Classification of Communication Channels

In the previous posts we have written about two broad types of communication - verbal and non-verbal. Based on this we could classify the communication channels into :

• Two-way, face-to-face channels : here the communication is oral and non-verbal. Immediate feedback is possible and the communication is of personalized nature. Ex: meetings, gatherings or video-conferencing.
• Advantages:
• Non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice can be used to make the communication more effective.
• Immediate feedback is possible with questions, clarification or suggestions.
• The personal quality of communication is enhanced.
• Disadvantages :
• Getting people together for a fact-to-face meeting is difficult.
• Personal meeting is time consuming and expensive especially when people are separated by distance.

• Two-way, but not face-to-face channels : With technology, communication can now be two way without being face-to-face. Ex :Teleconferencing and E-mail communication.  Due to lack of face-to-face contact, the personal nature of meetings is reduced.  Also communication oral without non-verbal cues.
• One-way, face-to-face channels : All forms of written communication such as letters, reports, memos, notices, e-mails etc. No instantaneous feedback, largely one-way communication.

Selecting the Appropriate Channel :

Though there is no hard and fast rule to select an appropriate channel of communication, the following guidelines would be useful :

• When trying to solve problems or improve relations, oral face-to-face communication is most effective.
• When visual presentation for explaining an idea is required, oral face-to-fact is better.
• To command a high degree of control over receiver or when there is a need for immediate feedback, oral face-to-face works best.
• When the tone of the communication needs to be more formal, written communication is more appropriate.
• To explain complex ideas in detail, written communication is more preferred.
• To communicate large amount of information, written communication must be preferred.
• Written communication is also appropriate when you want to keep a record of the communication.

Comparison of Oral and Written Communication Channels :

Charateristic	Oral Communication	Written Communication
Interactivity	High	Low
Level of Feedback	High	Low
Formal Nature	Low	High
Personal Nature	High	Low
Permanent Nature	Low	High
Cost	High	Low
Control over Receiver	High	Low
Effectiveness for Complex Messages	Low	High
Effectiveness for Detailed Messages	Low	High

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