What is Business Communication?

Business communication is the sharing of information between people within an organization that is performed for the commercial benefit of the organization. It can also be defined as relaying of information within a business by its people.

Two or more persons: The first important characteristic of communication is that there must be a minimum number of two persons because no single individual can have an exchange of ideas with himself. A listener is necessary to receive one’s ideas. Therefore, there must be at least two persons-the sender of information and the receiver.

Main elements: Main elements are information, feelings, emotions, ideas and concepts.

Feedback: Feedback means response of the receiver. It means the receiver must understand the information to provide feedback.

Direct and Indirect Communication: It is not necessary in communication that the receiver and giver of information should be face-to-face with each other. Communication can be both direct and indirect. Direct communication means face-to-face conversation, while indirect communication is through other means.

Continuous Process: Communication is an endless process, as is the case with business where the manager continuously assigns work to his subordinates, tries to know the progress of the work and gives directions.

Use of Words as well as Symbols: There can be many means of communication, like the written, the oral and symbolic. The examples of symbolic communication are the ringing of bell for closing a school or a college, saying something by the movement of the neck, showing anger or disapproval through eyes, giving some decision by the raising of a finger in cricket, etc.