Study Notes

Communication in a Business (GCSE)

Level:
GCSE
Board:
AQA, Edexcel, OCR, IB

Last updated 22 Mar 2021

Communication can be defined as:

The process by which a message or information is exchanged from a sender to a receiver

Communication can be:

  • Internal: between people in the same business
  • External: with people outside the business

Internal communication is particularly important. It links together all the different activities involved in a business. It also aims to ensure that all employees are working towards the same goal and know exactly what they should be doing and by when.

Examples of internal communication include:

  • Formal meetings and briefings
  • E-mail
  • Intranets
  • Wikis, blogs, podcasts, internal social media tools
  • Informal meetings where employees can meet with senior management
  • Conference calls & webinars
  • Internal newsletters, brochures, and other printed materials
  • Team briefing sessions
  • Message boards
  • Training packs (e.g. induction materials)

External communication is where the business communicates with people & organisations outside of the business. This is closely linked with the idea of "stakeholders" – i.e. those who have an interest in the activities and results of the business

Examples of external communication include:

  • Press releases
  • Social media feeds
  • Online videos and webinars
  • Marketing materials (e.g. adverts, brochures, direct mailings)
  • Published financial information (e.g. accounts)
  • Letters, emails and telephone conversations with customers and suppliers
  • Reports to government and other agencies

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