STUDENTS' CORNER - 185
Now,
we will briefly look into another important ‘C’ of communication skills;
Concrete.
To
avoid confusion and ambiguity in communication, experts recommend concrete
words in communication. In business communication in particular ambiguity must
be totally avoided. Take the sentence: If a minimum number of pieces are not
sold for a month, the company is likely to lose a significant amount.
Of
course, this sentence gives a warning, we understand; more than that, it
conveys nothing; there is some meaning for the sentence but it does not make
sense. That is, the reader will not be able to interpret the sentence sensibly.
On the other hand, let us rephrase the sentence in the following way. If the
company does not manage to sell a minimum of 98 pieces a month, the company
stands to lose a sum of Rs 7, 500 in the total turnover leading to a
proportionate loss in profit to the company.ÂÂ
You can see the difference between the two sentences. One sentence
appears to convey something but actually it does not. The other sentence does
convey exact information it aims to convey. This is what is meant when we say
the communication must be concrete in its message.
Lots
of people witnessed the final match between India and Pakistan; again it is not
clear how many witnessed; on the other hand, a good report says 5, 80, 000
people saw the final match. This is only
to say that concrete expressions focus on exactness in details which is a must
to avoid any misinterpretation.
To
be concrete in communication you have to have all details, all relevant
information which cannot be doubted; and concrete communication impresses the
reader both in terms of the facts and of the writer. He loved me so much; I owe
him a lot; a staggering herd of animals were running helter skelter. All these
sentences are grammatically correct; but they lack exactness. It only means
that they seem to say something but in fact they say nothing.
In
our next session we shall move on to another important factor in communication
skills.
