Principles of Effective Communication (7 C's)

The 7C's of communication are the principles of effective communication .

These are :
1. Completeness  
2. Conciseness 
3. Consideration 
4. Clarity.
5. Concreteness
6. Courtesy
7. Correctness


1. COMPLETENESS : 
This principle states that communication must be complete in all aspects . It should convey all facts required by the audience. The sender of the message must take into consideration the receiver’s mind set and convey the message accordingly. 
A complete communication has following features:

  • Complete communication develops and enhances reputation of an organization.
  • A complete communication always gives additional information wherever required. It leaves no questions in the mind of receiver.
  • Complete communication helps in better decision-making by the audience/readers/receivers of message as they get all desired and crucial information.

2. CONCISENESS - 

Conciseness is a necessity for effective communication. 

Avoid writing long sentences that can be hard to follow .

Focus on brevity, using as few words as possible to get your point across accurately.

Concise communication has following features:
  • It is both time-saving as well as cost-saving.
  • It underlines and highlights the main message as it avoids using excessive and needless words.
  • Concise communication provides short and essential message in limited words to the audience.
  • Concise message is more appealing and comprehensible to the audience.
  • Concise message is non-repetitive in nature.

3. CONSIDERATION -


Consider whom the audience is when communicating in a business environment. 

EXAMPLE-

If a medical professional is discussing health care matters with consumers, they cannot expect audience to understand complex medical terminology or have a clinical attitude toward their own well-being. 

  1. Choose language that audience will understand and use an approach that they’ll be receptive to hearing.
  2. Make an attempt to envisage your audience, their requirements, emotions as well as problems. Ensure that the self-respect of the audience is maintained and their emotions are not at harm. 
  3. Modify words in message to suit the audience’s needs while making the message complete. 



Features of considerate communication are as follows:
  • Emphasize on “you” approach.
  • Empathize with the audience and exhibit interest in the audience. This will stimulate a positive reaction from the audience.
  • Show optimism towards your audience.
  • Emphasize on “what is possible” rather than “what is impossible”. Lay stress on positive words such as jovial, committed, thanks, warm, healthy, help, etc.

4.CLARITY - 


Clarity implies emphasizing on a specific message or goal at a time, rather than trying to achieve too much at once. 

Clarity in communication should be used as :

  • It makes understanding easier.
  • Complete clarity of thoughts and ideas enhances the meaning of message.
  • Clear message makes use of exact, appropriate and concrete words.

5. CONCRETENESS-
Concrete communication implies being particular and clear rather than fuzzy and general. Concreteness strengthens the confidence. 

This is often supported by factual material such as research data and figures. The words used as well as the sentence structure can be interpreted univocally. Nothing is left to the imagination.


Concrete message has following features:
  • It is supported with specific facts and figures.
  • It makes use of words that are clear and that build the reputation.
  • Concrete messages are not misinterpreted.

6.COURTESY - 

Courtesy is the use of terms that show respect for the receiver contribute towards effective business communication. 

The same goes for the manner in which to address someone. By using the word ‘they’ a larger audience is immediately addressed.


Courteous message has following features:
  • Courtesy implies taking into consideration both viewpoints as well as feelings of the receiver of the message.
  • Courteous message is positive and focused at the audience.
  • It makes use of terms showing respect for the receiver of message.
  • It is not at all biased.

7. CORRECTNESS - 
A correct use of language has the preference. In written business communication, grammatical errors must be avoided and stylistic lapses or a wrong use of verbs are not sufficient either in verbal communication. A correct use of language increases trustworthiness and the receiver will feel that they are taken seriously.Correctness in communication implies that there are no grammatical errors in communication.


Correct communication has following features:
  • The message is exact, correct and well-timed.
  • If the communication is correct, it boosts up the confidence level.
  • Correct message has greater impact on the audience/readers.
  • It checks for the precision and accurateness of facts and figures used in the message.
  • It makes use of appropriate and correct language in the message.