Communication
Business: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 2.1.1
Communication in Businesses
Communication is the transfer of messages within or across organisations.
Forms of communication
- Internal communication.
- Communication within a business.
- External communication.
- Communication between businesses.
- Vertical communication.
- Communication sent between employees at different levels in the organisational structure.
- Horizontal communication
- Communication between employees at the same level in the organisation structure.
Effective communication
- Effective communication is vital for the overall efficiency of a business. Communication is needed for the following:
- Customer satisfaction.
- Customers are happy with their relationship with the business.
- Clarity for staff.
- Employees understand their position in the business clearly.
- Motivation for staff.
- Employees become more motivated if they know their senior staff are actively listening to their input.
Barriers to effective communication
- Effective communication is limited by several factors.
- If there is too little communication, staff feel ignored and do not understand what is happening in the company.
- If there is too much communication, staff may feel overwhelmed and confused.
- If messages are vague or confusing, communication is ineffective.
Methods to improve communication
- If communication is ineffective, the business will suffer from increased costs and overall inefficiency.
- To improve communication, staff should be trained in how they should send a message.
- Types of media, e.g. e-mail, phone call, face-to-face. -Staff should also be trained in how to convey their message clearly.
Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT)
- ICT can connect people from across the globe and make existing processes quicker and easier.
- E-commerce means products are more accessible to the customer.
- Businesses could use e-commerce to penetrate international markets.
- The developments in ICT means it is easier to send messages than before.
- But, businesses should be wary that ICT does not lead to too much information. This could be overwhelming.