Types of communication in business

Communication is a part of the life of every being in this world. Everything around us has the ability to use it in various ways. Earth and flora can inform us with changes of form and colors (i.e color transition of leaves tell us about the end of summer and beginning of autumn). Animals can show us the danger with their behavior and their sounds. People can inform us of using many different ways of communication. From the beginning of the world communication and flow of information played a key role in the entire universe.
Communication also plays a key role in interpersonal contacts and business. It is the very basic skill of every business and salespeople. In this article, we will show you how it works, what are different types of communication and why it is so useful. 1. Introduction

As we said, everything around us has the ability to communicate more or less. Various forms of communication allow us and the world around us to send and receive information. Communication skills and abilities are ones of the most elemental in our lives. For example, if a newborn child that can’t talk at the moment is hungry, it will cry to get our attention and send us information “it’s time to feed”.
As adults, we use various types of communication every day. In work, at home, with friends and family, with the world, etc. These types split into two major groups of communication: verbal and nonverbal. In this article, we will describe them and their subgroups, along with their functions and more. Let’s check out this knowledge. 2. Communication functions

Sending information, getting attention, warnings, showing emotions… there are many functions of communication that we can use. Some of them are universal, some belong only to a specific type of communication.
We talked about types of communication and their functions in general but in this article, we will focus mostly on types and functions of communication used in business and sales. You will find this information below.

2.1 Sending information

The very first function of communication is sending information. This function is executed when one (or group) interlocutor is passing the message to the others verbally or nonverbally. Utilizing this function verbally can be done via oral or written messages, and nonverbally via gestures and body language. Very simple. However, in business, it is a little different than in everyday life, mostly with nonverbal messages. For example, when you are doing a business speech you have a special body language and gesture set that can be used to convince your potential customer to take an action. Of course, we can observe using these gestures in basic situations, but they are used for a different reason and not so often. The examples of informative communication function in business:

Verbal: jargon, professional language, speaking techniques, usage of keywords in speech
Nonverbal: planned gestures, attention to body language, well-balanced emotions

2.2 Creating bonds

Another primary function of communication. With communication we are able to achieve new contacts, meet people and create bonds. This function is very important in business and sales because customers and business partners are the elementary part of them. There are of course different rules for making business contacts and reaching customers, but the base function remains untouched in this case. It also helps with the integration of various divisions and departments, which is key for a company to operate well.

2.3 Persuasion function

Persuasion is an important part of the business. Used by the management, employees, and stakeholders. The base target of persuasion is to convince our interlocutor to accept ideas, suggestions, and opinions. Cleverly used persuasion can help you in getting what you want without adding pressure to our speech partner.

2.4 Increasing information flow and reducing misunderstandings

With communication on a high level, we can easily avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and disagreements inside our company. We all know how dangerous they can be, so it’s better to counteract before they even happen than to try to repair mistakes later. Increasing information flow also help with it a lot, and its part of communication function as well.

2.5 Solving troubles and helping in choice making

Business is all about taking risks and making decisions. And to make the right decision we need all the information we can get about the topic. To get them we need communication in all possible forms, to make sure that everything is checked and prepared.
Communication is also an ultimate solution for troubles in the company. Not all but many of them can be solved or avoided with appropriate communication between the management and staff. Using various forms of it it will be even faster and easier to get back on the right path.
These base communication functions are widely known among businesses and successful business people. They’re extremely important for any work, deal or everyday business doing. But communication functions relies not only on itself – you need a form of it to deliver or receive information.
3. Forms of communication

There are two base tools that form raw messages into information: the human body and technology. Our bodies can deliver and receive information in so many ways, and our brain can interpret it in hundreds of options. With the support of technology, we can even widen this spectrum.
From the prehistoric ages, people worked out a huge amount of communication options that divide into five basic types of communication:

Verbal,
Non-verbal/Interpersonal,
Written,
Formal/Informal,
Visual. We will shortly describe some of them for you below.

3.1 Verbal communication

Also known as oral communication. To explain it as simple as possible: this is the form of communication that happens between two or more people with information passed orally. It is one of the fastest precise way of communication we have now. They’re also more effective.
With the support of technology, we can now communicate in this form, thanks to phone calls, Skype and FaceTime.
As a CEO or manager, you need very high verbal communication skills. Being at the high position you need to make sure that everyone understands what you are saying and what is your point. There is no space for unprecise speeches and shortcutted messages.
There were many people who were great in verbal communication. Some of them even have their books or biographies that can give you an idea of how to be better in verbal communication.

3.2 Non-verbal communication

In short words: body language, gestures, and signals. Also, you look and what you wear is taken as a message in business. Non-verbal communication is as important as verbal, and sometimes it is even part of it. The key message of non-verbal communication is your emotions and thoughts. If you are in a panic, you can stutter, your hands might shake, your gestures might be inaccurate to the situation. With all these, you will give your interlocutor a signal that you are unprepared for something and you are unsure of your decisions. And this can lead to the fiasco of the entire talk. In business, you need to hold your emotions, control your gestures, look as professional as you can. Everything from eye contact and handshake to the color of your socks has meaning in communication and can be interpreted in many various ways.

3.3 Written communication

Written communication today is a little less popular form of contact. Before the birth of the internet, letters were base written messages all around the world. Now with the development of technology, it is much easier to use this type of communication, but it is slower and might be less precise than verbal communication. As Verbal communication, it can be either formal or informal, which is great. The basic advantage of written communication is time. When you are talking with someone you don’t have much time to make a decision and choose the right words. When you are writing a message the amount of time you get is much higher. What is important that the written message acts as a final word once a decision has been taken. It can be used internally inside a company, as well as externally, to your customers.
But you have to be cautious when you use this type of communication. One wrong written email delivered to the wrong person and the wrong form of language can cause many problems. You have to be skilled in this form as well as in the others. 4. Summary

In this article, we have shown you some knowledge about communication functions and types. We proved that it is a very important part of not only everyday life but also the core of any business. The other thing is to find contact with potential partners and customers. Doing it by yourself can cause losses of money and time. That’s why we, in Datantify created many various databases of companies that you can use to get in touch with them.
We hope that the information you get from this post will be useful for you on your way to achieve success. Thank you for your time and attention, and see you next time. Sources https://www.textrequest.com/blog/engaging-consumers-methods-communication/ https://thebusinesscommunication.com/what-is-communication-functions-of-communication/ https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-the-functions-of-communication-definition-examples.html https://www.marketing91.com/five-types-of-communication/