Business Text Messaging and Berlo Model

Question: Discuss about the Business Text Messaging and Berlo Model. Answer: Introduction: Text messaging and other non-verbal types of communication are known to kill many businesses as receivers often misinterpret these messages. Several studies have indicated that as much as between 50 and 65 percent of communication at the workplace is nonverbal. The use of text messaging for business purposes, however, continues to grow, and business should use Berlo's communication model to how to solve this prevalent communication issue (Nei? Nei?, 2015; Boone et al., 2013). Berlos model best illustrates the reasons text messaging is a major communication issue and makes it possible to find the right solutions. It describes factors affecting individual components in communication and puts significant emphasis on encoding and decoding which always occurs before one sends a message and before the receiver gets it. Berlos model has four components, namely, sender, messenger, channel, and receiver, and each of these components is affected by a variety of factors (Matusitz, 2013; Daniels et al., 2014). This model demonstrates that where body language is part of the intended communication, text messaging should be avoided. One of the factors that affect both the sender and the receiver is communication skills. Both the sender and the receiver should have great communication skills for communication between them to be effective. If the sender is texting or sending an email, he should use clear and easy to understand language. The receiver should also be able to understand. Otherwise, there will be a communication barrier. Cultural issues and other factors can make it impossible to clearly know how to communicate with a new client (Madlock, 2011). The attitude of the sender and receiver towards themselves and their environments creates the effect of the message. Additionally, the familiarity with the subject of the message makes the sender pass across the message more effectively. In the absence of body language, a negative attitude of one of two parties can compromise the message (Guidelines for Special Issues of the Journal of Business Communication, 2010). Further, social systems and social factors such as religion, laws, and beliefs also affect the message. A person from one culture might find a text message offensive but find the same message pleasing when delivered face to face. This difference arises because body language might help to pass across the intended message (Kuhn, 2011). This component of the communication model can be in many other forms such as audio, video, or voice. In this case, it is the text or email that is being sent to the receiver. These are the nonverbal things often in the message such as signs and gestures. In the context of text messaging, there are often no elements making it difficult to capture some critical aspects of a message. The structure is the way a message has been arranged. It also affects the effectiveness of the message. The element refers to the way the message has been conveyed to the receiver. It can affect the feedback significantly. The term code refers the form in which the message is sent. In many cases in the current business environment, most people use text due to its cost-effectiveness. As has been shown above, the choice of code has an effect on the message. This component of this communication model refers to the medium used to send the message. Technical machines such as the internet and phones can be used in mass communication and some other forms of communication. The five senses of a human being affect the effectiveness of the channel in general communication (Esser Hanitzsch, 2012). Seeing: Receivers can perceive through the sense of sight Smelling: The sense of smelling is also good for collecting information Tasting: People also get information to be sent through taste. Hearing: People receive audio messages through hearing Touching: The human body uses senses in the skin to determine the physical characteristics of objects. This component is Berlos model is the individuals who get the message. According to this communication model, for communication to be effective, the thinking pattern and all other factors mentioned here have to be in sync to that of the sender and the receiver. The receiver must also have an excellent listening skill (Boone et al., 2013). Commonly Recognized Body Language and Application to Business Eye Contact: The eyes can express anything from interest and happiness to annoyance and pain. Where ones integrity is in questions, text messaging cannot be used to solve a problem. Staring, on the other hand, can be interpreted as too aggressive. These features are evident in person but are lost in a text (Mccabe Timmins, 2013). At the beginning of any interactions, this one should come into play to signal both goodwill and openness. In the end, it often signals agreement. Where one wants to demonstrate sincerity, palm-to-palm contact is preferred. This great cultural element is absent from emails and text messages. This body language always signals concern or lack of conviction. If a person is saying something and covering the mouth at the same time, he may be lying (Assaiante, 2012). Any message delivered with a hungry face has a completely different impact from one delivered with a smiling face. Smiley face emotions have been invented to help people set the right emotion while delivering any message. However, they do not usually work since the sincerity is lost. Crossed legs or folded arms may indicate a lack of interest and detachment. On the other hand, uncrossed arms and legs may indicate acceptance of your terms or your position. At the same time, an introvert will have their toes pointed out while an extrovert will have them pointed out. None of these gestures can come through in text messaging (Assaiante, 2012). Conclusion Text messages can be an efficient and appropriate business tools, but it should be used with great care. In a case where a 10-word text message can communicate a simple message efficiently, texting could be the right option. However, many business processes such as negotiating a contract, managing employees, opening and closing sales are quite complicated and do not require just a few words. References Assaiante, J. G. (2012). Body Language. Body Language. doi:10.3726/978-1-4539-0214-1 Boone, L. E., Kurtz, D. L., Khan, M. H., Canzer, B. M. (2013). Contemporary business. Etobicoke, Ont.: Wiley. Daniels, D., Hunter, A., McGhie, V., Horn, J. M., Jaarsveldt, M. V., Vuuren, T. V. (2014). 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