Types of communication in a company

31 March 2009 - 17:27

The communication plays an important role in all company, a good communication can mean efficiency, coordination and organization, whereas a bad communication can give internal origin to delays, misunderstandings and conflicts.

The types of communication within a company basically are two: the formal communication and the informal communication.

We see the concept of each of them, as well as some recommendations on the subject:

Formal communication

It is the communication where the message is originated in a member of a certain hierarchic level and goes directed to a member of a hierarchic level superior, a level inferior, or a same level; following channels established formally by the company.

This communication means such as circular, memorandos the murals, intercoms, telephones, Internet, letters, publications, information, reports, meetings, usually char them, events, etc.

Informal communication

It is the communication where the message circulates between the members of the company without accurately knowing the origin this one, and without following channels established formally by the company.

An example of this type of communication is the “rumor”, which runs of person to person, and although nobody takes responsibility of its veracity, is taken like a truth.

The rumor can be negative for the company if it creates an atmosphere of tension, expectation and uneasiness between the personnel.

For example, when changes in the personnel become, and the rumor that arises it could have massive dismissals, doing that all feel worried about their future, being created a tension climate.

The form to avoid the negative effects of the informal communication, is increasing the quality of the formal communication, for example, causing that this one last one arrives when it is necessary and at the opportune moment.

For example, in the previous case, the form to avoid the rumor of a possible massive dismissal, you had be opportunely communicating the reasons or reasons for the changes in the personnel.

Another form to do against the informal communication, is avoiding that the formal communication is so authoritarian, to the point of not leaving to capacity for the participation and the proposals of the personnel.

Nevertheless, sometimes the informal communication can be beneficial for the company, for example, when we managed to complement it with the formal communication, allowing that the message that we want to send, flows more express by the company (something that allows the informal communication more) obtaining, that way, a more effective formal communication.

Labels: Human resources

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1. The communication in a company
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4. Management of human resources in the days of crisis