Describe the use of ICT for internal and external communications of the business and provide a detailed analysis of the impact of ICT on internal and external communications of the business (Sainsbury's)

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Describe the use of ICT for internal and external communications of the business and provide a detailed analysis of the impact of ICT on internal and external communications of the business

Businesses need to communicate with range of individuals and organisations including their functional areas, their competitors, suppliers and customers. If business needs to operate effectively they need to have good communication. Information and communication technology (ICT) has had a dramatic effect on the way communication takes place in business. ICT has changed the means of communicating within the business. Communication can be simply defined as the flow of information from one person to another.

Levels of communication simply refer to the sending and receiving of information at different points within an organisational structure. The ability of the sender to explain a message and the receiver to understand it are important in communication. If the message is supposed to be sent out by certain date, but the sender simply asks for as soon as possible, communication would not have been effective. Some times if the person doesn’t understand what order to take, incorrect goods may be sent due to lack of effective communication. Research into nature of communications in organisations indicates it is important to have both formal and informal communications.

Communications is replacing communication to ICT systems; ICT can be used to share some information. Functional areas can also share their information to other functional area. ICT incorporates the following as mediums of communication:

EMAIL-with email sent through a service provider, the sender forwards the document to the receiver’s email address, not directly to the recipient. Anyone who is connected to the Internet and has a modern can use email.

The advantages are

1) There is a permanent record that can be referred to later.

2) Messages can be sent and received rapidly

3) Can be copied for others.

4) Pictures or other attachments can be sent.

The disadvantages are:

1) People can read some private letters.

2) Takes time to produce

3) Messages may go onto another person

Sainsbury can use this method to email their customers. They can send newsletters about their new products and offers by email. Sainsbury can ask their customers to email queries and questions to them. Sainsbury should email large orders to their suppliers rather than talking through the phone as it can be misheard and cause problems.

MOBILE PHONES- these are a common medium as almost every has it. Mobile phone has become a part of everyday life for millions of people across the world. It can be used anywhere in the world to communicate with anyone. The advantages are:

It is easy, it has quick respond, and messages can be received, it is easy to handle. It gives more time to communicate through mobile phone.

The disadvantages are:  there are too many unwanted calls. It is also expensive.

SHARED DATABASES- these are used internally. They record information about the business. The records may be the following financial records, sales records and etc. it is stored in the computer and can be accessed by anyone. This can be done on database spreadsheets and other programs.  

Sainsbury’s Internet site: Sainsbury’s internet giver its customers information about the store. It gives information on the products, what offers it has. it gives information about how the business news are business events that may be taking place and news about colleagues.

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Business update: it is issued weekly through the internet site. It contains news about Sainsbury and also the other business. It gives all the information about how Sainsbury is doing with its financial records.

Internal and external communications

Internal communication is communication that takes place within an organisation. The two popular internal computer networks in organisations are peer-to-peer and client server networks.

Forms of internal communication

  • Verbal information- is communicated in face-to-face interactions, through telephone messages or recorded messages using answering machines and voicemail. It is quick
  • Written information- they cover a range of documents ...

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