Non-verbal communication is powerful in business (tone, facial expressions, gestures, posture, appearance, etc.), but it does have some limitations that can create challenges if relied on too heavily.

i. Lack of clarity and precision: Non-verbal cues can be ambiguous; the same gesture or expression may have multiple meanings depending on context( E.g., crossed arms may signal defensiveness, comfort, or simply being cold).
ii. Cultural differences: Gestures, personal space, and eye contact vary across cultures. Thus, while a signal that conveys confidence in one culture (e.g., direct eye contact in the U.S.) might be seen as disrespectful in another (e.g., in some Asian cultures).
iii. Limited scope: Complex ideas, strategies, or detailed instructions cannot be conveyed effectively through body language or facial expressions alone. It works better for emotions than for facts and data.
iv. Risk of misinterpretation: Non-verbal cues rely heavily on the observer’s perception. Thus, stress, personal biases, or preconceptions may cause misreading of signals.
v. No permanent record: Unlike written or even spoken words (which can be recorded), non-verbal communication leaves no lasting evidence. This makes it unsuitable for legal, contractual, or formal documentation.
vi. Influence of physical/emotional state: Fatigue, illness, or stress can unintentionally send the wrong message (e.g., slouching may be misread as disinterest).
vii. Dependency on context: A gesture or expression often needs accompanying verbal communication for accurate interpretation. Without context, non-verbal cues can lose their meaning.
viii. Technological barriers: In digital business environments (emails, phone calls, remote work), non-verbal communication is often absent or reduced. Even video calls may not capture subtle cues clearly.

The major elements of communication are usually explained through the communication process model. The key elements are:

i. Sender (Communicator/Source): The person or entity who initiates the communication and is responsible for generating an idea and encoding it into a message.
ii. Message: The information, idea, or thought that the sender wants to communicate. This can be verbal, nonverbal, written, visual, or symbolic.
iii. Encoding: The process of turning thoughts or ideas into a form that can be transmitted (words, symbols, gestures, visuals, etc.).
iv. Channel (Medium): The medium or pathway through which the message travels from sender to receiver(E.g, Face-to-face conversation, phone, email, social media, television, etc.
v. Receiver: The person or group who receives the message, interprets, and tries to understand the meaning of the message.
vi. Decoding: The process by which the receiver interprets the message and assigns meaning to it.
vii. Feedback: The receiver’s response to the message, which lets the sender know whether the communication was successful(E.g, Verbal reply, nodding, silence, written response.
viii. Noise (Barriers): Anything that distorts or interferes with the message. This can be physical (background sounds), psychological (bias, emotions), or semantic (language differences, jargon).
ix. Context (Environment/Situation): The situation or environment in which communication takes place(cultural, social, physical, and psychological aspects).

The difference between structured, semi-structured, and unstructured decisions

Not all e-business is part of e-commerce.
 E-commerce specifically involves the buying and selling of goods or services online.
 E-business covers a broader scope, including internal processes (supply chain management, HR, customer support) that may not involve direct transactions.

Chronemics is the study of how people perceive, use, and structure time in communication and relationships. It looks at things like punctuality, response time, conversational pauses, and cultural attitudes toward time.

i. Manuscript delivery: The speaker reads a written text word-for-word.This style
Ensures accuracy but may sound less engaging.
ii. Memorized delivery: The speech is fully memorized and recited. This style allows eye contact but risks sounding mechanical if not practiced well.
iii. Impromptu delivery: The speech given without prior preparation. This style is spontaneous and natural but may lack structure.
iv. Extemporaneous delivery: The speech is prepared and rehearsed but delivered with limited notes. This style is most common in business and professional settings. It balances structure and natural flow.

i. Clarity: Using simple, precise, and unambiguous language so the audience easily understands the message.
ii. Concise: Avoid unnecessary words and focus only on essential points.
iii. Confidence: Speaking with assurance and authority, which helps gain trust and attention.
iv. Correctness: Using accurate facts, proper grammar, and appropriate language.
v. Completeness: Covering all necessary information without leaving gaps that confuse listeners.
vi. Courtesy: Showing respect and politeness, considering the audience’s feelings and perspectives.
vii. Active listening: Engaging with the audience by paying attention to their feedback, questions, and reactions.
viii. Tone & modulation: Using the right tone, pitch, and variation in voice to maintain interest and avoid monotony.
ix. Body language: Supporting words with gestures, posture, and facial expressions that reinforce the message.
x. Audience awareness: Adapting language, examples, and style to the background, needs, and expectations of listeners.
xi. Engagement: Encouraging interaction through questions, examples, or stories to keep the audience involved.
xii. Empathy: Understanding the audience’s point of view and responding thoughtfully.

i. Speed and efficiency: Messages can be sent instantly across the globe through email, messaging apps, and video calls.
ii. Accessibility: Technology enables communication regardless of time zones, physical distance, or disabilities (e.g., captioning, screen readers).
iii. Cost reduction: Digital platforms reduce reliance on physical travel, mail, and long-distance phone calls.
iv. Collaboration: Tools such as video conferencing, shared documents, and project management apps support teamwork in real time.
v. Reach and scale: Social media and mass communication platforms allow one message to reach millions simultaneously.
vi. Record keeping: Emails, chats, and digital archives provide permanent records for reference and accountability.
vii. Interactivity: Technology supports two-way engagement through comments, polls, feedback forms, and live discussions.
viii. Personalization: Data-driven systems allow messages to be tailored to specific audiences, improving relevance and clarity.
ix. Innovation in expression: Multimedia (videos, graphics, virtual reality) enhances how ideas and information are presented.
x. Crisis communication: During emergencies, technology ensures rapid alerts and updates across multiple channels.

i. Enhances understanding: Clarifies complex ideas through charts, diagrams, and images, thereby making abstract information more concrete.
ii. Increases engagement: Adds variety, thereby preventing monotony and keeping the audience
iii. Improves retention: Supports long-term recall of key points as people remember visuals better than spoken words.
iv. Strengthens persuasion: Data visuals (graphs, infographics) make arguments more convincing, while professional design builds credibility.
v. Saves time: Reduces lengthy explanations by communicating large amounts of information quickly.
vi. Supports Inclusivity: Provides accessibility through a clear structure, thereby helping non-native speakers and visual learners.
vii. Helps to overcome stage fright.

• An intranet is a private network used within an organization, not to connect different networks simultaneously, but to provide restricted internal communication and resource sharing.
• The Internet is a global public network, not private.

The 7Cs of communication

i. Clarity: Eliminates ambiguity. This ensures employees, clients, and partners understand messages correctly.
ii. Concise: Saves time by avoiding unnecessary details, thereby promoting efficiency in workplace communication.
iii. Concreteness: Uses specific facts and figures, thereby building credibility and reducing misinterpretation.
iv. Correctness: Ensures information is accurate and appropriate, thereby protecting the organization’s reputation and fostering trust.
v. Consideration: Acknowledges the audience’s needs, values, and perspectives, thereby encouraging mutual respect and positive relationships.
vi. Completeness: Provides all necessary details for decision-making, thereby preventing confusion and reducing the need for repeated follow-ups.
vii. Courtesy: Promotes respectful and polite interaction, thereby enhancing cooperation and a positive organizational culture.

Combined Effect
Together, the 7C’s foster trust, reduce conflict, and improve collaboration. They ensure communication is ethical, professional, and aligned with organizational goals, which leads to greater efficiency, transparency, and long-term success.

i. Downward: Here, communication flows from a higher level in an organization to a lower level in an organization (i.e., from seniors to subordinates). It is used by managers to transmit work-related information to the employees at lower levels. Managers use downward communication to:
• Provide feedback on employees’ performance.
• Give job instruction.
• Communicate the organization's mission and vision to the employees.
• Highlight areas that need more attention.
• Explain employees’ duties and their relation to the organization’s goals.
Examples include organizational publications, circulars, letters to employees, and group meetings.

ii. Upward: This refers to the communication that flows to a higher level in the organization. (i.e., from subordinates to superiors). Subordinates use upward communication to:
• Convey their problems and performances to their superiors.
• Tell how well they have understood the downward communication.
• Share their views and ideas to participate in decision-making.
Examples include grievance redress systems, complaint and suggestion boxes, job satisfaction surveys, performance reports made by low-level management for review by higher-level managers, and employee attitude surveys.

iii. Lateral/Horizontal communication: This refers to the type of communication that takes place at the same level of hierarchy in an organization (i.e., communication between peers or managers at the same level). Its main benefits include:
• Saves time and enables sharing of information.
• Facilitates coordination of the task and cooperation amongst team members.
• Provides social and emotional assistance to the organizational members.
• Helps in solving various organizational problems.
• Can be used to resolve conflicts between /within departments.

iv. Diagonal communication: This refers to communication that crosses both levels and functions or departments where staff members from different departments interact with one another within the organization, irrespective of their reporting relationship (i.e., it is not affected by any lines of authority). For example, junior staff from the finance department can interact with a senior staff member from the operations department. Advantages include:
• May speed up the flow of information.
• Can help create a healthy environment and relationship.
• Can help build better coordination amongst staff members.
• Can help in solving problems easily as different ideas are brought together.
• Not easy to distort information as individuals are in direct contact with one another.

v. External communication: This refers to communication that takes place between managers and external groups, such as vendors, banks, customers, suppliers, etc. Advantages of external communication include:
• Used to communicate new information and news related to an organization’s customers, shareholders, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
• Can be used to build an organization’s image and workplace culture to its customers and other stakeholders through different media (e.g., newsletters, press releases, etc.).
• Used to create awareness of a company’s products or services to its audience /customers.

• AI communication is constrained by programmed rules, data biases, and design choices.
• Ethics depends on context, intent, and impact, which AI cannot fully evaluate.
• Human communication can be unethical, but it carries accountability, empathy, and moral reasoning that AI lacks.
AI should be treated as tool-guided, not inherently more ethical.