The communication process
Communication is the passing of information from a sender to a receiver. A message travels through a medium (such as email, a letter or speech), and the receiver sends back feedback to show it was understood.
Key idea
Sender → message → medium → receiver → feedback. Without feedback the sender cannot be sure the message was understood.
Internal and external
Internal communication is between people within the same business, such as a manager and workers. External communication is between the business and outside groups, such as customers, suppliers or the government.
- One-way communication gives no chance for a reply.
- Two-way communication allows the receiver to respond, which encourages feedback.
Methods and barriers
Businesses choose a method to suit the message: verbal (meetings, phone), written (email, reports) or visual (charts, diagrams). Written methods give a permanent record; verbal methods allow instant feedback.
Remember
- A communication barrier is anything that stops a message being received or understood, such as noise, technical language, or a broken email system.
- Poor communication can waste time, cause mistakes and lower motivation.
Good communication helps a business run smoothly, keeps staff informed and improves relationships with customers.