CHANNELS OF

COMMUNICATION
PRESENTERS:
IAN FRANK B. SOMOOY
JONAMIE G. LIM
 COMMUNICATION

• Communication is central to all meaningful collaboration and teamwork.

• Communication keeps a whole organization moving.
• There are different ways we can communicate such as written
communication, verbal communication, non-verbal communication and visual
communication.
• It is important that whatever type of communication we choose, the
information needs to be conveyed effectively.
• Various modes or medium to transmit and receive the information is referred
as “communication channels”.
WHAT ARE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS?

• In an organization, information flows forward, backwards and sideways. This flow of

information is called communication.
• Communication channels refer to the way this information flows within the
organization.
• In this web known as communication, a manager becomes a link. Instructions or
decisions flow upwards, downwards or sideways, depending on the position of the
manager in the communication web.
 COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

Communication channels can be categorized into three principal

channels:
• Verbal
• Written
• non-verbal
Each of these communications channels have different strengths and
weaknesses, and oftentimes we can use more than one channel at the
same time.
 VERBAL COMMUNICATION

• Largest aspect of verbal communication: speaking and

listening.
• The source uses words to code the information and speaks to the
receiver, who then decodes the words for understanding and
meaning.
• In the workplace, the primary channel of communication is verbal,
much of this communication being used to coordinate with others,
problem solve, and build collegiality.
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

• Body Language
• Smell
• Eye Contact
• Facial Expressions
• Posture
 WRITTEN

• In contrast to verbal communications, written professional communications

are textual messages.
Examples of written communications include memos, proposals, emails, letters, training
manuals, and operating policies. They may be printed on paper, handwritten, or appear
on the screen.
• Normally, a verbal communication takes place in real time.
• Written communication, by contrast, can be constructed over a longer period of time.
• Written communication is often asynchronous (occurring at different times).
• That is, the sender can write a message that the receiver can read at any time, unlike a
conversation that transpires in real time.
 IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

• A breakdown in the communication channel leads to an inefficient flow in

information. For example, if employees are unaware of what the organization
expects of them, this could cause employees to become suspicious of motives and
changes in the company. This could negatively affect productivity in the workplace.
If productivity decreases, eventually this will harm the organization as a whole.
• Therefore, in order for an organization to run well, a good manager should be able
to effectively communicate to employees what is expected of them, make sure they
are fully aware of company policies and inform them of any upcoming changes.
This should help to optimize employee productivity and ensure that the
organization runs smoothly.
7 PRIMARY CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

1. In-person
• In-person conversations are one of the most effective channels of communication in
the workplace.
• Talking to someone in person allows you to use both verbal and nonverbal
communication cues, which can help improve the quality and efficacy of your
conversations.
• In-person is a valuable form of communication for sharing sensitive information or
information that could be confusing with the ability for a back-and-forth narrative.
 2. DOCUMENTS

Formal business documents are another common communication

channel for employees, managers and executives. These can include:
• Company and HR policy documents
• Benefits forms
• Legal guidelines
This channel of communication is often used to send benefits
information and employee handbooks to new hires.
 3. EMAILS

• Emails are important channels of communication for quick

conversations, sending or receiving attachments and contacting larger
groups of people. A short email can convey information quickly and
easily, and a longer email can cover a more complicated subject
enhanced by attachments. Emails allow for multiple recipients, so
employees can share documents with an entire team or department.
• Emails are a great way to send formal documents to employees at the
start of a new project.
4. INSTANT MESSAGING PLATFORMS

• Instant messaging platforms, message boards, allow teams to

communicate instantly and directly with one another. This type
of platform can help increase overall communication between
team members and ensure everyone in the project is kept up to
date.
• Instant messaging platforms are great for distributing timely
information quickly and to a large group of people at the same
time.
5. VIDEOCONFERENCE

• Videoconferencing platforms allow for communication that includes both

verbal and nonverbal cues, much like an in-person conversation does which
allows for a more personal interaction than an email or phone call.
Videoconferencing platforms also often include other tools like cloud
storage, file sharing and call recording so you can review calls for quality
and training.
• Videoconferencing is a great way to stay in touch with team members who
might live in different parts of the country or world and/or team members
that work from home.
6. PHONE CALLS

• Phone calls can clear up confusion or convey new information

across long distances and conference calls can allow multiple
people to take part in a conversation. Phone calls lack the
nonverbal cues of in-person conversations or videoconferencing
but may provide a simple communication channel for customers
and employees.
• Phone calls are great for impromptu one-on-one conversations or
time-sensitive communication, such as following up on a missed
deadline.
 7. SOCIAL MEDIA

• Social media platforms are a popular way to communicate and

businesses use them to stay in contact with customers, communicate
about new products and promotions and increase their overall brand
awareness. Social media allows companies to create their own pages,
attract followers and reach more people at one time than a phone call,
video conference or email chain.
• Social media platforms can be a great place to attract new customers
and also to share employee photos and post company anniversary
milestones.
 WHY ARE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION IMPORTANT IN THE
WORKPLACE?

Clear channels of communication can add value to the workplace in the following ways.
• Deliver communication in an instant or timely manner
• Ensure each member of the team receives the same information
• Increase productivity because employees know what is expected of them
• Encourage group discussion and feedback
• Provide employees with a way to voice concerns or questions
• Encourage greater team interaction
• Build stronger relationships between employees
REFERENCES

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/channels-of-communication
• https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/profcommsontario/chapter/communication-
channel