There are different types of business communication. Some of them are formal, while others are more informal, like horizontal communication. Formal business communication follows a hierarchical chain of command. Listed below are the different types of business communication. To understand their differences, read the sections below:
Formal business communication follows a hierarchical chain of command
In business communication, a formal chain of command is the way to organize power, authority, and decision-making. Most companies have different levels of management, with the top executives reporting to the CEO and vice versa. Lower-level employees report to supervisors, who are in turn reporting to managers and executives. Companies use a chain of command to create discipline and establish a sense of responsibility among their employees.
As the name implies, formal communication follows a hierarchy. It is used primarily at the workplace and involves information that is intended to be prescriptive, organized, and explicit. It is a requirement in the workplace and is made up of reports, orders, and directives. These forms of communication are generally used when people need to get things done and follow a set of rules and regulations.
Written business communication
There are many types of written business communication. In general, business writing is intended to elicit a response from the reader. To accomplish this, it must be substantive, accurate, and easily scannable. There are several essential characteristics of written business communications and there are ten C’s that every piece should possess. These characteristics include completeness, correctness, credibility, conversation, and concreteness. In addition, written business communication should be persuasive, yet clear and concise.
Instructional writing provides step-by-step instructions for a specific task. It’s often direct and may contain bullet points or follow a logical order. Examples of instructional business writing include job description handbooks, technical specifications, and memos. Instructional business writing is usually clear and follows a chronological order. Instructional business writing is often more detailed and informative, and it may include further details for the reader. It’s important to note that this type of writing can also be persuasive.
Horizontal business communication
When people in the same organization communicate, the result is horizontal business communication. This type of communication encourages employees to work together and share information without worrying about hierarchy or control. Horizontal communication is often beneficial, but it can also slow down productivity when it goes wrong. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of horizontal communication before adopting it for your business. Let’s look at three of the disadvantages of this form of communication.
Horizontal communication is a form of internal communication in which information is circulated across all departments within an organization. It allows employees to speak directly with the people responsible for resolving their problems and issues. It is faster than other modes of communication, and it involves an informal manner of communication. Horizontal communication also promotes a sense of teamwork and is useful in an expanding organization. To understand the pros and cons of horizontal communication, you must know how to define it.
