In communications, a channel is the means of passing information from a sender to a recipient. Determining the most appropriate channel, or medium, is critical to the effectiveness of communication. Channels include oral means such as telephone calls and presentations, and written modes such as reports, memos, and email.
Determining the most appropriate channel, or medium, is critical to the effectiveness of communication. Channels include oral means such as telephone calls and presentations, and written modes such as reports, memos, and email. Communication channels differ along a scale from rich to lean.
1. In-person In-person conversations are one of the most effective channels of communication in the workplace. Talking to someone in person allows you to use both verbal and nonverbal communication cues, which can help improve the quality and efficacy of your conversations.
Research shows that effective managers tend to use more information-rich communication channels than less effective managers (Allen & Griffeth, 1997; Fulk & Boyd, 1991; Yater & Orlikowski, 1992). The figure below illustrates the information richness of different information channels.
Channels vary in their information richness. Information-rich channels convey more nonverbal information. As you may be able to guess from our earlier discussion of verbal and written communications, verbal communications are richer than written ones. Research shows that effective managers tend to use more information-rich communication channels than less effective managers (Allen & Griffeth, 1997; Fulk & Boyd, 1991; Yater & Orlikowski, 1992). The figure below illustrates the information richness of different information channels.
Oral communication, however, makes more sense when the Sender is conveying a sensitive or emotional Message, needs feedback immediately, and does not need a permanent record of the conversation. Use the guide provided for deciding when to use written versus verbal communication.
The channel, or medium , used to communicate a message affects how accurately the message will be received. Verbal, written, and nonverbal communications have different strengths and weaknesses. In business, the decision to communicate verbally or in written form can be a powerful one. In addition, a smart manager is aware of the nonverbal messages conveyed by either type of communication—as noted earlier, only 7% of verbal communication comes from the words themselves.
Different communication channels are more or less effective at transmitting different kinds of information. Some types of communication are information rich while others are medium rich . In addition, communications flow in different directions within organizations. A major internal communication channel is e-mail, which is convenient but needs to be handled carefuly. External communication channels include PR/press releases, ads, Web pages, and customer communications such as letters and catalogs.
Banner ads, blogs, and advertiser-driven “click-through” areas are just a few of the elements that allow a business to deliver a Message to a Receiver online. The perceived flexibility of online communications can impart a less formal (and, therefore, more believable) quality to an external communication.
Requests are just one kind of communication in business. Other communications, both verbal or written, may seek, give, or exchange information. Research shows that frequent communications with one’s supervisor is related to better job performance ratings and overall organizational performance (Snyder & Morris, 1984; Kacmar, et. al., 2003). Research also shows that lateral communication done between peers can influence important organizational outcomes such as turnover (Krackhardt & Porter, 1986).
Verbal communications are a better way to convey feelings. Written communications do a better job of conveying facts. Picture a manager making a speech to a team of 20 employees. The manager is speaking at a normal pace. The employees appear interested.
Clear channels of communication can add value to the workplace in the following ways. They can:
Channels of communication are methods employees use in the workplace to convey information to one another. Communication depends on both verbal and non-verbal cues, as well as written documents. A large portion of communication is non-verbal, which can make certain channels more effective than others. Technology can provide many channels of communication to choose from, allowing you to connect to people across geographical barriers and share information from anywhere.
Video-conferencing platforms allow for long-distance communication and show both verbal and non-verbal cues, much like an in-person conversation does. This allows for a more personal interaction than an email or phone call. Video-conferencing platforms are excellent communication channels because they typically include other tools like cloud storage, file sharing and call recording so you can review calls for quality and training.
One of the most common communication channels in business is a phone call . A quick phone call can clear up confusion or convey new information across long distances and conference calls can allow multiple people to take part and elaborate on their perspective. Phone calls lack the non-verbal cues of in-person conversations or video-conferencing but may provide a simple, affordable communication channel for customers and employees.
Using effective communication channels can help improve a business's productivity by ensuring everyone understands the company and personal expectations and requirements. With more effective communication channels, the information on sales quotas, employee goals and production costs can be easier to share and understand. Increased productivity can lead to increased sales and higher-quality products.
Good communication in an organization can help improve relationships by reinforcing trust between employees, management and production teams. Using the right communication channels can help employees communicate accurately with one another and the management team, helping reinforce expectations and providing an opportunity for complaints or comments. Better communication between departments and employees can increase their trust in one another, building stronger professional relationships and creating a more positive company culture.
Efficient communication is important because it can help produce a higher output for minimal input. For example, if you need to send a summary of a new product to investors in another country, the most efficient way to do so might be via email or video conference, because those methods require only an internet connection. Sending a written letter or mail packet might cost money and more time than setting up a video conference. For time-sensitive information, choosing the right channel of communication is critical to meeting the time constraints and delivering accurate information.