,Unit 1.1 Introduction to business communication
• Communication is part of our everyday lives and because of this, people tend to forget the
complexity of the communication process.
• Organisations are faced with many modern-day challenges, such as social media message
requirements, the demands of pressure groups, special interest groups, stakeholder interests and
unions.
• Effective communication is often the key to dealing with these challenges, and good communication
skill remains an essential component of being successful in business.
Interactions:
• In any interaction between people, it is the listener who is the audience.
• Listeners play an active role in the communication process: one of receiving, interpreting and
understanding the message, and of formulating an appropriate response to the message.
Effective communication:
• Effective communicators understand that their messages should be audience-centred.
• They know, also, that without a clearly defined message purpose, their communication might lack
focus.
• Message planning, composure and appropriate delivery are, therefore, integral parts of successful
communication.
Relevant chapter: 1
,1.1 a)
Introduction
• No organisation can function without communication and every activity, process or organisation
endeavour requires some form of verbal or non-verbal communication.
• All relationships whether personal or professional are formed, maintained and strengthened through
communication. Therefore, it makes sense that one should try to improve their communication
skills and become familiar with the theory and science of communication.
COVID-19 & communication
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of business communication to employees,
suppliers and customers. The ability of a business to communicate effectively during this time
has, in many cases, contributed to its survival and, in some cases, its growth during this time.
• It would be fair to say that the extent to which a business is able to communicate has a direct
effect on its ability to survive. Every individual in the business has a duty to contribute to the
organisation’s quest to survive and grow and they can do this by effectively communicating to
the various stakeholders of the business. Ensuring their personal growth and advancement in the
business by being good communicators is another reason for gaining more knowledge about
business communication and the skills required for it.
1.1 b)
A model of interpersonal communication
Definition of communication: “the process of creating meaning between two or more people through
the expression and interpretation of messages”
Some models depict communication as a linear process. Other models depict it as cyclical in nature,
where communication is viewed as transactional and a process which is ongoing, enriched by
feedback and the participation of all parties.
Models
, • Models like these are essential in helping us to break the communication process down into its
composite parts so that we may better understand each step and element involved.
• Understanding the models also helps us to identify our role in the process and appreciate the roles of
others in the communication process.
• Academic theories and the models used in them are formulated to explain, predict and understand
phenomena to extend the knowledge we already have (Alfaisal University Library, n.d.).
Decoding: An audience receiving,
interpreting and understanding the message
Feedback: The response or
reaction to the message
Audience: The person or persons to
Process of cyclical or dynamic communication whom the sender directs the message
1.1 c)
Elements in the communication process
Sender: Sometimes referred to as the Encoding: The act of making the information accessible and
source, the encoder or the communicator. perceptible to others by turning the sender’s ideas and thoughts
This is the person who initiates into understandable messages. Messages are often encoded
communication with the desire to convey a using both verbal and non-verbal codes.
thought or idea
Code: A set of symbols with an agreed upon meaning, like a
Medium: The concrete form used to language
deliver the message. It is worth noting that
the form or medium chosen will be affected Message: The content or subject matter of the message
by various factors that include proximity,
the nature and complexity of the message,
audience preferences, etc.
• Communication is part of our everyday lives and because of this, people tend to forget the
complexity of the communication process.
• Organisations are faced with many modern-day challenges, such as social media message
requirements, the demands of pressure groups, special interest groups, stakeholder interests and
unions.
• Effective communication is often the key to dealing with these challenges, and good communication
skill remains an essential component of being successful in business.
Interactions:
• In any interaction between people, it is the listener who is the audience.
• Listeners play an active role in the communication process: one of receiving, interpreting and
understanding the message, and of formulating an appropriate response to the message.
Effective communication:
• Effective communicators understand that their messages should be audience-centred.
• They know, also, that without a clearly defined message purpose, their communication might lack
focus.
• Message planning, composure and appropriate delivery are, therefore, integral parts of successful
communication.
Relevant chapter: 1
,1.1 a)
Introduction
• No organisation can function without communication and every activity, process or organisation
endeavour requires some form of verbal or non-verbal communication.
• All relationships whether personal or professional are formed, maintained and strengthened through
communication. Therefore, it makes sense that one should try to improve their communication
skills and become familiar with the theory and science of communication.
COVID-19 & communication
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of business communication to employees,
suppliers and customers. The ability of a business to communicate effectively during this time
has, in many cases, contributed to its survival and, in some cases, its growth during this time.
• It would be fair to say that the extent to which a business is able to communicate has a direct
effect on its ability to survive. Every individual in the business has a duty to contribute to the
organisation’s quest to survive and grow and they can do this by effectively communicating to
the various stakeholders of the business. Ensuring their personal growth and advancement in the
business by being good communicators is another reason for gaining more knowledge about
business communication and the skills required for it.
1.1 b)
A model of interpersonal communication
Definition of communication: “the process of creating meaning between two or more people through
the expression and interpretation of messages”
Some models depict communication as a linear process. Other models depict it as cyclical in nature,
where communication is viewed as transactional and a process which is ongoing, enriched by
feedback and the participation of all parties.
Models
, • Models like these are essential in helping us to break the communication process down into its
composite parts so that we may better understand each step and element involved.
• Understanding the models also helps us to identify our role in the process and appreciate the roles of
others in the communication process.
• Academic theories and the models used in them are formulated to explain, predict and understand
phenomena to extend the knowledge we already have (Alfaisal University Library, n.d.).
Decoding: An audience receiving,
interpreting and understanding the message
Feedback: The response or
reaction to the message
Audience: The person or persons to
Process of cyclical or dynamic communication whom the sender directs the message
1.1 c)
Elements in the communication process
Sender: Sometimes referred to as the Encoding: The act of making the information accessible and
source, the encoder or the communicator. perceptible to others by turning the sender’s ideas and thoughts
This is the person who initiates into understandable messages. Messages are often encoded
communication with the desire to convey a using both verbal and non-verbal codes.
thought or idea
Code: A set of symbols with an agreed upon meaning, like a
Medium: The concrete form used to language
deliver the message. It is worth noting that
the form or medium chosen will be affected Message: The content or subject matter of the message
by various factors that include proximity,
the nature and complexity of the message,
audience preferences, etc.
