Business Communication Report: Information Types, Sources, and Issues

This report delves into the multifaceted realm of business communication, focusing on the identification of different types of business information, their respective sources, and the purposes they serve within an organizational context. The report analyzes both internal and external communication methods, emphasizing the importance of effective information management in achieving organizational goals, specifically using Primark as a case study. It also examines the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of business information, including relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Furthermore, the report outlines various operational issues related to information management, such as security and health and safety, and contrasts electronic and non-electronic communication methods. The report provides a comprehensive overview of business communication principles and practices.

Business Communication

Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Task 1.....................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Different types of business information, their sources and purposes....................................3
Task 3.....................................................................................................................................................4
P5 Explain the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business information................5
Task 4.....................................................................................................................................................6
P6 Explain the operational issues in relation to the use of business information........................6
P7 Outline electronic and non-electronic methods for communicating business information....6
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................7
REFERRENCES........................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
Business communication defines most organizations, resulting in effective marketing
campaigns, productive interpersonal relationships among co-workers and successful customer
service resolutions. Because audiences demand different kinds of communications in
different situations and settings, effective business communication professionals understand
how to tailor messages for maximum results (Bovee, 2010). The present report based on
Primark which is one of the leading retail corporation and conduct its operations in to United
Kingdom. The main aim of this report is to identity various types of information, its sources
(Welch, 2012). The significance of different approaches and corporate communication in
order to make strategic and functional decision making.
Task 1
P1 Different types of business information, their sources and purposes
Information systems provide companies with internal and external benefits. Internally, they
help to streamline, focus and coordinate the activities of employees and different
organizational departments. In turn, companies benefit from having a more efficient
workforce, which allows them to focus more time and efforts on external affairs such as
marketing, sales and establishing a market presence (Guffey and Loewy, 2010). Therefore, it
is the responsibility of Primark is to manage this information in order to attain organizational
goals and objectives. There are different types of business information which are given
below:
Verbal information: The sharing of information between individuals by using speech.
Individuals working within a business need to effectively use verbal communication that
employs readily understood spoken words, as well as ensuring that the enunciation, stress and
tone of voice with which the words are expressed is appropriate.
Meetings: Generally meeting means an occasion when people come together to discuss or
decide something. Meeting member to get together and discuss about a problem or issue or a
special matter (Grunig, 2013). Primark is required that to conduct meeting at different level in
order to solve various issues in an effective manner.
Presentations: The formal presentation of information is divided into two broad categories:
Presentation Skills and Personal Presentation. These two aspects are interwoven and can be

described as the preparation, presentation and practice of verbal and non-verbal
communication.
Written information: Written communication allows businesses to communicate
developments, expectations and legalities to employees and contacts in the outside world.
Email Communication: Email has become a common form of written communication in
business because of its rapid delivery, ease of use and ability to reach large audiences. The
storage of business email has become increasingly important as email has become “equally
admissible” in court as formal paper documents (Du, Bhattacharya and Sen, 2010).
Task 2
P2 Covered in PPT
Task 3
P3 Covered in PPT
P4 Evaluate the external corporate communications of an existing product or service
External business communication refers to what and how you communicate with audiences
outside business. Each audience segment should be defined so you can tailor the most
effective method of reaching it. For example, investors and analysts would be interested in
your annual report, but customers might be more interested in a new product announcement.
Other external audiences for you to consider are prospective customers, media, other business
or community organizations and the general public.
Communication about Price: The price of their products and services by using
advertisements in print media and on television, radio and the Internet. Offers, such as buy-
one-get-one-free tactics, typically increase sales (Griffin and et.al., 2010). Other incentives,
such as bonus points or coupons, help generate customer loyalty by getting consumers to buy
products at a reduced price. Additionally, companies send email messages to offer discounted
prices, free samples and joint promotions with other companies using vouchers and financing
deals.
Communication with Channels: By communicating with customers through direct marketing
channels, distributors or business partners, companies enable sales and delivery of their goods
and services in ways that end up providing benefits for each party. Companies target partners

and suppliers with offers of reduce prices using communication mechanisms such as
brochures, functional specifications and selling guides. Through external communication
documents such as requests for proposals or statements of work, companies set up business
relationships allowing them to prosper in a complex, global marketplace (Willmott, 2011).
P5 Explain the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business information
It is essential for Primark to follow all laws and legislation relating to business information.
There are various rules and guilders provided by the UK government. These are:
Data protection act 1998: The Data Protection Actcontrols how your personal information is
used by organisations, businesses or the government.
Everyone responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection
principles’. They must make sure the information is:
 used fairly and lawfully
 used for limited, specifically stated purposes
 used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
Freedom of information act 2000: The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to
request any information from any public authority. It promotes openness and accountability
among public sector organisations, so that everyone can understand how authorities make
decisions, carry out their duties and spend public money. Generally, we've got to comply
"promptly" to requests and at the latest within 20 working days (Robles, 2012).There are
some exemptions to this general right of access. These are known as 'absolute exemptions'
and 'qualified exemptions'. If a qualified exemption applies, then it is subject to the public
interest test. This means we must decide whether in each case it serves the public interests
better to withhold or disclose the information requested.
The Computer Misuse Act: The Act makes it an offence to access any computer to which you
do not have an authorised right to use. Note the provisions that state that the attempt does not
need to have a specific target. These provisions make it unlawful, for example, to run port
scannersin an attempt to find insecure computers. Note that this applies to English law
(Wagner, Hassanein and Head, 2010). Under Scottish law computer intrusion is covered
under common law related to deception.

Task 4
P6 Explain the operational issues in relation to the use of business information
Security of information: A good security program provides the big picture for how you will
keep your company’s data secure. It takes a holistic approach that describes how every part of
your company is involved in the program (Schultz, Utz and Göritz, 2011). A security
program is not an incident handling guide that details what happens if a security breach is
detected.
Health and Safety: It is essential for Tesco is to provide various guidelines regarding business
information management. business relies on information technology (IT) systems such as
computers and networks for key business activities you need to be aware of the range and
nature of risks to those systems.
P7 Outline electronic and non-electronic methods for communicating business information
Electronic Methods: As technology progresses, new communications are born and old ones--
many of which seemed new not so long ago--fade away. When you're trying to connect with
employees, colleagues, bosses, clients, customers, suppliers or any other business contact,
you may have more choices than you realize.
Mobile Devices Although communication with mobile devices may be less formal than other
forms of communication, people are increasingly turning to text messages and short emails
using cell phones and personal digital assistants
Social Networking Media
The capability and uses of social networking media continue to evolve. Some maintain social
networking represents a new frontier in marketing and business networking.
 Non-electronic communication: Review letters, memos and emails prepared by others
in the company. Look for patterns in business communication, like short, to-the-point
paragraphs and requests for further action (Fairhurst and Grant, 2010). Pay special
attention to the letters, memos and other documents created by your boss and other
members of the management team.
 Encourage employees or students to comment and contribute to the bulletin boards
each week. business can allow individuals to post messages on the board or keep a
suggestion box handy. Take care to keep these lines of communication open.

Conclusion
As per the above mentioned report it has been concluded that business communication
plays a prominent role in every business. This report explained about different types of
business information and its sources. Internal business communication at tactical, operational
a strategic level. It also develops a corporate communication in order to attaining
organizational goals and objectives.

REFERRENCES
Books and journals
Bovee, C.L., 2010. Business Communication Today, 10/e. Pearson Education India.
Guffey, M.E. and Loewy, D., 2010. Business communication: Process and product. Cengage
Learning.
Grunig, J.E., 2013. Excellence in public relations and communication management.
Routledge.
Du, S., Bhattacharya, C.B. and Sen, S., 2010. Maximizing business returns to corporate social
responsibility (CSR): The role of CSR communication. International Journal of
Management Reviews.12(1). pp.8-19.
Griffin, E.A., and et.al., 2010. A First Look at Communication Theory, Em Griffin. Details:
Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. 2009. pp.230-265.
Robles, M.M., 2012. Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s
workplace. Business Communication Quarterly. 75(4). pp.453-465.
Schultz, F., Utz, S. and Göritz, A., 2011. Is the medium the message? Perceptions of and
reactions to crisis communication via twitter, blogs and traditional media. Public
relations review. 37(1). pp.20-27.
Fairhurst, G.T. and Grant, D., 2010. The social construction of leadership: A sailing guide.
Management Communication Quarterly. 24(2). pp.171-210.
Willmott, H., 2011. Journal list fetishism and the perversion of scholarship: reactivity and the
ABS list. Organization. 18(4). pp.429-442.
Welch, M., 2012. Appropriateness and acceptability: Employee perspectives of internal
communication. Public Relations Review. 38(2). pp.246-254.
Wagner, N., Hassanein, K. and Head, M., 2010. Computer use by older adults: A multi-
disciplinary review. Computers in human behaviour. 26(5). pp.870-882.
Online
Electronic Methods of Communication in Business. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/electronic-methods-communication-business-
2934.html>. [Accessed on 20th July 2017].