1. Types of Communication
Lauren Taylor – Dardanelle High School

2. Various Communication mediums
Text
Voice
Video
In-Person
Communication is evolving quickly, offering us more options than ever before.

3. Evolution of Communication
Landline phones used to be the most convenient means of communication.
Now, one handheld mobile device can perform all of the functions of a landline phone, fax machine, web cam, and computer.

4. Convenience ≠ Efficiency
Each of us have a preference when it comes to communicating.
Based on what we feel is easiest.
It’s important to see beyond the limits of our own convenience.
The selection of your medium can have a drastic impact on both the efficiency and interpretation of your message.

5. Text One of the most popular mediums
s, SMS text messages, social media interaction, and instant messaging are all forms of text based communication
Best when message should be on record and not conveyed with emotion
Fast and precise
Holds people accountable for their messages
Impersonal and subject to interpretation

6. Text Based Communication
Advantages
Messages are to the point – no room for small talk
Messages are on record – no room for misinterpretation
You can be precise, allows for time to think carefully about what we want to say
You can be organized – text messages are more limiting, but with you can organize your message in a way that visually makes sense
Disadvantages
Text carries no tone – tone of voice and body language is lost
Text can be misinterpreted – one spelling error or skip-over could ruin the effect your message is intended to have
It’s impersonal – compassion and sympathy are better with face-to-face
Does not allow back-and-forth open discussions, only one-to-one responses

7. Voice
Voice calls have started to become obsolete, but they still have a place for many people
Great for connecting several remote people at once
The inefficiency of communication often makes in-person or text based meetings better options

8. Voice Based Communication
Advantages
Doesn’t require much attention – phone calls give you more freedom especially with a hands-free set (multi-task)
Allows expression of inflection – without body language – inject humor or sympathy
Several people can connect simultaneously and remotely
Disadvantages
People tend to speak over each other on conference calls
No record of the communication – you can record the call, but it is more difficult to find what you are looking for without searchable text
Sometimes it is hard to hear – heavy accents, bad connections, and low voices can make phone calls difficult

9. Video Calls
Alternative to in-person meetings, if you have a good connection
Skype and FaceTime are two of the most popular applications
Best with only a handful of participants

10. Video based Communication
Advantages
Allows expression of body language
Offers options such as sending files, sharing computer screens, and communicate with text within the meeting
You are able to keep a record of the meeting
Disadvantages
Use a lot of bandwidth – may have an impact on those around you
Bad connections can ruin everything – you don’t want your client meeting to be cut short because of a bad connection
Threshold for effectiveness – right now fewer participants is much more effective than several. (Google Hangouts is trying to find a solution for this)

11. In-Person This form of communication has been the go-to for decades
Most preferential form of communication if trying to build or maintain a business relationship – otherwise inefficient and inconvenient

12. In-Person Based Communication
Advantages
Full body language and expression – as personal as you can get
No interruptions – no bad connections or dropped calls
Fluid conversations – unlike phone calls where people tend to interrupt one another
Interactive dialog between many participants
Disadvantages
People are everywhere in the World doing business with one another – it is sometimes impossible to meet in-person
Record keeping is subjective – only way to keep record is to write out notes, which leaves room for personal interpretation
Timing is difficult – every participant must block off time to travel to a location, meet, and travel back

13. How to make the right choice
Every situation is unique
It is impossible to select one communication medium that can support all of your business needs
The key is to master effective communication – not improving your messages, but improving the delivery of your messages
Use each of these mediums to its greatest advantage, and you will be able to get the most out of every conversation you have