Internal vs External Communication | Examples

Definition

Internal vs external communication are two types of business communication. Internal communication refers to communication within a company. While external communication refers to communication between a company and the outside world.

• Internal communication: It is communication within a company between employees, departments, and/or shareholders.
• External communication: It is communication between a company and the public, including customers, suppliers, or the media.

Examples

Here are a few examples of internal and external communication:

Internal Communication:

• Employee Handbooks
• Company Policies
• Employee Newsletters
• Internal Memos
• Emails

External Communication:

• Company website
• Press releases
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Customer service

Key Difference: Internal vs External communication

There are a few key differences between internal and external communication.

• Internal communication is generally more formal than external communication. This is because companies want to maintain a professional image and keep their internal affairs private.
• External communication is usually more one-way than internal communication. Rather than having a two-way conversation. Because companies use external communication to share information with the public.

• Internal communication: This is the communication that takes place within an organization. Also, the usual face-to-face, telephone, fax, or mail. And, modern organizations may use technology to communicate internally. Technology is useful for e-mails or linked internal communication.
• External communication: Communication between the organization and those outside the organization. They communicate with other businesses can be through telephone, fax, internet, etc.

• Internal communication is important for many reasons. It can help to build a positive corporate culture, increase employee engagement, and improve morale. It can also help to ensure that everyone is on the same page, literally and figuratively.
• External communication is important for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. It can also help to generate positive publicity and build brand awareness.

Comparison Table

Internal vs external communication Strategies

There are two types of communication strategies: internal and external.

• Internal communication strategies are used to communicate within an organization
• External communication strategies are used to communicate with people outside of the organization.

Each type of communication has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

1. Internal communication is typically faster and more efficient since it doesn’t have to go through the same channels as external communication.
2. However, external communication is often more effective at reaching a wider audience.
3. The best communication strategy depends on the situation. In some cases, internal communication may be the best option. For example, if you need to communicate a change in company policy to employees, it would be most efficient to do so internally.
4. In other cases, external communication may be the better choice. For example, if you’re trying to build support for a new product launch, you’ll need to reach people outside of the company. In this case, external communication would be more effective.

Conclusion

Both internal and external communication is important for a successful business. The key is to strike a balance between the two and to ensure that each type of communication is aligned with the company’s strategy.