formal and informal channels of communication
TRANSCRIPT
Formal and Informal Communication
prepared by
Anush Kuchipudi
Monika Goswami
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
22
ContentsContents1.1. Communication 5
2.2. The Role of Communication in Organizations
6
3.3. Organizational Structure 7
4.4. Organizational Charts 8
5.5. Formal Communication 9
6.6. Informal Communication 12
7.7. Grapevine 13
8.8. Grapevine Characteristics 14
9.9. Managing the Grapevine 15
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
33
1010..
Positive Aspects of the Grapevine 16
1111..
Grapevine Figures 17
1212..
Formal Media 18
1313..
Informal Media 19
ContentsContents
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
44
Communication
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
55
Communication
The social glue that continues to keep the organization tied together.
The essence of organization. A key process underlying all aspects of organizational
operations.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
66
The Role of Communication in an Organizations
Key Purposes: Direct action: to get others to behave in desired fashion. Achieve coordinated action.
Systematic sharing of information ++ Interpersonal side with the focus on interpersonal
relations between people.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
77
Organizational Structure
The formally prescribed pattern of interrelationships existing between the various units of an organization.
Dictating who may and may not communicate with whom. Abstract construction. Depicted in organizational charts.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
88
Organizational Charts
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
99
The process of sharing official information with others who need to know it.
According to the prescribed patterns depicted in an organization chart.
Formal Communication
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1010
Formal Communication
President
VicePresident
VicePresident
Manager Manager Manager Manager
Efforts at coordination
Info
rmat
ion
Instructions and directives
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1111
Formal Communication
Downward Communication: instructions, directions, orders feedback
Upward Communication: data required to complete projects status reports suggestions for improvement, new ideas
Lateral Communication: co-ordination of co-operation
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1212
Informal Communication
Defn-: Information shared without any formally imposed obligations or restrictions.
If an organization’s formal communication represents its skeleton, its informal communication constitutes its central nervous system.
An organization’s informal channels of communication, based mainly on friendship or acquaintance.
Origin: American Civil War [Grapevine Telegraphs].
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1313
Grapevine
A secret means of spreading or receiving information. The informal transmission (un-official) of information ,
gossip or rumor from person-to-person. A rumor.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1414
Grapevine Characteristics
Crossing organizational boundaries. Inaccuracy. Levelling. Deletion of crucial details. Sharpening. Exaggeration of most dramatic details.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1515
Managing the Grapevine
“the grapevine cannot be abolished, rubbed out, hidden under a the grapevine cannot be abolished, rubbed out, hidden under a
basket, chopped down, tied up or stoppedbasket, chopped down, tied up or stopped“
Don‘t try to control or restrict it. Use it to supplement formal channels.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1616
Positive Aspects of the Grapevine
Social function. Identification of pending problems. Early warning system for organizational change. Vehicle for creating a common organizational culture. Desired information can be circulated quickly to a large
group of subordinates (inofficially!).
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1717
Grapevine Figures
70% of all organizational communication occurs at the grapevine level.
Estimated accuracy rates: 75-90%. The incorrect part might change the meaning of the whole
message though. An estimated 80% of grapevine information is oriented toward
the individual while 20% concerns the company.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1818
Formal Media
Company newsletters.
Employee handbooks.
Company magazines.
Formal meetings.
Letters.
Flyers and bulletins.
Memos.
Faxes.
All-employees mailings.
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
1919
Informal Media
Face-to-face discussions. Telephone. Voice messaging (voice mail). E-mail. Instant messaging (chat).
04/11/2304/11/23 Formal and Informal communicatiFormal and Informal communicationon
2020