Commerce: The Communication Process

• Communication is the secret sauce of civilisation and makes us who we are
• Communication can be defined as the exchange of information, ideas, opinions and feelings
• The process of communication and it’s stages can be shown on a diagram such shown below

The Communication Model

• The above is also known as the communication model
• The communication process involves encoding of information by the sender i.e turning ideas into spoken words,
• the encoded message is then transmitted through a medium/channel such as the air, phone etc
• When the message reaches the receiver it is then decoded back into ideas
• The receiver then encodes his/her feedback back to the sender
• Feedback is when the receiver sends back information back to the sender concerning the sender’s message
• For example a manager verbally allocates a task to a subordinate
• When the subordinate completes the task they inform back to  the manager that is feedback
• Or the subordinate seeks clarification from the manager that is feedback
• Feedback ensures that the right message has been received

Classification of communication

• Communication can be classified in three ways:
  1. Media
  2. Direction within the organisation for example downward communication occurs when a superior tells a subordinate (someone who works underneath them) to do something
  3. Degree of formality i.e informal or formal communication

Media

• Refers to the means of communication.
• It is the plural of medium
• There are three forms of communication:
  1. Verbal Communication
  2. Written Communication
  3. Visual Communications

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