Communication in a Business (GCSE)

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