Ch. 9 Summary - Direct and Indirect Communication Strategies

When dealing with any kind of communication in the business world, you’re going to be dealing with two kinds of strategies. Direct and Indirect strategies and each has it’s reasons and strengths. Direct communication strategy lets you deliver a message quickly and usually in the beginning. The direct strategy should be used when you know your message will please the listener or will be neutral. There are a few different kinds of direct communication messages. One is requests for information or action. Another is claims and positive adjustments. And then there are good news or goodwill messages. There is a such thing as a negative direct message, but this should only be used when you know the audience well. Indirect strategy should be used when your message is going to be negative or bad for the receiver. If you have to refuse, reject or deny a request, you should go with the indirect strategy. A indirect message should open with a buffer, a brief positive statement or statement of appreciation. Then your reasons should follow for the bad news with the actual refusal following afterwards. There are a few types of Indirect negative messages. One is refusals/denials. Another is collections messages and social refusals are also one. When you want to persuade action, the indirect persuasive approach is usually best. This lets you audience know why they accept before they hear what you want. A few types of this message are sales messages, fund-raising messages and directive changes. Using these strategies should help you in the business world.