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Difference between formal and informal Business communication

Difference between formal and informal communication are as follows:

Subject	Formal Communication	Informal Communication
1.Definiation	When communication takes place through the formal official channels then it is known as formal communication.	Any communication by passing the formal channels can be termed as informal communication.
2.Flexibility	Formal communication is not flexible.	It is flexible.
3.Degree of control	Formal communication is totally controlled by the management.	It cannot be controlled like formal communication.
4.Evidence	It has documentary evidence.	It has no documentary evidence.
5.Discipline	Official discipline is strictly maintained in formal communication.	Official decorum and discipline are not followed.
6.Flow of information	In formal communication information can flow only upward and downward.	But in informal communication information flows freely to all direction.
7.Speed	Here speed of communication is slow.	Informal channels are very fast; here information can be transmitted instantly.
8.secrecy	In case of formal communication secrecy can be maintained.	Here maintaining secrecy is very difficult.
9.Rumor	There is no scope for creation of rumor in formal communication.	Due to its flexible nature rumor can be created.
10.Distortion	Generally information is not distorted.	As official decorum is not followed information can be distorted.
11.Time	It is time consuming.	Less time is taken for transmitting information.
12.Misunderstanding	In case of formal communication caution, there is almost no chance of misunderstanding.	Due to lack of control misunderstanding can takes place?
13.Cost	It is expensive.	It is less expensive than formal communication.
14.Mistakes	As official discipline is maintained chance of mistakes is very low.	On the other hand, as strict rules are not followed possibility of mistakes is very high.