types of communication Flashcards
what are the 4 types of communication?
verbal communication - spoken in words
non verbal communication - body language, gestures
written communication - emails, reports, letters
visual communication - charts, advertisement
what is verbal communication?
the use of spoken words to convey a message
it can be face to face, by phone or video calls
what are the advantages and disadvantages of verbal communication? (3)
advantages:
- immediate feedback - questions can be answered instantly
- tone and emotions can be conveyed
- more personal and engaging than written communication
disadvantages:
- no permanent record - unless recorded
- can be misinterpreted due to accents, tone or language barriers
- not suitable for large audiences - one to one or small groups work best
what are examples of verbal communication in enterprise?
meetings with employees or clients
phone calls for customer service
sales pitches to potential customers
video conferencing for remote teams
what is non verbal communication?
communication through body language, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact instead of words
what are the ad and disad of non-verbal communication?
advantages:
- supports verbal communication - smiling
-useful when language barrier - gestures can help
- can create strong impressions - confident posture
disadvantages:
- can be misinterpreted - different cultures have different gestures
- not useful for complex information - can’t explain a business plan
what are examples of non-verbal communication in enterprise?
handshakes - show confidence, professionalism
nodding in agreement - show understanding
maintaining eye contact - build trust with customers
What is written communication?
communication through written words, such as emails, reports, letters and instant messaging
What are the advantages and disadvantages of written communication?
advantages:
- permament record - useful for legal or business
purposes
- can be edited and reviewed before sending
- can reach a large audience - e.g. newsletters
disadvantages:
- no immediate feedback - can take time for response
- tone may be misinterpreted - emails may sound rude if not written carefully
- can be time-consuming to draft and edit
what are some examples of written communication?
emails
reports
memos - internal communication within a business
social media posts - marketing communication
What is visual communication?
communication using images, diagrams, videos, charts and presentations
What are the advantages of visual communication?
advantage:
- easier to understand complex information -
graphs and charts simplify data
- engaging and memorable - videos and
infographics capture attention
- can be used universally - symbols and icons can
be understood globally
disadvantages:
-can be expensive to create - e.g.professional vids
- might not convey detailed information - some visuals need explanation
- requires technology - powerpoint presentations need a projector or computer
What are examples of visual communication in enterprise?
graphs and charts - used in financial reports
company logos and branding - visual identity of a business
advertisements and infographics - marketing materials
powerpoint presentations - used in business meetings
what are the main METHODS of business communication?
internal – between employees and departments
external – with customers, suppliers and stakeholders
formal – official documents, emails and reports
informal – casual conversations, social media chats
what helps to determine what type of communication to use?
if it an urgent – use verbal as it is faster than written
if its confidential – communicate through written communication
audience – visual communication works for large groups, verbal is better for personal interactions
technology available – if there’s no internet, written emails won’t work
Situation: Apple holds live keynote events (e.g., iPhone launches) where CEOs and product managers speak directly to the audience.
how does this verbal communication work
- it engages customer and investors through storytelling
- allows immediate feedback through Q&A
- creates excitement and media buzz
Situation: Elon Musk’s body language and facial expressions in interviews influence investor confidence. His eye contact and open gestures show confidence and vision.
why does this non verbal communication work?
non verbal communication builds trust with investors and customers
a strong personal presence makes a brand more appealing
Amazon uses automated yet personalized emails for:
Order confirmations.
Delivery updates.
Customer support follow-ups
why does this written communication work?
creates a professional record of all transactions
builds trust by keeping customers informed
saves time but still maintains personaization
Nike uses high-quality images, videos, and infographics in ads and social media campaigns.
why does this visual communication work?
attracts a global audience without needing words
emotionally engaging - e.g inspiring athlete stories
quickly conveys product benefits - short videos of shoes in action
- Big companies combine……………
- Written communication (emails, reports) is essential for..
- Verbal and non-verbal communication are critical for….
- Visual content (social media, branding) is now a……
- multiple communication types for maximum impact.
- keeping record
- leadership and sales
- dominant strategy
