What is communication?
Communication is commonly defined as the exchange of information between people or organizations. When a buyer wishes to purchase goods from a manufacturer they will have to communicate their needs and requirements,whether that is in writing on a purchase order document or a spoken over the phone. Trade would be extremely difficult without some form of communication between organisations.
Why is communication important in trade?
Communication is one of the most important aids to trade, linking all traders that exist within the chain of production. The importance of many types of communication that exist to insure transactions take pace successfully. In all stages of trading they are needs to be effective communication between companies, their customers, their suppliers, and their staff.
What are the types of oral forms of communication?
There are two types:
▪︎ Direct oral communication: this is face-to-face communication and examples may include team briefings, meetings, interviews etc.
▪︎Indirect oral communication: this is where oral communication takes place but there is no direct face-to-face contact, for example, a conversation over the telephone.
▪︎Teleconferencing: this is an example of indirect oral communication where two or more people who are based in different places have a meeting across a telecommunications link. This is sometimes called audio-conferencing.
What are the advantages of teleconferencing?
Sharing new ideas by talking to your colleagues by telephone can lead to better solutions to problems. In conversation you can get immediate feedback to oral comments. It encourages cooperation.
What are the disadvantages of teleconferencing?
It can be an impersonal way of communicating particularly if discussing sensitive issues. There is no written evidence of what has been discussed. You can’t see the other persons body language. Usually the communication can only occur between a few people.
What is written communication?
A large amount of communication within organizations in written form.
What are reports used for in organizations?
Reports are used for many reasons in organisations. They provide a very detailed form of written communication. A report is a type of document written by one person or a group of people in an organisation. A common example of a report would be a ‘market research’ report.
What are memos?
Sometimes known as memorandums, memos are used internally within organisations as a formal messages between employees. Some organisations still use them but where they have the technology they have been replaced by email.
What are letters?
These are very widely used by companies to communicate with each other and within their own employees, for example to inform them of a change to their terms and conditions of employment.
What are notes?
These are large, eye-catching displays of information aimed at all people using the area where they are displayed.
What are visual forms of communication?
Visual communication is an effective, memorable and easy to understand form of communication.
What are signs, symbols and images are used for?
These are used regularly by all companies and a common way of communicating general messages that may affect everyone, for example, about health and safety at work.
What are graphs?
These are used to show trends or general information about a particular issue so that all readers can understand them.
What are diagrams or flowcharts used for?
These are used to show the sequence of a particular activity or process, or how products and services are provided.
What is a fax machine?
A fax machine, short for facsimile machine, is a telecommunications technology system that can transfer copies of documents containing written communication, diagrams, and pictures using telephone networks.
What are some limitations of fax machines?
The machine can run out of paper, and messages aren’t received if not supplied with paper. They are openly available to everyone within a company and are not suitable for sending confidential documents.Faxes can be picked up accidentally and may not be received by the person intended too.
What is email?
Email has become a popular method of communication at work and at home, allowing users to send messages via computer to others on a network. Messages sent by email are almost instantly delivered and are very secure only the person using the email address to which you send the message can access it 24 hour a day with the use of a password.
What are the disadvantages of email?
There are so many email now being sent and that an important email could be accidentally deleted. You cannot guarantee that the email will be read or even accessed. An email could contain a harmful electronic virus which my damage your computer system.
What is videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing is very like teleconferencing, it allows people in organisations to hold face-to-face discussions with other without being in the same room. It reduces the cost, time and inconvenience of travelling to a common meeting place. All that is needed is a special studio room which is link to another. As computer technology develops, employees maybe able to videoconference with others over the internet more easily, without specialist studio equipment and facilities.
How has the internet changed communications?
The internet also known as world wide web(www) has completely changed communications by enabling organizations to send and receive e-mails, download files, and contact customers worldwide.
What is the role of national postal services?
Every country has its own national postal service, which is essential for companies and private individuals.
What are some services provided by postal service providers?
Postal service providers offer a range of services including:
- Business reply service
- Freepost
- Certificates of posting
- Recorded delivery
- Registered service
What is telecommunications?
Telecommunications, particularly mobile telecommunication, is a growing industry that has significantly improved communication capabilities over the past 30 years.
What types of telephone services do companies typically use?
Most companies use some form of telephone service, including landline, digital, or mobile telephone.
