business communication

Email is a very fast way of sending and receiving information , and it certainly does make things easier in the workplace as well as in other areas of life . The internet has revolutionised the way we communicate An important business decision might be made at long-distance via email within minutes , and at absolutely no cost . However , research has shown that face-to-face communication is a necessary factor in promoting healthy business relationships . Email does not allow for this kind of communication therefore , though fast and easy , it is inadequate as a replacement for

the formal (or even informal ) business meeting

Several levels of communication exist , and verbal communication is only one of them . Non-verbal is as important as verbal communication in assessing another 's reaction to one 's ideas and assertions . According to a study done by Gary Deziel at the University of Vermont Extension , it was found that many people communicate emotions through facial expressions or tone of voice rather than in their words (2004 ) The lack of non-verbal communication inherent in email can promote several levels of misunderstanding if relied upon too heavily . Although fast email cannot provide the energy and interaction that is present at business meetings , nor can it provide as immediate a response to questions as a face to face interview might

As was further pointed out , while a supervisor may think he or she has communicated a directive clearly , the subordinate may be carrying out s that were never intended or doing something quite different than the supervisor requested (Deziel , 2004 . This is not just a problem where relationships are concerned , but such misunderstandings might end up costing a company a lot of money , as problems might be generated that are difficult to fix

Email can serve a company very well , but it does not serve it in every situation , and should not be made to be the work horse of communication when it cannot carry the entire load . Different people communicate in different ways , and while some are comfortable with the limited personal contact of email , other members of staff might require a more personal touch . Therefore , email should not replace business meetings or other types of person-to-person interaction in a company

References

Deziel , Gary (2004 , June . E-mail Use and Communication Perceptions of University of Vermont Extension Employees . Journal of Extension [Online] , 42 (3 . Available : http /www .joe .org /joe /2004june /rb3 .shtml

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