Easier to convince people of your point of view in person.
Helps you to connect with others.
Non-verbal clues will give you feedback about how your message is being received.
Better for problem solving and working with other people.
Can share documents
Disadvantages
Lacks personal interaction e.g. a handshake
Technical problems
Cost
Difficult to ‘switch off’
May have delayed response
Some non-verbal cues are missed, so people interrupt each other.
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Discuss...
Working in pairs choose five channels of communication from the table. What other advantages and disadvantages can you think of?
Thinking about how to select your communication channel
As you can see there is a wide range of media we can use to communicate. But what is the right channel given our message and our audience? Watch this video to find out:
Selecting your Communication Channel:
Another factor which is important is to decide whether your communication needs to be formal or informal.
Formal communication – office information through proper channels. This communication is structured and deliberate. Formal communication is often used in business to give instructions or orders. It is also used to report information to senior management. Examples include business letters and business meetings.
Informal communication – office information that is quick, natural and based on our relationships with others. It is used more often between individuals who work together at the same level in the organisation. This communication does not have a paper trail. Examples include social media and text messaging.
Word check
Informal communication is defined as spontaneous and unofficial forms of communication.
Formal communication is defined as official information flowing through proper business channels.
Sometimes a channel of communication can be informal or formal. The difference is based on who the intended audience is. The purpose of the communication will also have an impact. For example, a telephone call might be formal if you are on the phone to your boss but informal if you are chatting to a colleague. A business meeting may begin informally but becomes more formal when everyone gets down to business.
In business formal communication is more reliable but can be time consuming. If information is confidential formal communication will help to make sure secrets are kept to those who need to know. Informal communication can take place instantaneously and can spread the information further and faster.
Formal and informal communication
Formal and informal communication channels are in use every day. Watch the video to discover the Advantages & Disadvantages of Formal and Informal Communication:
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