Key terms

communication channnel - for example team briefings or work councils

downward communication – top down communication from superior to subordinate

formal v. informal communication

- formal communication uses channels of communication established by the firm, e.g. department meetings;

- informal communication uses the workers own channels of communication, e.g. the grapevine

information technology (IT) – the use of electronic mechanics to store, process and distribute information

Intranet - an internet service running within a business. It provides e-mail and other internet services, but can only be accessed by company staff

Noise - anything which can interfere with the reception of a message. This may include physical noise (think of the problems you have talking on the phone when the TV is on too loud) or the problems associated with too many people trying to talk at once.

One-way-communication – communication without any feedback, for example putting a notice on a notice board

Team briefings – meetings at which supervisors or team leaders inform their team of their progress to date and set new targets

Two-way communication – communication with feedback,  for example a discussion