How Communication Takes Place in Business (Edexcel IGCSE Business)

Method of Communication

Benefits

Limitations

Verbal

• Information is transferred quickly leading to higher efficiency
  
  
• Immediate feedback results in two-way communication
  
  
• The message is enforced by seeing the speaker, for example body language could make the message easily understood

• It may be difficult to assess if the message had been fully understood by everyone, for example in a large meeting
  
  
• Verbal communication is inappropriate for storing accurate and permanent information for some messages
  • E.g. a verbal warning

Non-verbal

• Presenting information in an appealing and attractive way encourages people to look at it
  
  
• They can be used to make a written message clearer by adding a picture or a chart to illustrate the point being made

• Feedback is limited with this method so  written or verbal feedback would also be required to check understanding of the message
  
  
• Complex charts and graphs might be difficult for some people to understand 

Written

• There is hard evidence of the message which can be referred to and help solve disputes in the future over the content of the message
  
  
• It is needed when detailed information is transferred from the sender to the receiver
  
  
• The written message can be copied and sent to many people

• Direct feedback is not always possible, unless electronic communication is used
  
  
• The language used might be difficult to understand or the message may be too long causing disinterest
  
  
• There is no opportunity for body language to be used to enforce the message

Video conferencing

• Video calls allow people in different locations to connect 
• Reduction in travel costs as fewer employees may need to travel to various locations for meetings
• Meetings can be set up relatively quickly

• Unreliable internet connections or audio/video problems can hinder effective communication
• Calls between different time zones can be difficult to organise for international firms
• The equipment can be expensive

Email

• The message can be printed if a hard copy is needed
• Written messages can be sent instantly to others, and files can be shared as attachments
• Cheap and easy method of communication

• The receiver needs an internet connection to receive the message itself
• Spam mail is a big problem for businesses, meaning messages may be blocked or filtered, preventing the receiver from reading it
• Email attachments can contain viruses, which can be costly to the business

Instant messaging & chat applications

• Instant messaging (WhatsApp, Slack) enables fast and real-time communication, making it ideal for brief exchanges or urgent matters

• Text-based communication lacks non-verbal cues, increasing the chances of misunderstandings or miscommunication