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Barriers to effective communication

Not all communications are effective. In many cases, communication fails to produce
the desired result and response. It is because of one or more barriers. Therefore, an
understanding of the factors that distort and reduce the effectiveness of communication
is essential for communicators.
The barriers to communications are those which make communication ineffective i.e.
not suitable for understanding. There may be changes in form, the style, the meaning,
the order and even in the time of delivery because of the barriers. The outcome is
distortion and delay.
The barriers to communications may be classified as under:
• Physical barriers: Related to the transmitter and environment.
• Socio-psychological barrier: Related to humans-the emotional and relational
problems of the sender and the receiver.
• Language and media barrier: Related to the formulation and expression of
message and its feedback.
3. Materials and office supplies

Materials and office supplies are needed by every type of office, whether big or small.
For smooth and effective operation of day to day work, availability of material is very
essential. Materials or supplies of different kinds needed by the office are writing
papers, carbon papers, photocopy papers, pads, inks, pencils gum, staplers, file covers,
stamps clippers, etc. They provide comfort and ease to the staff for the performance
of official works. Materials and supplies are available in different qualities, shapes
and sizes and under different brand names. Organization should establish the proper
system to ensure the regular supply of material in right quantity. It is necessary that
material should be managed in adequate quantity every time. Overstocking and
under stocking both are harmful for the organization.
There are many possibilities of waste in handling of office material. It is essential that
utmost care should be taken for the control of these materials. Generally the following
procedures are considered for effective handling of the office materials:
i. Selection of materials in terms of quantity and quality.
ii. Purchasing procedure and possible supplier.
iii. Storing of materials.
iv. Issuing materials and their quantity to various persons, units or departments.
v. Quantity used in office in a particular time.
Types of materials

There are two types of materials used in organizations on the basis of durability.
i. Durable materials: Those materials which last for more than one year are
known as durable materials. In comparison to non-durable, these materials are
costly and organizations pay more attention and follow quite formal process
to purchase them. They are not treated as expenses because they are known as

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