Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MODULE NO.4
I.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE TOPIC
I. Communication in Business and
Compare and contrast personal and organization
business letters A. Personal vs Business letters
B. Characteristics and elements of
Enumerate tips on how business managers business letters
communicate with their employees and
clients/customers.
I. DISCUSSION
The way we communicate with others is indeed a habitual part of us that we rarely recognize or even
think about it. This translates into business communication too. Organizations, after all aren’t faceless
entities but groups of real people.
Effective communication is the key to success in business. It affects processes, efficiency, and every
level of a company. Thus, business depends so much on it. It is how employees and management interact
to reach organizational goals. Its purpose is to improve organizational practices and reduce errors.
Communication in business in business is a two-way process that follows the common communication
process of sending and receiving messages. However, business communication differs on the medium
for it uses paper, pen, typewriter, or computer to make the message tangible to the receiver.
All organized activity in a company relies on the process of business communication. This could be
anything from managerial communication to technical communication with the vendors
Business communication is the process of sharing information between people within and outside a
company.
§ Upward
Any communication that comes from a subordinate to a manager. Or from a person up the
organizational hierarchy.
§ Downward/Managerial
Anything that comes from a superior to a subordinate.
§ Lateral/Technical
Any internal or cross-departmental communication between co-workers
External communication is any messaging that leaves your office and internal staff. It involves
dealing with customers, vendors, or anything that impacts your brand.
You can sort all communication into four types of business communication.
3. Giving feedback, correction, and discipline to people who report to you so that they can
have the knowledge and the tools that they need to do their jobs better.
Giving great, actionable feedback is a key for anyone in a leadership position. Non-verbal
communication and body language also play a role here.
When business communication happens in real world, it’s verbal or written. More often than not,
communication takes place either in person/face-to-face or remotely.
Neither of these are better or worse for your company on their own and entirely depends on the
context.
Written communication is great for keeping a paper trail of decisions and actions made as well as
for putting together strategies and plans in place. Verbal interaction enables instant idea generation
and a more open flow of thoughts.
Communication in Organization
An organization is comprised of people who are committed to a common goal and are ready to
share information and resources in pursuit of a desired goal. (Rosales, et al., 2009).
Communication in organization is relaying messages or information between or among people
inside and outside an organization.
There are several written documents needed to run an organization. Every single document has
one or more of the three basic functions of organizational writing which is to inform, to promote
goodwill, or to persuade.
To inform
Basic functions
Of
Communication
There are two basic structures that make up the communication channels of an organization:
1. Formal channel of communication follows the usual pattern of an organizational chart where the
superiors are classified from the subordinates through connecting the lines of communication to
every member of the organization.
Despite the numerous changes on how people communicate, traditional letter writing remains the
best way to communicate among people.
There are two basic kinds of letter, the personal and the business letters. The different from each
other in terms of nature, purpose, scope, structure, formality, size and language.
Personal Letters
Personal letter is a written type of communication of an individual to another concerning personal or
family affairs rather than business matters. This kind of letter does not follow certain rules or
structures and uses a less formal wording or colloquial language. An example of a personal letter is
a birthday greeting given to someone whom we know personally who is celebrating his special day.
Personal letter maintains and develops personal relationships with people whom you consider a
friend or a family. This type of letter can be type-written or handwritten depending on the length of
the content.
Business Letters
Business letter is a formal type of written letter concerning business related issues and information.
This kind of letter must adhere to certain rules, restrictions, and formats and must use a formal
language. In addition, an effective business letter should sound like a person talking to another
person. An example of this issues an application letter written by an applicant who is interested in a
vacant job. This kind of letter must be neatly and meticulously written in order to build a good
impression to the reader.
Whether you are writing a personal or a business letter, the way you construct the message and the
way the receiver decodes the message are very important.
Compare:
Compare:
Positive: Thank you for your order. The merchandise will go out to you as soon
as…
Negative: We regret to inform you that we will not be able to ship you your order
until…
Some phrases have a built-in smile. Here are some friendly phrases that you can and should
use freely:
Business letter is one of the vital components in the success of business. To ensure
that we are writing an effective business letter, consider the “Ten Cs” letter writing.
1. Completeness
Refers to the inclusion of complete information. The business letter should answer the question
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE AND HOW to produce a good and complete business letter.
To attain correctness, double check the spelling of the names, address letters properly, verify
numbers and amounts, always check the dictionary.
3. Conciseness
Refers to being direct and brief without compromising the complete idea.
Example:
4. Coherence
Refers to the smooth flow of ideas in a business letter
5. Clarity
Refers to the readability of information which is easy to understand.
6. Concreteness
Refers to the use of specific words not general words.
Example:
7. Courteousness
Refers to the politeness of the tone of the business letter. Showing positive approach is the key
for a successful communication I business.
8. Consideration
Refers to the use of professional tone to show respect to the reader of the letter;
the “You” attitude in writing a letter.
Example:
Instead of saying:
Say:
You will be pleased to find must-try services in our branch near you.
9. Consistency
Refers to the uniformity of the time and style of the writer.
10. Credibility – refers to the personality of the writer as himself which might reflect in his writings.
Because business letter is part of communication, it also follows the communication process. There
are three elements in the communication process that are also present in business writing.
1. The Sender
One who writes the letter. It is one of the protocols in business writing that the receiver of the
letter should be known by the sender. The complete name, position, as well as the address of
the receiver should be included in the letter. The sender or writer must be also knowledgeable in
basic grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics skills so that he might build a good
impression to the receiver of the letter.
2. The Message
The reason that moves the sender to start the communication process. It should be well-written,
simple and understandable. It should be direct and persuasive and should avoid including
unnecessary information. It should be concise and complete so that everything you want to say
is included.
Sender Message
Receiver
3. The Receiver
Recipient of the letter and carefully decode the message of a business letter and provide
feedback that will complete the entire communication process.
REFERENCES
1. Technical Writing for Success – Darlene Smith Worthington
2. Writing in the Discipline – Chenita P. Dapito et al
3. Technical Writing in the Modern World – Rebecca M. Minas et al
4. Technical Writing – Ma. Junisthesmer Rosales et al
EVALUATION
Task 1.
1. Draw a picture showing the difference between communication in business and communication in
organization. Use the boxes below.
Interview a business manager or a supervisor. Write the name and place of the interviewee, name of
the company the interviewee is connected with, and list five (5) tips on how they communicate with their
employees and clients/customers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Task 3.
Compare and contrast personal and business letters. Complete the Venn diagram below.