Manderson PLC can communicate with their customers via email and the Internet. Although this should only be available for employees within the firm. There are some downfalls to this. Manderson PLC should be aware that some people are worried about their computer skills to cope in the modern environment. Others tend to worry that computers could replace people from work- creating a technological unemployment and some people assume that the increase in productivity that come with computerisation are making the workplace a more stressful place. These problems, if recognised should be dealt with by Manderson PLC hopefully.
One of the biggest changes of the last ten years has been the buying and selling on the Internet. Internet could make huge changes in the way Manderson PLC operates. The Internet Aids information and communication.
There are two main aspects to the interent, which Manderson PLC should take into consideration.
- The World Wide Web joins computers together so that any one can gain access to information made available about Manderson PLC elsewhere in the world.
- Email would let the company send messages quickly across the world.
Online shopping is a very good advantage for Manderson PLC to expand. E- commerce is growing. Firms can put details of their products on their website. Customers can browse through the product range, or search through the firm’s database using a keyword search to locate the products they want.
Products are ordered online using a credit card. Encryption software would change the credit card details into a code, which means no one can steal the credit card details to make unauthorised purchases. The products are then delivered to the customers. Manderson PLC could use the Internet to reduce business costs. By doing the business over the Internet Manderson PLC could reduce some of their fixed costs. This is due to the cost of downloading information paid by the Internet user not the provider. So things like sales brochures and product information no longer need to be printed and posted by Manderson PLC. Manderson PLC would be saving money because instead of employing people to give out information over the telephone, the company can save money by sacking some of the those people and pitting information online instead. The brand image of Manderson PLC is very important. One feature of the Internet is that it is nearly impossible to tell whether the website belongs to a trustworthy firm- unless you have actually heard of the business. People prefer to purchase products from producers they trust to provide a good level of service. Something which Manderson PLC could learn and take into consideration is that, as a result of the most well known e-commerce firms currently place quality of service above the need to make a short term profit- they are building up a favourable brand image. So if Manderson use this idea they could gradually progress and this could probably change. They could become a very popular department store.
Computerised electric telecommunications have created a global village in terms of the immediacy within which people across the world can share conversations, televised pictures, and interactive software on VDU’s, maps, graphics, and circuits. The process of making decisions has also increased in speed due to the instant access to databanks of information held in huge mainframe computer memory banks. A disadvantage to all of this would be that employees, managers’ etc wouldn’t have much time to properly understand and provide feedback to the large amounts of information inputted everywhere. Fax, email, telex, tele / video conferencing and telephone link ups now have a complex policy and strategy decisions which can be made across the world.
Due to the electronic technology, jobs, working locations and cultures are likely to change. The term ‘telecommuting’ is already being used for people who work from home, who are linked to the office by modem and computer terminal. Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN / WAN) messaging systems, fax, telex and view data communication modems used as a personal computer enable a manager, secretary etc to access world wide communication links without even having to move from their desk. Manderson PLC would find this very useful when considering the companies’ expansion in technology.
The amount of face to face oral communication, across the office desk or around tables will also decrease because of computer based videos, telephone or computer screen hook ups.
The advantages to this method are: -
- Speed of transmission (WAN)
- Versatility (Fax can transmit text, number, graphics, artwork and photographs all on one side of A4. Tele and computer conferencing provide interpersonal exchanges visually and via VDU screens).
- Accuracy (Instant message reading and checking of electronic circuits operating between sending and receiving equipment during the transmission of high speed ‘bits’ of the message in packet switching of computer data ensure the message is accurately received in remote locations).
- Feedback exchange (Computerised telecommunications allow for a virtually simultaneous exchange of information and responses).
The disadvantages to this are: -
- Volume of transmitted data (The volume of tele communicated information is increasing at such a fast rate that business personnel are unable to absorb it within the relevant time limits).
- Costs (Tele communicated messages have billing premiums placed upon them to pay for the enormous development and hardware investments made nationally and internationally. However, the cost of fax, telex, and communication modems etc is falling rapidly in an expanding market).
- Legal implications (Words printed on paper at source still have a legal currency that a faxed message does not).
- Instant delivery (The almost instant delivery of LAN / WAN email messages etc can cause upsets if messages are composed in anger and then unretreivable after being sent).
One method of internal electronic communication would be video conferencing. Videoconferencing is an interactive tool that uses video, computing and communication technologies to allow people in different locations to meet face to face and perform most of the same meeting activities they would perform if all the participants were in the same room. This would allow people working in one of the stores to communicate with other stores around the United Kingdom. The stores can get in touch and discuss their successes and what they could improve within the business.
Fax is a way of sending documents through the telephone system. In a large company it is often essential for documents and important reports to be seen immediately by an umber of employees. Fax is an instantaneous method of sending written information both between two offices in the same building and between two offices in different parts of the world. This will help Manderson PLC to communicate with other employees and discuss the success and goings on at the time, with other companies. If every company does he same, Manderson PLC could improve its sales and become a friendlier department store.
Leaflets can also be an important method of external communication because they can advertise the organisation and show the public in not too detailed written communication, what the business is about. Feedback can be given, if the sales of the business increase because the message in the leaflet was sent received. Manderson PLC could design leaflets using computers and promote their offers around the country. It is a very good way for the company to expand.
A tannoy is a way of broadcasting a short message to all the workers at once in for example, a large factory or warehouse. It might be used to warn people that the fire alarm is being tested. A tannoy is often used in large shops to request a member of staff to go to a certain part of the store. This is quicker than finding the worker in person. Sometimes, it can also be used to make customer announcements, which means that it falls into external communication as well as internal communication.
The advantages to this method of communication would be:
- It is easier to contact a member of staff.
- Easy to make an announcement as everyone will be told at once not individually.
- Loud so everyone can hear.
- Encourages organisations to use electronic means of communication.
The disadvantages to using a tannoy would be:
- Organisations would rely too much on using this method of communication, as it is more efficient than face-to-face communication.
- Has a high cost to purchase and run.
- Power failures could cause it to stop working, and slow down the speed of how the organisation works.
- Can be irritating to customers trying to do shopping.
- Interference from mobile phones could cause noise.
- Sound quality is not always clear.
This also has open channels as everyone can hear what the announcement is about. This is also a method of communication as the message being sent is spoken not written. Manderson PLC would find this very useful for contacting employees or customers around the store.
Developments in information and communication technology could change the way people work. Today's employees have much more information at their fingertips and can communicate information quickly and effectively.
Changes in ICT for Manderson PLC can often lead to increased productivity. This means Manderson PLC can be competitive.
