Business Communication in the Internet Age

1.IntroductionAccording to Collins English Dictionary, the verb to communicate means: to impart (knowledge) or exchange (thoughts, feelings, or ideas) by speech, writing, gestures, etc.; to allow (a feeling, emotion, etc.) to be sensed (by) willingly or unwillingly; transmit (to) and to have a sympathetic mutual understanding [. ] (Collins English Dictionary, 2010: 348). In the same dictionary, the definition of the internet states: "the single worldwide computer network that interconnects other computer networks, on which end-user services, such as the World Wide Web sites or data archives, are located, enabling data and other information to be exchanged. Also known as: the Net (Collins English Dictionary, 2010: 857). Business communication skills, on the other hand, refer to the ability to express yourself so that other people will understand; at the same time they convey information to the others in an effective and efficient way. It is a well-known fact that business managers with good verbal, non verbal and written communication skills help facilitate the sharing of information between people within a company for its commercial benefit (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, 1995). Most specialists in the field appreciate that business communication skills fall into three basic categories: "organizational communication skills," "leadership communication skills," and "interpersonal communication skills. " (Ober, 2001; Angell, 2004; and others)According to the literature, organizational communication skills are those skills an organization uses to effectively communicate with all internal and external stakeholders, permitting coordination among people and organized behavior. The most frequently cited Organizational Communication Skills are the following: 1. Initiating open discussion 2. Resolving conflict 3. Creating information networks 4. Teaching important skills 5. Using information technology 6. Providing performance feedback 7. Negotiating 8. Writing business correspondence 9. Making convincing presentations.The same authors claim that leadership communication skills are those skills that allow business leadership to effectively communicate with employees and key external constituents employing communication methods including stories, informality, metaphors, openness, and strategic dialogue to create trusting and supportive relationships among colleagues and staff. Here are some examples of the most frequently quoted Leadership Communication Skills: 1. Arousing enthusiasm 2. Being a change catalyst 3. Creating group synergy 4. Building team bonds 5. Expressing encouragement 6. Providing motivation 7. Being persuasive 8. Building optimism.The definition used in literature states that interpersonal communication skills are those skills that allow business organization members to effectively communicate to internal and external constituents on a personal, intimate, and one-on-one basis, exchanging thoughts in face-to-face verbal and non verbal contexts by sharing information, providing feedback, or simply maintaining a social relationship. We can mention some of the most well-known Interpersonal Communication Skills: 1. Active listening 2. Building rapport 3. Demonstrating emotion self control 4. Building trust 5. Relating to people of diverse backgrounds.It is a fact that in order to become a truly successful professional, one needs to master business communication skills. As a result, the element of communication plays a vital part in an organization. People working in an organization know how essential a role business communication skills play in a business set up.Effective leadership aims at developing excellent communication skills. People at senior positions in the organizational hierarchy need to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to the staff. Thus, it is obvious that a message cannot be conveyed effectively without possessing communication skills. …