Author: Masudur Rashid

Have you ever played a game of “Chinese Whispers”? You say something to one person, they tell another, and by the time it reaches the last person, the message sounds completely different! Something similar can happen in offices when communication flows up and down through different levels of hierarchy. This, my friend, is where vertical communication comes in. Vertical communication is one of the most common types of communication in any organization. It connects managers, supervisors, and employees in a structured flow of information. It has many advantages, but it also brings a few disadvantages that can slow down communication.…

There is a proverb “Actions speak louder than words.” In essence, this underscores the importance of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is especially significant in intercultural situations. Researchers in communication suggest that many more feelings and intentions are sent and received non-verbally than verbally. Mehrabian and wiener following suggested that only 7% of message is sent through words, with remaining 93% sent non-verbal expressions (depending on the author, verbal part goes up to 35%). It has multiple advantages or functions: Advantages of non-verbal communication: Complementary: Non-verbal cues complement a verbal message by adding to its meaning. You can pat someone you…

The word ‘secretary’ has been originated from the Latin word ‘Secretarious’ which means ‘a person entrusted with a secret’ or ‘keeper of secrets. The dictionary meaning of the word Secretary is ‘one employed to write or transact business.’ Therefore, by the term ‘secretary’, we mean an officer who is generally entrusted with the responsibilities of writing and exchanging letters, maintain documents and performing confidential activities on behalf of someone or any organization. Today the scope of the functions of secretaries has been broadened to a large extent. Now, their functions are not confined only in performing some confidential functions. They…

Have you ever sat down to write a message and froze? You stare at the blank screen and wonder if you should be formal or casual. Should you add a salutation or just dive right in? It happens to the best of us. In the corporate world, choosing the right format is half the battle. If you send a stiff, formal letter to your close teammate, it looks weird. Conversely, if you send a casual note to a major client, it looks unprofessional. This brings us to the ultimate showdown in office correspondence: Memo vs. Business Letter. Understanding the distinction…

Emails may dominate today’s offices, yet the classic business letter has not vanished. Both serve important roles in professional communication, but they are not interchangeable. Knowing when to use a business letter and when an email is better can help you look more professional and effective. If you are just starting out, I suggest first checking my guide on the definition and role of business letters. That will give you a strong foundation. Here, we will focus on comparing letters and emails side by side. What Is a Business Letter? A business letter is a formal written document used for…