level.
2. Upward communication
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Upward communication gives a chance to the
employees to raise their voice against any issues,
which they find as dissatisfactory.
Examples of upward communication are conducting
surveys about the attitude of employees, employee’s
letters, reports of performance which are made by the
lower.
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Communication which happens at similar levels of
hierarchy in an organization is known as lateral or
horizontal communication.
3. Horizontal Flow of Communication
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Interaction between managers at identical levels, or
between peers, between the members of a horizontal
level in an organization. The advantage of this kind of
lateral communication is as follows:
1.It saves a lot of time.
2.It aids in coordinating the task or job.
3.It also aids in teamwork among all the team
members.
4.It offers social help and emotional help to the
members of the organization.
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4. Diagonal Flow of Communication
The information occurs between individuals or teams,
not on the same department or level in the
organization. It is also known as crosswise
communication.
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1. No line of command.
2. Inter-departmental communication.
3. Information are faster and more freely.
4. Less distortion in the information.
During the various stages of production, one
department may require assistance from another
department. Individuals from different departments can
also be put into a task team to carry forward special
objectives.
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Disadvantages of diagonal communication
1. Can lead leakage of information.
2. Can lead information overload.
3. Doesn’t work in competitiveness.
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5. Inward communication
Includes all the information received by the
organisation from the external agencies like
governments, other organisations, suppliers,
customers ,competitors, media or shareholders.
It can be:
•Letters
•Emails
•Offers
•Complaints
•Suggestions
•Requests
•Notice
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6. Outward communication
External communication is the transmission of
information between two organizations. It also
occurs between a business and another person in the
exterior to the company.
These persons can be clients,
dealers, customers, government officials or
authorities etc. Outward communication may be in
the form of :
• Advertisements
• Mails
• Letters
• Notice
• Public relations
• Negotiations
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Interacting with clients, issuing tenders, proposals
And sending letters are all part of outward
communication.
As communication proceed with externals
customers almost all communication skills needed for
adept communication into force.