Communication is the most important part of any business, and understanding how to communicate effectively can make or break your company. In this blog article, learn about four main types of business communication – upward, downward, lateral, and external communication. Understand each type of communication and what you need to succeed!
4 Types of Business Communication
There are four types of business communication: verbal, written, electronic, and nonverbal.
Verbal communication is the most common type of business communication. This includes everything from speaking to someone face-to-face to sending an email.
Written communication includes things like letters, memos, and reports.
Electronic communication includes things like email, faxes, and phone calls.
Nonverbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. To succeed in your career, it is important to understand all four types of business communication.
What is Upward Communication?
Upward communication is a type of communication in which a person communicates positive feedback to another person to build a relationship or improve the work environment. It involves openly and honestly communicating problems and challenges so they can be addressed and resolved.
Upward communication is important in any business setting. It can help to build trust and relationships between employees and management. It can also help to resolve conflicts and disagreements.
Upward communication is typically done through verbal communication, but it can also be done through written or electronic messages. It is important to ensure that all forms of upward communication are effective and appropriate for the situation.
What is Downward Communication?
Downward communication is communicating with someone in a way that lowers their self-esteem. It is usually used when someone feels threatened or insecure and needs to communicate in a way that will not upset or anger the other person.
Some common examples of downward communication are when someone tells you that you are wrong, when they give you negative criticism, or when they withhold information.
Downward communication can have negative consequences on both the sender and receiver. The sender can feel frustrated, resentful, and embarrassed. The receiver can feel upset, embarrassed, and angry.
Downward communication is often used as a way to control or manipulate others. The sender wants to keep the other person under their thumb, and the receiver often feels trapped and powerless.
There are some ways that you can avoid being subjected to downward communication. You can be aware of the signs that someone is using it against you, and you can speak up if you feel it is affecting your wellbeing.
What is Lateral Communication?
Lateral communication is a type of communication that occurs between people who are not working together on a task or project. This type of communication happens when people who are not working together try to understand one another by talking outside the work context.
Lateral communication can be used to build relationships and improve working relationships. It can also be used to resolve conflicts. Lateral communication can help to build trust between people, which is important for teamwork.
Lateral communication is often used in business settings. For example, it is often used in negotiations and customer service interactions. It is also often used in meetings to keep everyone up-to-date.
Lateral communication can be difficult to do well. It takes practice to talk to people outside of the work context effectively.
What is External Communication?
External communication is the communication that takes place between a company and its customers, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders.
External communication can be divided into two categories: public and private.
Public communication is communication that takes place through the media. This includes things like advertisements, press releases, and social media posts.
Private communication is communication that takes place between people inside the company. This includes things like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings.
Knowing the difference between public and private communication when it comes to achieving your business goals is important. Public communication can be used to build relationships with customers and other stakeholders. Private communication can be used to share confidential information with partners or suppliers.
It is also important to consider the tone of your external communications. If you want to create a positive image for your company, use public communications methods that are positive and friendly. If you want to keep your competitors at bay, use secret and threatening communications methods.
Conclusion
Business communication is a complex process requiring knowledge of different communication types. To be successful in your business dealings, it is important to understand the various forms of communication and how they work together. This article has outlined some of the most common types of business communication and provides tips on how to use them effectively. Read through this article before you start any negotiations or interactions with your clients or partners to come out on top.
