Corporate

Communication
Mid term exam prep
Key Topics

• Basic communication process

• Purpose of communication at workplace
• Types of communication
• Elements of communication
What is communication

Definition: The Communication is a two-way process wherein the information, ideas,

opinions, thoughts, feelings, etc. are transmitted between the individuals through the
use of mutually understood symbols and semiotic rules (signs and symbols)

The communication is the important factor for the commercial success of any business.
The organizational Hierarchy also decides the type of channel through which the
communication passes. On the basis of the status of individuals involved in the
communication process and the urgency of the message to be sent, the
communication channels can be categorized as:
1. Formal Communication
2. Informal Communication
Types of communication

Further, there are several forms of communication that the individuals use to give
some pattern or expression to their messages such that it is easily understood by all.
The most common types of communication are:
Types of communication

Verbal Communication, wherein you speak your subject matter, and others listen to it
carefully and try to associate meaning with it.

Nonverbal Communication, wherein the others observe you and try to confer a

meaning to it.

Written Communication wherein you write your message and others read it to derive
meaning out of it.

Deciding on the types of communication to be used in the business context is quite

tedious. The organization must consider the following set of questions before finalizing
the communication:

Who are the intended recipients?

What message is to be communicated?
What is the time constraint?
How much budget is sanctioned for such activity?
What messages are often communicated? And what was their impact on the audience?
Hence, which form of communication shall be selected depends on the type of
message to be transmitted and the personal preferences of the parties involved in the
communication.
Types of communication
Verbal communication

Verbal communication
Verbal communication is the expression or exchange of information or messages
through written or oral words. Forms of verbal communication are as follows:

Oral communication: Oral communication is the process of communication in

which messages or information is exchanged or communicated within sender and
receiver through the word of mouth. It can be divided into two ways: a. Speaking
b. Listening.

Written communication: Written communication is the process of

communication in which messages or information is exchanged or communicated
within sender and receiver through written form. It can be divided into two ways:
a. Writing b. Reading.
Non-verbal communication

Nonverbal communication is the expression or exchange of information or

messages through without using any spoken or written word. Some of the forms
of non-verbal communications are as follows:

Facial expression
Gestures
Body language
Proximity
Touch
Appearance
Silence
Paralinguistic
Eye Gaze or eye contact etc.
Types of communication…contd
7 C’s of Communication
Purpose of communication

Without effective communication, all other

leadership skills do not matter. Leaders must
communicate effectively with employees to
ensure work groups remain aligned with
corporate and departmental strategies. Too
often, leaders have poor listening skills and send
unclear messages to their employees. Both
parties frequently misunderstand each other
and tend to disregard what each is trying to say.
Every organization needs to have leaders in
place who can effectively use the basic skill of
communication.
Communication Cycle
Communication Tools
Formal Informal

Text
Emails Report
Social
network apps
Notice Proposal

Memos
Formal vs Informal
Corporate communication – Responsibility vs Authority

If there is an incident, the person in charge of communication has the responsibility to insulate
the organization. Being responsible, a holding statement is to be published that is based on
facts and invites no further question. If this keeps happening for an un-supported facts, this is
called Propaganda. In this case, it is important to engage the people who is doing it. Recording
of communication is very important.
Any communication needs to be honest, two way, open minded & trust worthy. Drawing a line
in between privacy & safety is important. It is also very important to understand the difference
between transparency & confidentiality. This process of understanding and implementing
these is called reputation management.
How we respond to an incident/communication is very important as we need to properly report
without reacting.
Joseph Goebbels was the master of Propaganda. Spreading nuisance facts repeatedly is the key
to master this art.
Proactive response is very important to deter against this sort of nuisance.
External Communication

The communication that is occurred among the organizations is called the external
communication. Every organization is required to maintain a relation with other
organizations or people with a view to achieving goals. So, when a business organization
exchanges information with other business organizations, government offices, banks,
insurance companies, customers, suppliers, leaders and general people and so on, it is
known as external communication. External communication covers how a provider interacts
with those outside their own organization.
The goals of external communication are to facilitate cooperation with groups such as
suppliers, investors and stockholders and to present a favorable image of an organization and
its products or services to potential and actual customers and to society at large. A variety of
channels may be sued for external communication, including face-to-face meetings, print or
broadcast media and electronic communication technologies such as the internet.
 Objective of External Communication
External communication occurring in any form outside the boundary of a business organization is called
external communication. The objectives of an ideal external communication are as follows:

1.Community relations: Every business organization has to maintain a relation with the common people of the
society so as to achieve the organizational goals. External communication helps to keep a link with the people.
2.Collection of information: The main objective of external communication is to collect the information from
outside the organization.
3.Contracts with customers: Every organization should know the taste, liking and disliking of its customers to
increase the sale of its products or services. So, external communication is necessary to contract with
customers.
4.Relations with suppliers: Every organization has many suppliers form that it collects raw material or finished
goods to run the business. So there must be a good relation between the firm and its suppliers.
5.Relation with financial institutions: One of the most important objectives of external communication is to
keep a link with banks, insurance and other financial institutions.
6.Relation with government: Every organization should obey the rules and regulations of the government. So,
through external communication it can keep the relation with government agencies.
7.Shareholder relation: Shareholders are the owners of the company. The board of directors is liable to inform
all the business affairs to the shareholders. External communication is a must in this regard.
8.Others: (a) to keep the relation with regulatory bodies (b) To keep the images of the company (c) To keep the
international relations etc.
Tools of External Communication

 1. Website content and blogging

 2. Live events and conferences
 3. Email and newsletters
 4. Social media
 5. Press releases
Internal Communication

Perspectives on Internal Communications. From a theoretical perspective, internal

communications is the proprietary means by which a business communicates with its
employees to ensure strategic goals are identified and met. Internal communications is quite
similar to external communications.

Internal communication is the transmission of information within an organization. Internal

communication is a lifeline of a business. It occurs between an employer and an employee.
It is communication among employees. Internal communication is the sharing of the
information, knowledge, ideas, and beliefs between the members of the company.
Internal communication can be formal or informal. It depends upon the persons to which we
are communicating. We use informal or not so formal language with our colleagues. The
language used while communicating the head of the company is formal.
 Purpose of Internal Communication
 Business strategy overviews
 Company updates
 Performance or progress
 Formal announcements
 Company-wide accolades, awards, or recognition

Importance of Internal communication

 It Builds Relationships
 Facilitates Innovation
 Builds an Efficient Team
 Helps in Managing Employees Effectively
 It Contributes to the Growth of Your Organization
 It Ensures Transparency
 Internal Communication Plays a Pivotal Role in a Crisis
 It Helps in Maintaining an Improved Work Environment
 Inefficient Communication Can Actually Distort Information
 It Enriches the Lives of the Employees
 Business strategy overviews
 Company updates
 Performance or progress
 Formal announcements
 Company-wide accolades, awards, or recognition
Types of Internal Communication

 Group meetings.
 Company blogs.
 Employee training within an organization.
 Personal meetings.
 Telephonic conversation between employees.
 Inquiry of employee.
 E-mails within an organization.
 Staff communication.
 Company newsletter.
Communication

Communication

Sensitivity Creditability Integrity Responsibility

Transparency

Confidentiality
Definition
Corporate Communication
Corporate communication is the practice of developing, cultivating and maintaining
a corporate identity or brand image. A solid corporate communications team provides
initiatives to mold company image, communicate with internal and external audiences, and
sustain a long-term positive reputation.
Holding Statement
The Holding Statement is the initial statement designed to help control the message to the
public immediately following an incident. Notes: This is an initial statement that states the
basic facts of an incident and lets people know you are actively dealing with the crisis
situation.
Stakeholder
A stakeholder is a party that has an interest in a company and can either affect or be affected
by the business. The primary stakeholders in a typical corporation are its investors,
employees, customers and suppliers. However, the modern theory of the idea goes beyond
this original notion to include additional stakeholders such as a community, government or
trade association.
Safety
Safety means keeping yourself and others free from harm or danger. It means taking care not
to fall or bump or run into things. It also means to avoid accidents by being careful with what
you are doing
Privacy
Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about
themselves, and thereby express themselves selectively.
Definition
Transparency
Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in
other social contexts, is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions
are performed. Transparency implies openness, communication, and accountability.
Transparency is practiced in companies, organizations, administrations, and communities. For
example, a cashier making change after a point of sale transaction by offering a record of the
items purchased (e.g., a receipt) as well as counting out the customer's change on the
counter demonstrates one type of transparency.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality involves a set of rules or a promise usually executed through confidentiality
agreements that limits access or places restrictions on certain types of information.