Unit V channel choice strategy

Reading_________________________________________________________

Write out any terms that you did not understand in the reading. Look at its context, and try to figure out the meaning. Discuss these terms with your classmates.

Channel choice strategy9

Channel choice refers to the choice of medium through which you send your message. In the past, this strategic choice was basically between two channels: writing and speaking. Today, many more channels exist - including fax, email, voicemail, electronic meetings, and video teleconferencing. These new channels have changed how we think about channel choice. For example, traditional writing is usually fairly reserved and controlled; email, however, may be informal and spontaneous. Before you choose a channel from among this expanded set of alternatives, think about these general questions. Do you need to: Be formal or informal? Receive an immediate response or not? Elicit high audience participation or not? Have, a "rich" communication or not? Have a permanent record or not? Use a channel preferred by your audience or their culture?

Writing channels include traditional writing, fax, email, and web page.

1. Traditional writing

Advantages of traditional writing: Choose writing when you want to use precise wording and grammar, because you can edit; save time for your audience; have a private communication,

Disadvantages of traditional writing: If you write, you will have delayed transmission time, a delayed response, if any, no nonverbal communication.

2. Facsimile (fax)

Advantages: Same as traditional writing, but with faster transmission time.

Disadvantages: Same as traditional writing, but usually less private; may not reproduce graphics precisely.

3. Electronic mail (email)

Advantages: Same as traditional writing, plus less likely to take much preparation time; more likely to contact people in all levels of an organization; more likely to include written nonverbal cues by using "emoticons," such as :-) ;-( ; easy for audience to respond quickly;

Disadvantages: may be hard to read because less likely to edit, full of typos and mistakes, and, more importantly, lack of logical frameworks for the reader - such as headings and transitions; may include email jargon the reader does not understand - such as BTW ("by the way") or LOL ("laughing out loud"); may be sent to the wrong person by mistake.

4. Web page

• Advantages: Provides easy access to document at all times, can reach audiences you don't know.

• Disadvantages: Least personal and private written channel, usu­ally one-way communication, not addressed to specific audience; readers have to look for it.

Speaking to a group.

Speaking to a group includes tell/sell presentations, consult/join meetings, videoconferences, audioconferences, broadcasting or webcasting, electronic meetings, email meetings

1. Tell/sell presentations

Advantages: Compared to writing, choose presentations when you want to control if and when the message is received and have your audience hear the same information at the same time; receive an immediate and interactive response;

Disadvantages: Presentations are less private and confidential than writing, require that the audience must be in the same place, do not allow as much detail as writing, because listeners cannot assimilate as much detail as readers.