Media or Methods of Internal Communication
Internal communication occurs among the members of an organization to exchange information on various organizational issues. The flow of internal communication may be either vertical or horizontal. The following are the methods for exchanging information among the members of an organization:
Directives: Directives are the widely used media of internal communication. Through directives organizational plans, policies, strategies, procedures etc. are communicated to the subordinates. Directives can be sent only to the immediate subordinates or distributed only for informational purposes.
Notice board: Notice board is another popular medium of internal communication. Normally routine official rules, regulations, policies and procedures are displayed in the notice had in writing of pictorial form.
Company periodicals: Company periodicals generally contain company related articles, reports, rules, suggestions, mission, goals etc. If it is published on regular basis, it can be a very useful method of communicating information among the members of the organization.
Employee handbook/manual: Some organizations supply employee handbook or instruction manual to the newly appointed employees. It defines the mission, goals, policies and strategies of the company along with the duties and responsibilities of the employees.
Memos: Memo is another commonly used medium of internal communication. It is an officially accepted written method of internal communication. It is generally prepared by the top executives for conveying official orders, rules, regulations etc. to the employees in general. However, subordinates also write memo to communicate with their superiors.
Information rack: Large organizations install information racks to disseminate rules, regulations, strategies, policies etc. to the employees. It is usually placed in such areas like fresh room, canteen, club and recreation room where employees come together.
Poster: To make the employees well informed of the company matters, eye-catching and attractive posters can be used. In some situations, it may be the most effective way of internal communication.
Complaints & suggestions box: Complaints and suggestions box is an effective way of obtaining employee suggestions, complaints, opinions and feelings. Such boxes are kept in some advantageous places so that the employees can submit their complaints and suggestions easily.
Meetings: All types of organizations conduct various meetings to discuss important issues of the organization. In the meetings, the participants can share information and ideas and thus can make better decision.
Letters: Letters are also written to convey necessary information to the concerned employees. Letters are usually written to inform employees about promotion, transfer, discharge, disciplinary action etc.
Telephone: Telephone is a conventional and very widely used method of internal communication It is probably the most important and popular method of oral communication in the organization.
