1.2 & 1.3 Methods of Communication

Question 1

State four of the main methods of communication

Answer 1

Face-to-face
Oral
Written
Electronic
Graphical
Numerical
Pictoral

Question 2

What are 3 of the ways you can communicate Electronically

Answer 2

Intranet
Internet
Email
Blogs
Podcasts
Social networking

Question 3

How is an information overload a barrier to communication?

How can it be avoided?

Answer 3

If people are given too much information at one time and it is difficult for them to process it, this will lead to the receiver becoming confused of tired
The sender should be careful not to include too much information in a message

Question 4

What are some of the types of noise that can be barriers to communication?

Answer 4

Physical Noise - traffic, road works, machinery
Technical noise - Bad connection, faulty line, technical problems
Social noise - Clash of personalities
Psychological noise - excessive emotion interfering with the communication

Question 5

what is the difference between formal and informal meetings?

Answer 5

• Informal meetings are different from formal as they take place without any specified procedures or rules being followed
• Are lead by a group leader rather than a chairperson
• notes of a meeting may not always be required

Question 6

what are some of the consequences of an inadequate preparation for meetings?

Answer 6

• If all those entitled to attend did not receive the Notice of Meeting and Agenda the numbers at the meeting would be affected – possibly the quorum would not be reached and the meeting would have to be postponed
• If the Agenda was not carefully planned the meeting might not cover important topics, or might overrun
• If the Chairperson was not well briefed, this would show during the discussion and might lead to poor decisions being taken
• If the venue booked was not suitable this could create problems – the room might be too small, or not set up as desired; it could even be double booked!
• Essential information might not be available at the meeting – this could lead to ill-informed decisions
• If some people did not receive the Notice of Meeting, Agenda and/or any additional papers which should have been distributed prior to the meeting, it might not be possible to discuss certain items – discussion and decisions might have to be postponed to a future meeting
• People attending the meeting could feel that their time had been wasted – and time in business is money!