Business Communication Essay

This chapter details the communication skills required for a merchandiser. Initially, the chapter explains details pertinent to communication, its process and elements. Then the difference between communication and business communication is discussed. The objectives and importance of business communication is explained. The types of communication are highlighted. The principles of good communication are explained. The chapter also explains the barriers in communication and the ways to overcome that. The communication skills expected for a merchandiser including e-mail etiquette is discussed in detail. Few cases are discussed to highlight the importance of communication for a merchandiser. Finally, the various ways to improve communication for

American Management Association defines, ‘Communication is any behaviour that results in an exchange of meaning’.

D.E. McFarland defines communication as, “Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specially, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings.”

Keith Davis states that, Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another.

The above references to communication explain clearly that communication is anything that helps in transferring information and conveys meaning to the person receiving the information. Communication plays a greater role in day to day life as we use different ways and modes of communication to convey what we think or what we know to others. Communication may fail if the person who has to receive the information doesn’t receive it the way it was intended. So care has to be taken to communicate without error. The sole purpose of communication will be in vain if the intended person doesn’t understand what was communicated to him. There are different forms of communication existing like general communication, inter personal communication, business communication, intellectual communication, technical communication, etc. In these forms, business communication

Getting accurate information for taking decisions is only possible when communication is proper. The decision maker should be aware of all the positives and negatives of taking a decision and that is possible only when there is good communication.

Enables cooperation and coordination: Effective communication leads to better cooperation and coordination between all the people in the organisation. The manager will be able to talk to the worker only when communication is proper. It will enable the management to know the needs and wants of workers and also the workers will know the strategic objectives of the company and work with a concerted effort in achieving those objectives.

Helps in proper delegation of duties to subordinates and workers: Only when there is good communication, it will be possible to allocate duties to the subordinates and workers easily and promptly. Time delays will be avoided. The workers and subordinates can be delegated with the work to be done and they can also be educated by proper communication about the requirements from them in completing the work. The schedule can be informed to them so that they can manage and complete the work well ahead of time. All these are possible only when there is proper communication between the manager and his