The advantages and disadvantages of formal Business communication

Advantages and disadvantages of formal Business communication

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of formal Business communication

Most of the routine operations and controlling activates are performed through formal communication.

Advantages of formal business communication are as follows:

1. Transmission of official messages:
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Formal communication facilitates the smooth transmission of official messages.

2. Documentary evidence:
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It has documentary evidence which can be used as future references.

3. Enhance coordination:
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For the achievement of the goal of an organization there must be coordination among different departments and employees. Formal communication enhances the coordination by using the official channels.

4. Reliable:
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As it has documentary evidence it is more reliable than other form of communication.

5. Discipline:
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As information is transmitted by following organization hierarchy, discipline is strictly maintained.

6. Accuracy:
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As discipline is maintained, accuracy of information can be insured. Chance of mistakes can be minimized.

7. Efficiency:
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Through formal communication coordination among different division of an organization increases. As a result organizational efficiency also enhanced.

8. Clarity:
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Clarity of the message is another considerable advantage of formal communication. As formal channel is used chance of ambiguity decreases.

Disadvantages of formal business communication are as follows:

1. Lack of flexibility:
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As strict formalities or chain of command is maintained, it is not flexible.

2. Time consuming:
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As information flows through the chain it takes long time to convey information from upper level to lower level.

3. Not suitable for motivation:
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Formal communication is not suitable for the motivation of employees.

4. Creates misunderstanding:
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In the way of communication messages can be distorted. Thus chance of distortion increases in formal communication.

5. Creates mental distance:
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In case of formal communication lower level employees cannot exchange their views freely with the executives by breaking the chain of command. As a result sometimes it creates mental distance.

6. Costly:
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More time and more formality increases the overall cost of the communication.

7. Artificiality:
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Due to strict formalities and lack of flexibility artificiality developed among the employees of the organization.

 

Thestructure of a business letter

8. Lack of creativity:
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Another drawback of formal communication is lack of creativity observed among the employees. Lower level employees become more interested to comply with the instructions of the authority. Creative thinking not encouraged.