7 Different Types of Managerial Communication are described below:
Communication is a means by which people are linked together in an organization to achieve a common purpose. No group activity is possible without communication.
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In organizations, managers need to be skilled both at his job and communicative ability since the lack of the latter will not help them to build a proper chain of authority and improve relationship with fellow employees.
We must also appreciate that interpersonal communication and organizational communication are different in nature. However, interpersonal communication skill is the base. It helps managers to be able to communicate well in the organization adopting some common frame of reference, assessing individuals and also by building relationships.
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In all communication, we not only transfer information and also provide behavioural inputs. Hence, organizational communication is considered as a unified activity, making the process productive to achieve some specific goals.
Organizational communication provides social inputs into a social (organizational) system, by which managers try to modify the behaviour to effect change. High integrity of the sender and consistency in verbal and non-verbal messages increase the chance of acceptance of communication by the receiver.
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In organization, internally, managers communicate at different hierarchical levels, groups, departments and, externally, to customers, suppliers and other external stakeholders. In all such communications, managers must be efficient. Oral communication skill is very important for managers. This type of communication is different from the other types. When a manager gives oral presentation, it is important for him to understand the purpose and the audience and then frame the style of delivery.
Thus organizational communication is basically intended to influence action in a positive way, so as to achieve organizational goals. We can list such purposes of organization as under:
i. To establish the objectives
ii. To establish a link between plans and actions
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iii. To organize human resource so that the goals can be achieved
iv. To create a climate conducive to lead, direct and motivate people
v. To enforce effective control
The organizational model has been explained in the following figure:
Types of Organizational Communication:
In organization, we make use of various types of communication. Although it is difficult to draw a fine line between organizational communication types, a general understanding at least will enable managers to adopt the right approach. To take an example, a business communication approach is different from a communication, which is intended for team building. Depending on the organizational requirements, managers make use of different types of communication. Such types are:
1. Business Communications:
It includes all communication, which managers need to do in the business context. Effective business communication requires both the understanding of business and the style of communication. Use of common business English and the style of business correspondence are important requisites.
This apart, organizations while doing business communication also require to focus on psychological, sociological, special effects design, management, marketing and information technology aspects.
2. Managerial Communications:
Managerial communication emphasizes the achievement of specific organizational objectives by adopting suitable communication strategies. To take an example, in disciplining an earring worker, who is otherwise a good performer, may require the organization to develop a warning letter, without hurting the sentiments but arguing logically, to sensitize the conscience of the worker. Similarly, a letter to a payment-defaulting customer, who otherwise had a good track record of meeting payment commitments, requires us to be more strategic in communication.
Organizational communications are made with an established communication networks and the communication flow within an organization, nurturing an organizational climate. Suitable strategy for organizational communication ensures transparency and makes people adaptable to a particular communication culture. It also streamlines communication systems within the organization.
3. Human Relations and Team Building:
These types of communications in organizations are intended to harmonize interpersonal relations. Interpersonal communications do not limit only with the co-workers; it even extends to customer relations. Hence, effectiveness of this type of communication requires us in understanding the fundamentals of behavioural dynamics of people like, differences in perception, differences in the nature of motivation, common behavioural strategies, establishing rapport, developing mutual respect and reaching consensus.
4. Sales Communication:
Sales communications are designed to achieve sales objectives and encompass advertising, telephone etiquette, face-to-face communication. Without effective sales communication, organizations cannot improve its top-line. Hence, developing a sales communication that elicits positive response from the target customers is an art. Marketing managers get special training on sales communication to make their efforts more result oriented.
5. Report Writing:
This type of communication focuses on written reports, more analytic in nature. A company’s product literature design, standard operating procedures, policy manuals and customers’ information brochures are all developed in report-writing style. Since this report clarifies queries, which may be raised by the users, it has to be written in simple and understandable language.
6. Communication Technology and Electronic Communication:
IT-enabled communication systems or electronic communication mode has drastically changed with the advancement of technology. E-business now facilitates better customer reach, cutting across the national boundary. With the increasing spate of computerization, organizations worldwide now make use of this communication mode to spread their customer reach.
7. International Communication:
International communication requires customization of communication system of an organization, duly accounting the cultural differences. With globalization, organizations now require to match with the cross-cultural expectations and behaviour of people while entering into verbal and non-verbal communication with their international clients.
The specific communication type that is suitable in a particular case depends on organizational choice, keeping in view the intent or the purpose. Thus, managers should be professional in their communication, acquiring requisite technical skills; or else, poor communication will cost organization heavily, rendering them inefficient to respond to the needs and expectations of various stakeholders.