Which of these is an example of formal communication within a business?

• A. A casual chat between colleagues
• B. A strategy email from the CEO sent to all employees
• C. A notice posted on the break room board
• D. A poster in the lobby

Answer: (B)

Formal communication in business is the official, planned exchange of information that uses proper channels, is written or recorded, and is intended to be authoritative and traceable. The strategy email from the CEO to all employees fits this perfectly: it comes from a senior leader, is written in a professional tone, is sent through a formal channel to everyone in the organization, and creates a written record of the strategic message that others can reference.

Casual chats between colleagues are informal because they’re spontaneous, spoken, and usually not recorded. A notice on the break room board is informal and may not be distributed to everyone or carry the same official weight. A poster in the lobby is more about broad visibility than delivering an official strategic message to the whole workforce.

So, the CEO’s strategy email is the best example of formal communication.