Communication has been described as the lifeblood of an organization. Without it, an organization is lifeless. It is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with others. The sender is the person who sends the message, the message is the information to be conveyed, the channel is the method of sending the message, and the receiver is the person to whom the message is being sent. If there are no receivers to a message, then it is automatically assumed that no communication has taken place. Both senders and receivers are very Important to the communication process. Communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information.

1. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 1
The Importance of Communication in Organization and Business
Author: Shaun Mashale
1. Introduction
Communication is also the glue that holds an organization together. It is a major part of
what makes organizations successful and is often a major cause of failure. It is a primary
tool used by leaders to affect the behaviour and performance of their followers and is
crucial to achieving the goals of the organization. High-quality communication has a
positive impact on every aspect of an organization, and poor communication is a major
cause of dissatisfaction and, in many cases, the downfall of the organization.

2. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 2
Communication has been described as the lifeblood of an organization. Without it, an
organization is lifeless. It is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with
others. The sender is the person who sends the message, the message is the information to
be conveyed, the channel is the method of sending the message, and the receiver is the
person to whom the message is being sent. If there are no receivers to a message, then it is
automatically assumed that no communication has taken place. Both senders and
receivers are very Important to the communication process. Communication is successful
only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information.
An organization Is made up of many systems that work together to help it function and
achieve its goals. Organizational communication is a major component of these systems
and is necessary for an organization to be successful. Communication within an
organization involves the sending and receiving of messages between two or more people.
It is a process that takes place at all levels of the organization, transcending the individual,
interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels, and it is an activity which is central to the
existence and survival of organizations.
1.1. Definition of Communication
The word communication has been derived from the Latin word “communis”, which means
common. Thus, communication means sharing ideas in common. The basic of successful
communication is that the message the sender wants to convey, and the message that the
recipient understood, are the same. If this occurs, the act of communication has taken a
successful step. A more general definition of communication is the process of sending and
receiving messages. In other words, communication is a means to bridge the gap between
the ideas and target of a person with that of the others. Communication is the process in
which data is encoded from the sender and is sent to the receiver by the medium selected;
the receiver then decodes the message according to his perception. Every one of the
aspects of a manager’s job involves some form of communication.
Managers communicate with other employees, superiors, and suppliers to obtain and
exchange the information needed to analyse and solve problems. A manager coordinates
the work activities of his subordinates. Because coordination involves harmonizing
individual efforts, it is always done through direct or indirect communication. A manager
also motivates employees to carry out their assignments, influence is merely verbal or
written communication aimed at changing the attitudes and/or behaviour of others, and

3. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 3
motivation is a kind of influence. Communication in the work of a manager involves the
sending and receiving of messages.
The manager must be continually engaged in encoding and decoding messages about what
needs to be done, how and when it should be done, and who should do it. He encodes
messages to give instructions, reprimands or praise. He decodes messages when
interpreting the reactions of his subordinates to his own behaviour and when trying to
understand their often ambiguous attempts to let him know their own needs and concerns.
All managers are found to spend a major portion of their working hours in communication
and for many, it is their primary work activity. They are continually interacting with others
and most of this interaction is communication.
1.2. Importance of Communication in Organizations
Communication is generally defined as the process of sending and receiving messages.
Communication is a very important part of a person’s, an organization’s, or a business’s
life; it is impossible to exist without communication. In an organization, people work in
teams usually and teams are assigned for specific tasks. In a team, every individual is
assigned a task and to get that task done they need to communicate with each other. If
there is no communication between the team members, the task cannot be done
successfully. Even in a case of an individual worker, he needs to communicate with his
supervisor as to how he has to do the task assigned to him. A lab technician cannot
conduct an experiment unless he knows what the doctor wants him to do.
A patient cannot express his exact problems to a doctor unless the doctor asks him in
detail, and so on. These are the various scenarios in an organization where the importance
of communication is clearly visible. A task is successful only when the instructions have
been understood and carried out by the other person(s) in the manner it was supposed to.
Instructions are often misunderstood and it is a fact that a major reason for this is the lack
of effective communication skills in a person. A person who is good in communication can
explain his point of view in a manner that is understandable to others. He can convince
others more easily.
Communication does not involve only talking. Listening is also a very important part of
communication. A good listener is a good communicator. Things like feedback, various
meetings and clear interaction between higher and lower level persons in an organization
also help to solve various problems however complex they may be. Feedback provides a
chance to review the tasks that have been done and the necessary steps to be taken to

4. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 4
solve a problem are easier to understand with interaction between employees. A general
manager might come to know about the sentiments and problems of employees from a
lower level person only if they have good interaction. These are some of the many scenarios
which show the importance of communication in an organization.
1.3. Importance of Communication in Business
The success of an organization is determined by how effective is the management. And
management itself is essentially an exercise in communication. In all the functions of
management, the manager has to take the help of communication. He can’t let the
members of his group know what is to be done and how to do… unless there is
communication. In directing people too, there is always a possibility of understanding and
carrying out the orders, provided there is effective communication. Any executive at any
level in any organization has to spend great part of his time in communication. In short, one
can say “management is largely a process of communication.”
In any business organization, the importance of effective communication is immeasurable
as the organization itself. The accuracy in the decision making is directly proportional to the
quality of information transpired and comprehended by the managers for the purpose of
making those decisions. And this is one of the primary tasks of all managers, to collect
information, discuss it, reach a decision and lastly, to convey this decision to the
subordinates and others concerned. Miscommunication can lead to confusion. Clear and
precise communication is absolutely essential for achieving the goals of an organization.
Whether it is the motivation of employees, the increase in production quality or quantity, or
the decision to launch a new product, the business will likely not achieve such goals
without having a clear understanding in what it wants to do. Ultimately, without
communication, an organization has no direction or goal. It is important to stress the
importance of communication in any relationship, be it personal or professional. Often
times, it is the level of communication and the degree of openness to new ideas that can
determine the success or failure of a project.
2.Communication serves as the lifeline for both organizations and businesses, acting as
the adhesive that binds them together. It is instrumental in determining their success or
failure. One compelling example of the significance of communication is evident in
academic institutions like North West University and governmental funding agencies like

5. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 5
NSFAS. Effective communication within these entities is crucial for their functioning and
overall success.
2.1 Communication in Academic Institutions: A Case Study of North West University
At North West University, communication plays a pivotal role in various aspects of
academic life. From disseminating important information to fostering collaboration among
students and faculty, effective communication is essential. For instance, clear
communication channels ensure that students receive timely updates regarding academic
schedules, course requirements, and administrative procedures. Without effective
communication, students may face confusion, leading to frustration and hindered
academic progress.
Moreover, within the academic community, communication facilitates the exchange of
ideas and knowledge. It encourages intellectual discourse, collaboration on research
projects, and the sharing of academic resources. Through effective communication,
students and faculty members can engage in meaningful discussions, debates, and
collaborative endeavours, enriching the academic environment and fostering a culture of
learning and innovation.
Furthermore, communication is vital for maintaining transparency and accountability
within academic institutions. Clear communication channels ensure that stakeholders are
well-informed about institutional policies, decisions, and initiatives. This transparency
fosters trust and confidence among students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders,
contributing to a harmonious and conducive academic environment.
In summary, North West University serves as a compelling example of how effective
communication is essential for the successful functioning of academic institutions. From
facilitating administrative processes to fostering collaboration and transparency,
communication plays a central role in ensuring academic excellence and institutional
success.
T

6. The Importance of communication in business and organisations
Shaun Mashale: The Philosopher 6
2.2 Communication in Governmental Funding Agencies: A Case Study of NSFAS
NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is a critical governmental funding agency
tasked with providing financial assistance to South African students pursuing higher
education. Effective communication is paramount for NSFAS to fulfil its mandate
successfully and ensure equitable access to education for all deserving students.
Clear communication channels are essential for disseminating information about NSFAS
programs, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and funding disbursement processes.
Without effective communication, eligible students may remain unaware of available
financial aid opportunities, leading to missed chances for higher education and
socioeconomic advancement.
Moreover, communication plays a crucial role in addressing the concerns and queries of
students, parents, educational institutions, and other stakeholders regarding NSFAS
policies and procedures. Timely and accurate communication helps mitigate
misunderstandings, alleviate grievances, and build trust and confidence in the agency's
operations.
Furthermore, communication enables NSFAS to collect feedback from stakeholders,
assess the effectiveness of its programs, and identify areas for improvement. By actively
listening to the voices of students and other stakeholders, NSFAS can adapt its policies
and procedures to better meet the evolving needs and challenges of the education sector.
In summary, NSFAS exemplifies the importance of communication in governmental
funding agencies. Through clear and transparent communication, NSFAS can fulfil its
mission of expanding access to higher education and empowering South African students
to pursue their academic aspirations.
4. Conclusion
The case studies of North West University and NSFAS underscore the critical role of
communication in both organizations and businesses. Whether in academic institutions or
governmental agencies, effective communication is essential for fostering collaboration,
transparency, accountability, and success. By recognizing the importance of
communication and investing in robust communication strategies, organizations and
businesses can navigate challenges, achieve their goals, and contribute to positive societal
impact.