Communication Channel:
A communication
channel is a particular type
of media through which a message is sent and received. In other words, it's the
method of communication used. The communication channels can flow down from
superiors to subordinates, up from subordinates to superiors, or across from
and to co-workers of the same hierarchical level of authority.
Types of Channels
Organizations have several types of
communication channels available for people to communicate with each other.
Verbal communication is spoken communication. This is one of the oldest forms of
communication and one of the most used channels in day-to-day activities. It
can be a rather informal form of communication, and no records of the
communication are typically kept unless the communication is recorded. Examples
include talking around the water cooler, team meetings, and live presentations.
Written communication - Written communication is another widely used channel of
communication in an organization. It includes any communication done with the
written word, including letters, memos, and even a simple note scratched out on
a napkin. Written communication is a much more formal channel of communication,
which permits you time to think and process your message, revise your message
before sending it, and archive the message for use later. It can be an
impersonal means of communicating.
Nonverbal communication - You can actually communicate without saying.
The Working of a Communication
Channel
Through
a modem of communication, be it face-to-face conversations or an
inter-department memo, information is transmitted from manager to a subordinate
or vice versa.In this mechanism,
employees inform managers that they have understood the task at hand while
managers provide employees with comments and directions on employee's work.
Importance of a Communication Channel
A
breakdown in the communication channel leads to an inefficient flow of
information. Employees are unaware of what the company expects of them. They
are uninformed of what is going on in the company.
This
will cause them to become suspicious of motives and any changes in the company.
Also without effective communication, employees become department minded rather
than company minded, and this affects their decision making and productivity in
the workplace.
Types of Communication Channels
The
number of communication channels available to a manager has increased over the
last 20 odd years. Video conferencing, mobile technology, electronic bulletin
boards and fax machines are some of the new possibilities.
As
organizations grow in size, managers cannot rely on face-to-face communication
alone to get their message across.
A
challenge the managers face today is to determine what type of communication
channel should they opt for in order to carryout effective communication.
In order
to make a manager's task easier, the types of communication channels are
grouped into three main groups: formal, informal and unofficial.
Formal Communication Channels
·
A formal communication
channel transmits information such as the goals, policies and procedures of an
organization. Messages in this type of communication channel follow a chain of
command. This means information flows from a manager to his subordinates and
they in turn pass on the information to the next level of staff.
·
A business plan,
customer satisfaction survey, annual reports, employer's manual, review
meetings are all formal communication channels.
Informal Communication Channels
·
Within a formal
working environment, there always exists an informal communication network. The
strict hierarchical web of communication cannot function efficiently on its own
and hence there exists a communication channel outside of this web. While this
type of communication channel may disrupt the chain of command, a good manager
needs to find the fine balance between the formal and informal communication
channel.
·
An example of an informal
communication channel is lunchtime at the organization's cafeteria/canteen.
Here, in a relaxed atmosphere, discussions among employees are encouraged. Also
managers walking around, adopting a hands-on approach to handling employee
queries is an example of an informal communication channel.
Unofficial Communication Channels
·
Good managers will
recognize the fact that sometimes communication that takes place within an
organization is interpersonal. While minutes of a meeting may be a topic of
discussion among employees, sports, politics and TV shows also share the floor.
The unofficial communication channel in an
organization is the organization's 'grapevine.' It is through the grapevine
that rumors circulate
