This document discusses communication in professional structures. It defines four types of professional structures: entrepreneurial, pyramid, matrix, and independent. In an entrepreneurial structure, decisions are made centrally. A pyramid structure involves shared decision-making and specialization. A matrix structure involves project teams with individuals having specific skills and responsibilities. An independent structure provides support systems for professionals but little organizational control. The document provides examples of each structure type and exercises to match organization examples to structures. It also discusses vertical communication flowing up and down hierarchies and lateral communication between equal levels or departments.

1. Image courtesy of www.southfloridaworkforce.com.

2. COMMUNICATION IN
PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
NOTE-TAKING GUIDE
•
How is communication important in professional structures?
•
How do professional structures affect communication?
•
What are some types of professional structures?
EXPECTED OUTPUT
•
Given an example, you should be able to identify the type of
professional structure.
•
Given a type of professional example, you should be able to give
an example of a company or organization.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

3. IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is important
because it is about how
information is sent and
received within professional
structures.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

4. IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION
The way information is
communicated is often
governed by how
organisations are structured.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

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6. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
Entrepreneurial - decisions
are made centrally
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

7. Professional Structure: Example 2
 Entrepreneurial Type
Key
worker
Most small businesses
have this structure
Key
worker
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Quick to act but
pressure on
decision makers
Decision
maker
Great reliance on key
workers supporting
decision makers
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Key
worker
One or two
people make
decisions
Key
worker
Albukhary International University

8. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
Pyramid - staff have a role,
shared decision making,
specialisation is possible
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

9. Professional Structure: Example 1
 Pyramid Type
Traditional
view of
organisations
Decisions pass
down formal
channels from
managers to
staff
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Information flows
up formal channels
from staff to
management
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

10. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
Matrix - staff with specific
skills join project teams,
individuals have
responsibility
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

11. Professional Structure: Example 3
 Matrix Type
Marketing
Production
Finance
Project A
Project teams
created
Staff with
specialist skills
Project B
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

12. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
Independent - seen in
professions where
organisation provides
support systems and little
else
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

13. Professional Structure: Example 4
 Independent Type
Dr A
Not suited to most
businesses due to
lack of control
Dr B
Support systems
to professionals
such as doctors
Dr C
Dr D
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

14. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURES
 Entrepreneurial - decisions made centrally
 Pyramid - staff have a role, shared decision
making, specialisation is possible
 Matrix - staff with specific skills join project
teams, individuals have responsibility
 Independent - seen in professions where
organisation provides support systems and
little else
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

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16. EXERCISE
Match the Organization to the Structure
 Matrix Type
 Independent Type
 Pyramid Type
 Entrepreneurial Type
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

17. EXERCISE
Give an Example of an Organization
 Matrix Type
 Independent Type
 Pyramid Type
 Entrepreneurial Type
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

18. Formal
Communication
Channels
 What are channels of
communication?
 What is vertical
channel?
 What is lateral
channel?
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19. VERTICAL/LATERAL COMMUNICATION
 Organisation chart shows vertical (black arrows)
and lateral (green arrows)
Board of Directors
Finance
Marketing
Production
Finance
Officers
Marketing
Assistants
Factory
Operatives
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

20. VERTICAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
 Communication in organisations
follows paths or channels.
 Communication between managers and
subordinates is known as vertical
communication.
 This is because the information flows
up or down the hierarchy.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

21. LATERAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
 Communication between equal
departments or equal functions (managers
and managers, subordinates and
subordinates) is known as lateral
communication. Lateral means side to
side.
 This is means that information flows left or
right on the same level of the hierarchy.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

22. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION
 Channels between departments or
functions involve lateral communication.
 As well as formal channels of
communication, information also passes
through an organisation informally.
 Communication is not complete until
feedback has been received.
FLG 123: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com
Albukhary International University

23. LESSON #05
Examples of
Professional Writing