We live in a society which
needs communication for better arrangements and understanding of one another.
For to communicate we find out tools which help us to communicate better. So it is
important to be aware of the different types of communication medium available
to you to communicate effectively. A communication medium is merely
"how" your message is sent to the receiver. It is often referred to
as the communication channel.
It's critical to realize that whenever you
are communicating with any stakeholder that the medium you use to communicate
your message is just as important as the message itself. Choosing the right
types of communication medium is first and most about understanding your
ambition with the communication. If you use the wrong medium, your message may
never get through to the receiver or may be misunderstood.
When deciding which of the communication
mediums would be
best for your message, you should take into consideration the following
factors;
a. The Purpose of the Communication
b. The Receiver
c. The Type of Information
Types of
Communication Media
Now take a look at some of the different
types of communication
media available to communicate our
message.
Face-to-Face Communication
 |
| Face-to-Face Communication |
Face-to-face communication is any type of
verbal or non-verbal communication where you are in the same physical location
as the receiver carrying social interaction without any mediating technology. It
is one of the basic elements of the social
system, forming a significant part of individual socialization and experience gaining throughout
one's life time. Similarly it is
also central to the organization and development of various groups and
organizations composed of those individuals.
Face-to-face communication is very powerful.
You can communicate verbally with the words you speak as well as non-verbally
through body language. It also allows you to get immediate feedback from the
receiver so you can adjust how you are delivering your message if necessary. Despite the advent of many new information and communication
technologies, face-to-face interaction is still widespread and popular. It is implied
that face-to-face communication is the gold standard of communication, as it is described as the most
efficient and informational one. It has
been noted that face-to-face communication is the most useful form of
verbal communication when the sender wants to persuade or motivate the
receiver. In most of the cases it is still considered the preferred method for
resolving problems and contentious issues and also found helpful and the best
form of teaching.
Some examples of face-to-face communication
include informal hallway chats, project meetings, annual performance reviews,
and job interviews.
Two-Way Remote Communication
 |
| Cell Phone |
Two-way remote communication is when you and
the receiver are not in the same physical spaces but are able to receive
real-time feedback from each other. Although you are able to receive immediate
feedback from the receiver, the feedback is usually limited compared to
face-to-face communication.
Some examples of two-way remote communication
include video conferencing, teleconferencing, cell phone calls, SMS (i.e.
texting) and walkie-talkie conversations.
Written Communication
 |
| Written Communication |
Written communication is any type of
communication that involves the written word. This can involve both formal and
informal communications. A key distinction between written communication and
face-to-face communication is that feedback from the receiver may not be
immediate. Although most of us consider ourselves honest
and ethical, we're all human and can forget things we've said or misunderstood
things we've heard. One of the major benefits of written communication is that
it can be used to document what has been said or agreed to. It also can be used
to clarify ideas to avoid misunderstandings. Some examples of written communication
include letters, email, contracts, SMS, reports and intranet content.
Telephone
Land or mobile telephones have taken up the
communication slack in businesses where distance and travel prevent
face-to-face conversation. The telephone still allows immediate interaction
between two parties in the communication. Mobile phones also expand your
ability to communicate with people over distance. The lack of nonverbal or
facial expressions removes those elements from the message. This can inhibit
the ability to interpret the context or emotion of a message sender. The phone
is also less personal than a face-to-face meeting.
Social Media Communication
 |
| Social Media Icons |
Social media refers to the means of
interactions among people in which they create, share, and/or exchange
information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Social media has become
a very common form of communication. It combines characteristics of some of the
other forms of communication such as written communication and two-way remote
communication. It allows for real-time feedback with a written record of what
has been communicated. What makes social media so powerful is the way it
enables team collaboration. Examples of social media communication
include instant messaging, Microsoft SharePoint, Facebook, LinkedIn, wikis and
Twitter. Many of the web-based tools are also considered to be social media
tools since they enable better collaboration.
E-mail
E-mail is a vital communication channel for
people who want to communicate with their relatives, employees or organizations
which are geographically dispersed. E-mail allows for more flexible response
times. You can send a message one day and receive a response in a few hours or
the next day. It allows for conversation that isn't time-pressured, but can
serve for fast turnaround times. It also allows for the inclusion of files, such
as documents or images. E-mail is less personal than either face-to-face or
phone. The missing context of the message may lead to misunderstandings or
misinterpreted messages.
One-Way Audio and Video Communication
 |
| Video Conferencing |
Another type of communication medium is one-way
audio and video. With this type of communication you are recording your message
to be listened to or viewed by your receiver at some time of their choosing. Examples include voicemail, podcasts and
YouTube videos. Podcasts and videos are excellent for sharing information,
especially for teaching purposes. You can present a lot of information that the
receiver can go over at their convenience and as many times as they like.
Many companies maintain internal and external
discussion forums through catalogs and websites. These carry files and other
resources available to participants and allow them to engage in company-wide or
small-group discussions about suggestions, problems and solutions on a wide
range of topics. Forums offer a low-pressure way to present ideas and feedback.
They allow the company to gain insights in a non-confrontational way. Lack of
personal connectivity and the potential for anonymous postings are drawbacks.
Similarly, delays can occur between comments and responses.
Conclusion
Strategically choosing the specific types of communication medium you use to get your messages across will help you successfully
manage your projects. Always consider the purpose of your communication, the
receiver of the message, and the type of information you are communicating when
determining the best
communication media for your
message.
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