Question

List two different official communication channels you might find within a community service organisation explain what they are and the benefits and/ or disadvantage of using them?

Answer 1

Communication channel is a particular type of media through which a message is sent and received from one person to another.2 tyoes of communications channels are.....formal communication

Informal communication

Formal communication.....This system designed by management to channalise the flow of communication along formal organizational structure.It referred to Official communication which follows the chain of command.Examples are: mannuals,Monthly and annuals reports,orders,patient satisfication surveys,plan,meetings etc.

Advantages of formal communication...

▪It flows from higher authority person to their staff

▪Large number can be reached easily,uniformity and in a short time

▪Rules are well laid so necessary information gets filtered at every level.Each level gets only what is relevant to them

▪Less chance of mistakes in exchanging information within thr emloyees.

▪Formal channels are used for clear communication.

▪An organization design and works with formal channels to suit specific needs.

▪It enhance attention,reliability,accuracy,and smooth communication.

▪Easy to understand

▪It helps monitoring organizational activities personnel at levels can be kept in control.

▪Maintainance of discipline.

▪Increase efficiency

▪Effective formal communication channels are a mark of professionalism.

▪Ease of cooperation and coordination.

▪Quick accomplishment of work.

▪Free from distortion

DISADVANTAGES OF FORMAL COMMUNICATION..

▪Its time consuming,information may not directly reach the relevant person.

▪It inhibits the natural and free flow of information must be channelized in the prescribed route.

▪Inflexibility

▪Lack of personal relations.

▪Delay in decision making.

▪More workload.

▪cause Authoritarian culture in organization because the sender is higher authority and receiver is lower staff and superiors order can not disobeyed.

▪Create misunderstanding

▪create mental distance

▪Communication Gap

▪Reduce accuracy

▪Unnecessary harrasment.

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION....

The communication which does not follow any pre defined channel for the transmission of information is known as informal communication.The network of informal communication is also called grapevine because the origin and the direction of such communication can not be traced easily.

ADVANTAGES OF INFORMAL COMMUNICATION...

▪Speed is the most significant feature of informal communication.

▪Feedback is much faster than formal communication channels and hence this is thr pulse of an organization.Thr reaction to the decision,services reach high level authority much faster than through formal channels.

▪In some cases message can not sent through formal communication and need some alternative such as informal channel.

▪Message which sent to high autority require proper explanation and interpretation and the informal communication is best mean here.

▪in formal communication employer can not make complaint to superiors but in informal it gives chance to employeed to tell their complaints.

▪Employee can freely exchange opinions.They can ask any question without any hesitation and cordial communication atmosphere is created to improve relations between management and staff.

▪It improve relation between management and staff through cooperative and coordinated behaviour.

▪If any issue related to work,procedures then subordinates feel free to provide solution and suggestions etc.

▪Information flow quickly through this channel in case of urgency.

▪It provides emotional relief to employees and they can concentrate to job effectively.

▪In case of problem,conflicts and any issue management can take necessary action on time and in a effective way.

Provide job satisfication to workers

DISADVANTAGES OF INFORMAL COMMUNICATION

▪A rumour may spread very fast

▪It is less credible than formal channels hence it can not be taken seriously

▪Selective information gets transmitted at each level as a result there is much distortion

▪Informal channels usually fail to carry the complete information

▪Information may get revealed in the wrong time