Explain the methods of communication available to a business, with their merits and limitations.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open. A business can send a message in words (verbal), without words (non-verbal) or in pictures (visual). The right method depends on the purpose.
2 · Oral communication.
Examples: meetings, calls, interviews.
Merits: fast, instant feedback, personal.
Limits: no record, details forgotten.
3 · Written communication.
Examples: letters, memos, reports, emails.
Merits: permanent record, precise, reaches many.
Limits: slow, costly to prepare, delayed feedback.
4 · Non-verbal communication. Kinesics, paralanguage, proxemics, chronemics and appearance. It shows feelings, but it can be misread.
5 · Visual communication. Charts, signs and pictures. Easy to grasp and crosses language barriers, but needs words for detail.
6 · Formal and informal channels. Formal channels are reliable and recorded; the grapevine is fast but spreads rumours.
7 · How to choose, with a Sri Lankan example. Choose by purpose, urgency, record, receiver and cost, e.g. a bank uses written loan agreements but oral service at the counter.
8 · Close. Most messages work best when methods are combined, e.g. a talk followed by a written summary.
Scoring tip: A table comparing oral and written methods saves time and scores well.
