Communication

ACCA - F1   ACCOUNTANT  IN  BUSINESS

Communication is used to inform, misinform, counsel, sell, buy, confuse, confirm, advise, teach, learn, reveal, persuade, accept, affirm, clarify, motivate, criticize, deny and conceal.

Communication is a social interaction through messages. Message is classified as:

Ø  Verbal/Oral communication - (public speech, conversation, discussion, telephone, face to face, conference)  and non-verbal communication -(symbols, emotion, picture, written - letters, circulars, orders, reports, forms, manuals, newsletters, book)

Ø  Formal (vertical, horizontal, diagonal ) (job interview, sales counters, taking part in meeting) and Informal communication (grapevine, rumor, gossip) (Private discussion with friends, coffee shop conversation)

The communication model (Shannon and Weaver)

Sender - Encode - Channel - MESSAGE - Channel - Decode - Receiver - feedback (ensures massage is understood)

Communication means transfer of information from one party to another. Effective communication is timely flow of accurate information to right people. Different chain of communication presents in organisation. A vertical chain of communication refers to top-down or bottom-up approach, horizontal chain means communication between managers and employees of similar designation, wheel and circle chain refers to flow of information in participative and democratic culture and all channel communication is a non-formal communication. In an organisation, from sharing mission and vision of an organisation to advising, informing and regulation a simple task involves the flow of information by means of communication.

Barriers of effective communication: Encoding barriers (lack of sensitivity to receiver, lack of communication skills, insufficient knowledge of the subject, information overload, emotional interference), Transmission barriers (physical noise, medium used, conflicting message, long chain) Decoding barriers (Psychological noise/emotional distractions, Lack of interest and knowledge, communication skills, physical distraction)

7C's of overcoming communication barriers: Clarity - of information, Credibility - of source of information, Content - organised, Context - relevant, Continuity - follow up, Capability - of encoder and decoder, Channel - senses - see, hear, taste, smell and feel

Introduction to communication

ACCA Article: Communicating core values and mission