Business Communication and Behavioural Studies

Notes Business Communication and Behavioural Studies Principles of Effective Business Communication INTRODUCTION CONCEPTS OF COMMUNICATION The word “communicate” is derived from the Latin word “communicare” – to share, exchange, send along, transmit, talk, gesture, write, put in use, relate. A number of definitions have been given to the term “communication”. A few important ones are: Communication is sum of all things, one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding. (Allen Louis) Communication in its simplest form is conveying of information from one person to another. (Hudson) Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons. (George Terry) Important characteristics of communication are: 1) Communication is a two way process. 2) Communication always happens between or among two or more parties – sender and receiver. 3) Communication involves an exchange of facts, ideas, feelings or thoughts. 4) Communication uses verbal ways like words spoken or written, or non-verbal ways like gestures, postures, etc. 5) Communication needs a mutuality of understanding between sender and receiver.

PURPOSES OF COMMUNICATION The purpose of communication may be to: 1) Initiating action Initiating action may be achieved by two basic categories of communication. (a) Expressing needs and requirements (b) Persuading and motivating others 2) Imparting information Imparting information, feelings, ideas, and beliefs may have any number of specific purposes. (a) Creating awareness (b) Creating understanding (c) Persuading others

(d) Influencing others 3) Establishing relation Establishing, acknowledging and maintaining relations with other people, is a vital function of communication.

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS / CYCLE Before communication can take place, a purpose, expressed as a message to be