What are the types of business communication?

The business communication settings includes the sending and receiving of messages in an organization- between two people, or among a small group of people, or in a one-to-many setting, with the intent of influencing organizational behavior. The results of communication efforts thus may be intentional (one person deliberately attempts to influence another) or unintentional (one person’s actions are perceived and interpreted by another). All business communication is ultimately persuasive in nature and represents an attempt to influence behavior in organizations.

Some impressions are intentional- under the control of communicator. Skilled business communication consider the importance of first impressions as they plan for a presentation. They carefully the way confident people walk into a room; they consider appropriate dress (colors, textures, style, etc.); they note how when handshake techniques affect the impression. Additionally, skillful presenters manage the amenities of small talk and factors such as seating arrangements in an effort to make a favorable first impression.

Indeed, a “sharp image” may be planned and cultivated well in advance. One must “sell oneself” before offering an idea or a plan of action; this should motivate the communicator to consider communication variables that affect the success of the appeal.

Other impressions are unintentional. While recognizing that such impressions are unavoidable, effective communicators will try to be as sensitive to unintended cues as possible in order to minimize potential distractions from an intended message.

A good business communicator tries to minimize misunderstandings. Even the most sensitive persuader will have to recognize that much unconscious communication (communication below the threshold of awareness) and/or unintentional communication will occur during a given interaction.

Only a careful audit of the feedback behaviors of the audience members will give the business communicator clues as to the presence of such unintentional stimuli. Awareness is the beginning of stimulus management.