Communication Process
...00, pg 336). There are various channels to choose from. Some examples given by Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn are face to face, e-mail, memos, letters and telephone (2000, pg 336). It is important to give careful consideration to the channel chosen. If a sender relays a message through an inappropriate channel, its message may not reach the intended audience. The receiver is the person who the message is being sent to (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 335). When the message is received, it is decoded. Decoding is the interpretation of the message into a perceived meaning (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 335). The extent to which this person comprehends the message will depend on a combination of their experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skill, perceptions, and culture. A factor that will affect how a person comprehends a message is noise. Noise is also referred to as communication barriers. Communication barriers are factors that have a negative impact on the communication process (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 340). Noise can occur during any stage of the process. The different types of noises are physical distractions, semantic errors, cultural differences, absence of feedback, and status effects (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 340-42). When the message is received, the receiver gives feed back. Feedback is the communication of the receiver’s feelings about the message (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 336-37). Even if the receiver gives not response, it in a sense is a form of response (Bovee & Thill, 1992). Without feedback, the sender cannot confirm that the receiver has interpreted the message correctly. Feedback is a key component in the communication process because it allows the source to evaluate the effectiveness of the message and provides an opportunity to take corrective action if the message is misunderstood (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 336-37). Effective vs. Non-Effective Communication Although the communication process seems simple, it in essence is not. Effective communication begins with the recognition that not everyone views things in the same way. The effectiveness of a message relates to the message’s accuracy (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 337). When the receiver interprets the message with the same meaning that was intended by the source, this is when communication is effective (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborn, 2000, pg 337). There was a situation that occurred in my function that demonstrates effective communication. When I decided to return to school and finish getting my degree, I made sure that I did a thorough evaluation of what schools would best meet my needs. I chose to attend the University of Phoenix On-line. Normally my company pays 100% of an employee’s tuition. And, as expected, there are certain procedures that must take place as part of the process. I found that I hit a brick wall when it came to getting final authorization. The problem was that the online education was new to management and as a result they were skeptical about giving approval. I was required to put together a presentation to management that would present my case. When I think through the communication process in relation to this situation, I can clearly identify the components of the process. I am the source and management was the receiver. The method that I chose to use to encode my message was in written form. I had to do extensive research into the school and compare the program to comparable programs offered at traditional schools. Also to make the presentation effective, I had to demonstrate how this program would benefit me as an employee and the organization. The channel used to transmit the message was by way of a report that was sent through interoffice mail. The feedback received was their authorization to participate in the on-l...