FLOW OF COMMUNICATION

• An organization is a group of people associated for business, political, professional, religious, social, or other purposes. Its activities require human beings to interact and react, that is, to communicate.

They exchange information, ideas, plans, and order needed supplies and make decisions, rules, suggestion, contracts, and agreements. All these activities require one skill, that is communication.

So we can say that communication is the “Lifeline” of every organization.

There are two types of communication in an organization.

Internal communication

External communication

• An exchange of information within an organization is called internal communication. It takes place at different levels -- downwards, upwards and horizontal  

• To exchange information within and outside the organization we use a variety of formal and informal forms of communication that carry the flow of information.

Direction of flow within the organization

Downward Flow:-

Organizational decisions are made at top level and then flow down to the people who carry them. When employees receive appropriate downward communication from the management, they become motivated and more efficient. They are concerned about their benefits such as health care, promotions, pensions, training, etc.

Upward Flow: - To solve problems and make intelligent decision manager need what is going on in the organization. Upward internal communication is also very important. Many executives want comments from employees in addition to the usual periodic reports. Successful managers listen closely to opinions, complaints, problems, and suggestions, especially when these are clearly put forward. They want to know about problem, emerging trends

Horizontal Flow: Horizontal flow takes place between peers in organizations in order to solve problems, perform job duties, prepare for meetings, and co-operate on important projects. So you can imagine that people spend time on listening to and making requests, writing notes and memos, and discussing and writing about projects. And they do it through communication. 

Informal Internal Communication: Every organization has an informal communication network – a grapevine – that supplements official channel. It is important source of information. It is casual conversation of an organization.

External Communication: - Communication that takes place outside the organization is called external communication. To write letter, proposal, report, telephone call, or personal conversation can win back an angry customer, create a services, encourage collections, motivate performance, and in general, create goodwill.

Informal External Communication

Although external communication is formal, informal contacts with outsiders are important for learning customer’s needs. Plenty of high level manager recognize the value of keeping in touch with “the real world by creating opportunities to talk with and get feedback from customers and frontline companies.