The term Communication is derived from the Latin word Communis which means Common.
The Oxford Dictionary defines communication as the action of exchanging information or ideas. According to George Terry, Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons.
We can say that communication is a process of giving or exchanging information, signals, or messages through talk, gestures, or writing. It is a bridge of interaction among people. By using this bridge of communication, a person can safely cross the river of misinformation. well! Now we have a look at the importance of effective communication.
What is Effective Communication?
You want to know what effective communication is and how we can adopt it in our daily life. Communication becomes effective when others understand our ideas and concepts. It also means to understand the motive behind the information provided. It involves the process that you not only convey your message to others but also you listen attentively to what others say to you.
Sometimes misunderstanding, frustration, and conflict rises when we do not convey properly or we say something other while the other person listens to something other. This may create problems in your home, institution, or at an organization. For effective communication, we need to learn communication skills. Let’s have a look at the importance of effective communication.
Importance of Effective Communication
Communication is the lifeblood of a business organization. No organization can succeed or progress, build up a reputation, and win friends and customers without effective communication skills. Communication is considered effective when it brings the desired response from the receiver to the sender.
Good communication results in saving time, reducing mistakes and promoting the objectives of any organization. On the contrary, poor communication defeats these objectives. Now if you want to make your communication effective, Here are some tips or important aspects helpful in making you away from miscommunication or poor communication.
Smooth Working of a Business Firm
Effective communication is necessary for the successful and Smooth working of a business firm. A manager properly links up various elements to achieve his targets.
Helps in Management
Effective communication helps in planning different programmes and controlling the activities of individuals and departments.
Always Quick Decision
Quick decision-making and its implementation depend upon the powerful phenomenon of effective communication.
Maximum Production at Minimum Cost
Every organization wants to get maximum output at the minimum cost. It requires an effective internal communication system.
Building Human Relation
Communication is a two-way traffic which helps to promote cooperation and natural understanding between the partners of an organization. Thus it helps in building good human relations.
The Lifeblood of an Organization
Communication is the lifeblood of an organization. Without communication, an organization is lifeless and its existence is in danger.
External Parties and Effective Communication
Communication is essential not only for the internal management of the organization but also helps to contacting the outside world. Such contacts increase the goodwill of the firm. External parties can be attracted by effective business communication.
Flow of Communication
Business communication is a process of exchanging information for the purpose of conducting, expanding and promoting business. The best way to study the importance of communication is to observe the directions in which it flows within or outside an organization.
Internal Communication
An exchange of information within an organization is called internal communication, There are two patterns of internal communication. These are:
i) Formal Communication Channels
ii) Informal Communication Channels
i. Formal Communication Channels
Within the formal communication channels, the information may travel downward, upward and horizontally.
a. Downward Communication
When a Manager passes information to a subordinate, communication is flowing downward. The message may be conveyed orally to a group through a meeting, workshop or written memo etc.
b. Upward Communication
Upward communication is as important as downward communication. Since an executive cannot be everywhere at once, he depends on lower-level employees to give him timely reports.
c. Horizontal Conununication
In addition to transmitting messages up and down the organization, the formal communication network also carries messages horizontally from one department to another.
ii. Informal Communication Channels
Every organization has one informal communication network. This is known as the grapevine. For instance, when people go about their work, they have casual interactions with their friends in the office. They joke and discuss many things like sports, movies, their families etc. Although many of these conversations deal with personal matters, business is often discussed as well.
Ways of Internal Communication
There are various ways of internal communication. These are memos, reports, meetings, face-to-face discussions, teleconferences and e-mails etc.
External Communication
Communication that takes place outside the organization is called external communication. It helps to create a good reputation among other organizations and people.
Ways of External Communication
External communication can be made through letters, proposals, telephone calls, pamphlets, annual reports etc.
Importance of Communication for an Individual
The way you communicate effectively orally as well as in writing,it means you have a high valued skill. Business executives get ranks by the ability of communication first among the personal factors necessary for promotion.
Communicating effectively in speaking and writing is essential in all areas of business, including management, technical, clerical, and social positions. In the present era, the phenomenal growth of international trade creates the need for you to understand intercultural communication also.
The ability to communicate well has always given advantages to those who possess it. Communication has a rich history, and its traditions can still be seen in modern-day communication concepts. Your job promotion and professional reputation often depend on doing well in written and oral communication.
Also, your ability to communicate is a valuable asset for many activities in your personal life. If your career requires mainly mental rather than manual labour, your progress will be strongly influenced by how effectively you communicate your knowledge, proposals and ideas to others who need or should receive them.
Strong communication skills are found in the job descriptions listed by numerous companies’ advertising positions. Communication is a primary responsibility in many careers, such as customer relations, labour relations„ marketing, personnel, public relations, sales, and teaching.
Also technical and scientific fields need editors, produéers; researchers, and writers. Advancements can be made to management, research, training, and consulting positions. Many surveys and articles confirm the idea that effective communication is essential for success and promotion in business.
Top-level executives, middle managers, and university business graduates repeatedly assert that business communication, business letter and report writing, and written and oral expression are the basic skills that influence the advancement to executive positions.
Challenges of Communication in the International Marketplace
In the Global Market, The way you communicate both within and outside your own country will affect everything you accomplish. Your ability to speak and write effectively will also make a difference to your organization. Developing the right attitude and preparing adequately is crucial to effective communication In the international marketplace.
These characteristics will help you to be effective in dealing with international business people outside your organization. In addition, becoming flexible in attitude and methods of communicating will help you to be effective in dealing with issues within your organization.
Final Thoughts
No one can deny the importance of effective communication in every sphere of life. Communication is everywhere because all the livings including human beings, birds, animals, and even insects communicate in any way. It means to transfer your ideas, thoughts, and feelings to others through means of communication so far.
Effective communication is the nucleus of all human activities as well as business entities. No success and progress is possible without effective communication. All the business relationships and customers’ attention is possible by effective communication skills.
The process of effective communication is incomplete if the sender doesn’t receive desired results from the receiver. It saves time and by reducing mistakes, it promotes the objectives of any organization.
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