Business Communication: History Archaeological evidence suggests numerals and letters written on products and goods trades by ancient

tribes limited to commercial and administrative concerns. Merchants seem to be the first use written symbols because of the necessities of trade and keeping accounts. Organizational Communication : Internal Communication Consists of Upward, Downward and Horizontal. Some illustrative contents: Downward Job directions. Safety rules. Organizational strategy. Products, viewpoints about controversial issues. Employee benefits. Business decisions.

Upward Comments from employees. Reports. Opinions, complaints, problems and suggestions. Horizontal Problem solving

 Job duties. Meetings Projects. Methods for communication: Memos Reports Meetings Face to face discussions Teleconferences. Video conferences Electronic mail.

Communication costs: Statistics on Time spent based on researches.

1. Time spent by Managers- 49.4%

2. Time spent by Technical Workers-40.7% 3. Time spent by Clerical staff-29.1% 4. Time spent by Social service workers-51.6%

Communication Checklist Components : Context Have you considered the cultural and organizational convention concerning the environment of your message?

 Have you thought about the specific reasons and objectives of your message? Sender encoder Recognize that internal attitudes can influence your message. Realize that words you are using reveal something about you. Message Is central purpose clear? Is thought given to both verbal and non verbal elements of communication? Medium Ask yourself: which medium should I use? The more urgent suggests oral; the less urgent suggests written. Ask yourself: Are the symbols clear in the medium I have chosen? Receiver decoder Are you, as the sender, aware of the attitudes and perceptions of your receiver? Are there physical,emotional,mental,or cultural factors in the receiver that could affect your message? Feedback Have you allowed for feedback on your message? Have you been precise about when you desire the feedback?

Problems in communications Conventions of meaning o Miscommunicated instructions. o Reactions to donations, connotations and euphemisms. Perceptions of reality o Abstracting o Inferring Values, attitudes , opinions. Favourable or unfavourable information Inadequate or correct information. Closed minds Senders credibility Other circumstances- personal problems.

Aids in overcoming Communication Problems Meaning o Choose , if possible, the denotive word over connotive word. o Through audience analysis, select the term with which the audience has had the maximum experience and understanding. Perceptions of reality o Be sure to provide sufficient information. o Be careful with allness terms;not all people will agree.

o Choose wisely when inferring, enough data must be used to draw a valid conclusion. Values and opinions o Realize that some audience do not want information at odds with their own biases and limited information. o Spend sufficient time collecting information that is valid and credible.