Business communication is the process of sharing information between people within and outside a company to achieve a fundamental goal. It involves creating, sharing, listening, and understanding messages between different groups of people through written and verbal formats. Business communication can occur internally, employee-to-employee, or externally, business-to-business or business-to-consumer. Effective business communication is how employees and management interact to reach organizational goals, improve organizational practices, and reduce errors. Business communication is closely related to professional communication and technical communication, and it encompasses topics such as marketing, brand management, customer relations, consumer behavior, advertising, public relations, corporate communication, community engagement, reputation management, interpersonal communication, employee engagement, internal communication, and event management.
There are four main types of business communication: upward communication, downward communication, lateral communication, and external communication. Upward, downward, and lateral communication types refer to internal business communication or information exchanged within an organization, while external business communication refers to interactions that happen between the organization and an outside party. Face-to-face, electronic, and written communication are the three main methods of communication in a workplace setting.
A business communication degree concentration includes various communication-focused courses in addition to the core courses required of all business majors. The curriculum of the business communication degree concentration prioritizes important skills such as improving workplace communication, negotiating and managing conflict, and understanding and shaping messages.
Effective business communication is essential for the success and growth of a company. It can improve business operations, streamline operations, align teams, and pave the way for successful interactions and outcomes.
