Email and Business Communication

Name: Email and Business Communication
Author: KnowledgeCity

Learn how emails can be used for corporate communication

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 7 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(light upbeat music) What does a professional email look like? In the following lessons, you'll learn how to send an appropriate email by identifying your recipient, purpose and tone. With the knowledge you gain from these lessons, you'll be able to determine if an email is the best channel for your message and how to write an email that is clear and direct. There are many forms of communication that people use at work, home, or in other circumstances. People communicate for four main reasons: to inform, to influence others, to express their feelings, and to meet social expectations. Business communication follows the same basic principles. Business communication is a specific type of communication. To communicate successfully in the business world and to best represent the company, professionals can follow recommended guidelines so they can present their best selves to their coworkers, colleagues, clients, and superiors. In the modern workplace, many business interactions happen through online platforms. According to a study by the "Harvard Business Review", CEOs spend 24% of their time communicating electronically with video conferencing, phone calls and emails at the top of that list. Despite the rise of other technologies, emails are still a prominent form of communication in the business world. When professionals take the time to learn good email practices, messages can be effectively transmitted to clients or coworkers in a respectful and efficient way. There are four main types of business communication: upward, downward, lateral, and external. Upward, downward, and lateral communication are all internal forms of communication, meaning that they happen within the organization. External communication occurs between someone inside the company and someone outside of the organization, like a client or customer. Upward communication involves an employee with a lower professional status communicating information to an employee with a higher professional status. For example, an employee sending a work report to a manager. Downward communication involves an employee with a higher professional status communicating information to an employee with a lower professional status. For example, a supervisor sending a performance review to one of their team members. Lateral communication involves communicating information between employees of similar rank. For example, an employee sending a work-related question to another employee with the same professional responsibilities. External communication involves all communication to and from people outside the organization. This can include clients, investors, lawyers, and the general public. For example, a company sending out a press release about a change to their product or service. Individuals that recognize these four different forms of communication can tailor their language to meet the expectations of their audience. This awareness increases the professional integrity of an organization, and ensures that all business interactions are efficient and effective.

Beginner Provider : KnowledgeCity 7 Lessons · 20m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Knowing how to write a professional email is an important part of business communication. In these lessons, you will learn how to identify your email recipient and the purpose of your message to craft an email for the right time, using an appropriate tone.

What You'll Learn

Identify your email recipient and the purpose of your message before writing
Craft an appropriate email by considering recipient, purpose, and timing
Write emails in a professional and appropriate tone
Recognize common email mistakes and how to avoid them
Determine when an email is necessary and when another form of communication is better
Use email effectively for corporate and business communication

Key Takeaways

Knowing how to write a professional email is an important part of business communication.
An effective email is shaped by identifying the recipient, the purpose, and the right time to send it.
Using an appropriate, professional tone is essential to clear business emails.
Emails should be clear and direct, and common email mistakes can be avoided.
Email is not always the right channel; another form of communication can sometimes be used instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn how to identify your email recipient and the purpose of your message, craft an email for the right time using an appropriate tone, write in a professional tone, avoid common email mistakes, and recognize when an email is necessary versus when another form of communication can be used instead.

What topics or lessons does this course cover?

The course covers Corporate Communication Using Email, Identifying Your Email Recipient, Email Purpose and Time, Email Tone, Clear and Direct Emails, Necessary Emails, and a Test Your Knowledge lesson.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone who wants to improve their business communication by learning how to write professional emails.

Does this course explain when not to use email?

Yes. The course helps you understand when an email is necessary and when another form of communication can be used instead.

Is there a way to check my understanding at the end?

Yes. The course includes a Test Your Knowledge lesson.