Managing Communications, Knowledge, and Information at Reliance Fresh

This report analyzes the management of communications, knowledge, and information at Reliance Fresh, a retail business. Task 1 explores the range of decisions, including capital, locality, and pricing, along with the information and knowledge needed for effective decision-making. It identifies internal and external information sources and recommends improvements for business start-ups. The report identifies stakeholders like management, employees, customers, and government and examines methods for developing business relationships, including communication strategies and feedback. Task 2 focuses on the communication process for business growth, including the need, development, and implications of effective communication. It also includes a personal development plan for communication skills and suggests improvements for information collection, formatting, storage, and dissemination. The report concludes with strategies for future improvements and the importance of stakeholder management.

Managing Communications,
Knowledge and Information
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 & 1.2 Range of decisions to be taken and the information and knowledge needed to make
effective decisions............................................................................................................................3
1.3 Internal and external sources of information and understanding...............................................4
1.4 Recommendations for improvement in the selection and analysis of information needed for
business start ups.............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Identification of list of stakeholders which influences the decision making processes.............5
2.2 Methods use in the developing business relationship with these stakeholders..........................5
2.3 A plan to involved the identified people in decision making process........................................6
2.4 A strategy for future improvements...........................................................................................6
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 & 3.2 The communication process to grow the businesses......................................................7
3.3 Need, development and implications on the communication process to grow effectively.......7
3.4 Personal Development plan on communications skills.............................................................8
4.1 Existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information..8
4.2 Changes to improve collection, formatting and storage............................................................9
4.3 Implementing strategy for Reliance fresh................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Management communication is the process in which planning, monitoring, implementing and
revision of all channels are involved. Well managed information sharing enables the staff to stay
connected and work in the company effectively (Managing communications. 2016). Information and
knowledge are the key aspects of the organisation because if the company has effective knowledge and
better information, then they will run it efficiently. For conducting the current research, Reliance Fresh
is chosen as organisation which sells high quality of food products. It is the convenience store format
which is in the retail format of Reliance industries (Reliance Fresh Direct, 2016). This report
comprises of two tasks in which first is about different decisions to make for knowledge and
information and external and internal sources for the business start-ups. It also includes identification
of different stakeholders and methods of developing formal relationship. Moreover, the second task is
about processes of communication, differentiation in business during start-ups phase, personal
development plan with different approaches for information & knowledge and its implications on the
business for its future growth.
TASK 1
1.1 & 1.2 Range of decisions to be taken and the information and knowledge needed to make effective
decisions
Range of decisions to be taken for Reliance Fresh:
There are various decisions which are to be taken by the company to start a new business
because; decisions making is a very crucial part of the organisation and they are as follows: Capital: To start any business, the owner needs money to maintain a positive cash flow. Capital
is an important part of the organisation as it helps in overall set up of the business. Through
this, Reliance Fresh can start their business and grow the market share (Naves and et.al., 2012). Locality: This is also one of the important factors should be considered while starting up the
businesses. The owner of the Reliance Fresh has to see the locality which should be accessible
to the customers (Reliance Fresh Direct, 2016). In Brick and mortar retail operation, location is
the critical step so location should be approachable to consumers.
 Pricing decisions: The decisions which are taken for the pricing is essential because there are
many other huge stores who are giving their products at much cheaper price. Moreover, the
products of Reliance Fresh should also have good quality and additional features to attract large
number of customers (Pettigrew, 2014).
The information and knowledge needed to make effective decision making for start-up
businesses are:
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There are different things which organisation requires making decisions. Firstly, company
should have appropriate knowledge about the products which they are providing to the customers.
They should know about the various changes which may happen in the business and should be
accountable to those changes (Rouse, 2016). Secondly, the company should have sufficient information
and knowledge about the competitors in order to assess their weaknesses. Due to this, company can
gain competitive advantages over their businesses. If the company will know about their competitors,
then the company have better knowledge about the competitors and they will better fare among their
competitors. Thirdly, pricing power plays a vital role in the new business. Through this, company can
increase their profits or can decrease their revenues so the company should be competitive regarding
the same. Lastly, the business enterprise should know about its consumer and target market where they
need to buy their products and services (Reliance Fresh Direct, 2016). They should offer their goods
according to consumer’s tastes, preferences and lifestyles. If company satisfy their customers through
fulfilling their needs and requirements, then the consumers will become loyal to them.
1.3 Internal and external sources of information and understanding
There are various internal sources of information and understanding which are having their
reliability and suitability in relation to the business. The different types of internal information are
financial, personnel, marketing, administration etc. The financial information is related to the
performance and profitability of the company. This is suitable in gathering data about item payments,
staff salary, taxes and other costs (Seidel and et.al., 2013). Personnel information is about the
employee’s data. It can be used to monitor existence of the employees and their work in the company
that also their eligibility at job and to the increment of salary which is based on company’s policies.
Marketing information is used by the team to identify the products or services offered by the business.
This information is reliable because it helps to improvise the business and keep customers happy.
Administration information is about communicating with the external sources and it is suitable for
storing information of customers to build better relationships with them.
There are different external sources of information and understanding which contains reliability
and suitability in their business. The external sources include government, commercially provided and
research etc. Government information is approaching from the reliable sources as it is the governing
body in which business operates. Company should follow all legal information provided by
government to run the business successfully (West and Bogers, 2014). Companies can use
commercially provided information to assist them in making the right business decisions. These are
based on information which is available to them from other companies. Research will helped them to
increase the sales and to raise the interest level. The key aspect to researching the information is to help
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business to know about its reliability and accuracy.
1.4 Recommendations for improvement in the selection and analysis of information needed for
business start ups
To improvise the methods which are used in the selection and analysis of information needed to
start up a business are as recommended. Reliance Fresh is focusing highly on its information and
communication technologies to become the most valued business in front of customers and community.
more recommendation includes expansion in which expanding their business in the United Kingdom
will need more decision making (Rouse, 2016). Furthermore, the business should include complete
knowledge of the management systems and develop computerised decision support systems. Another
recommendation for improving the selection and analysis is to know about the competitor’s
intelligence systems which will be highly advantageous for the organisation.
2.1 Identification of list of stakeholders which influences the decision making processes
The identification of stakeholders which influences the decision-making process are done on
the basis of management, employees, customers and government. Other stakeholders includes
creditors, banks, investors, communities, general public etc. Company should create better partnerships
with their stakeholders who encourage creative talk to make the business successful by learning and
listening to each other (Balancing stakeholder needs, 2016). This helps to reduce conflicts and assists
in better decision making process for the business. When, stakeholders are involved in early stages of
planning process then, decision making problems can be minimized. Each company has a set of unique
stakeholders and their level of interest and influencing ability also differ. In Reliance Fresh, the
customers are considered as important stakeholders because if they gets attracted to the company then
automatically it will generates profits and will established their business in the marketplace. This
stakeholders can easily be attracted and increase firm's profitability (Andersson and et.al., 2015).
Reliance Fresh should first identify and evaluate the importance of customer needs and requirements
and their tastes and preferences. The more powerful stakeholders, the more it will influenced the
decision making process and give more better outcomes.
2.2 Methods use in the developing business relationship with these stakeholders
As an owner of Reliance Fresh, the contact with customers can make through various media
such as telephone, emails, letters, fax, word of mouth and social media. To contact and develop
relationship with customers for starting a new business should be effective for the business. The main
motive of Reliance Fresh is to enhance their productivity and to increase its profits (Davenport, 2013).
To maintain good relationship with stakeholders and to get desired outcomes, effective contacts with
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customer are crucial for the company. In the process of identifying the stakeholders it is important to
gather details as much as possible about their interest and influence ability on the organization. This
helps the organization to develop appropriate targeted customers for the company and competitive
advantages.
There are several methods which are used in developing business relationship with
stakeholders. Marketing communication can target audiences through using compatible communication
strategies. Furthermore, business entity should prepare a communication plan which helps in defining
the audience, processing its requirements, constructing a communication schedule, shaping a medium
of communication and preparing the content (Becker and et.al., 2013). Other method can be used is to
understand their needs so they can be personalized and targeted. Company should find innovative and
efficient ways to communicate with the customers. Reliance Fresh should encourage the feedback of
stakeholders which is quite important to monitor the effectiveness of the business.
2.3 A plan to involved the identified people in decision making process
The involvement of the identified people that is stakeholders in decision making process are as
follows: Pricing Strategy: In this, the government provides tax rates which should be added in the
products' prices so that legal terms and condition can't be affected. Suppliers will make
according to the profits it gains. Customers' involvement is to get good quality products at
reasonable prices whereas management is considering all the factors by which pricing should
be make according to the needs and requirements of the customers (Tamir and et.al., 2015).
 Location strategy: A new retail business needs to be where the customers are find reasonable
degree of security, access to public transportation, adequate parking for commercial as well as
personal vehicles, room for an office etc. The place should be easily reachable to the customers
and should centre of the city (West and Bogers, 2014). The company should also consider it
should not hurt the sentiments of the community groups and customers.
2.4 A strategy for future improvements
A strategy for future improvements in the process to manage the stakeholders and some
proposals for improvement are following. The company is managing customers of Reliance Fresh very
effectively. The organisation is giving their customers good shopping experience which is fairly and
honestly, healthy and affordable, evaluating it by changing customer needs. They can give eco friendly
product range and later evaluate customer complains which can be useful. The company take
feedbacks from the customers to know the customers' needs and requirements (Balancing stakeholder
needs, 2016). Business owners should study the market and competition before setting a price for new
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products and should be attractive. This will grab more attention of the customers to buy the products.
The business enterprise should provide good quality of products at a reasonable prices so that the
customers can get attracted to the reliance Fresh.
TASK 2
Introduction
In this, as the the owner wants to expand its business and established it and also planning to
extend its business of Reliance Fresh. This can be done through opening of the more outlets, offering
creative and innovative products and services to their target market. This can be done through various
distribution channels. Moreover, as the business owner has the proposal to extend its business and that
is the shop next door which is an established cafe. The owner is retiring and wants to offer Reliance
Fresh owner to buy this coffee house. So the decisions are to be made that it is correct to purchase or
not.
3.1 & 3.2 The communication process to grow the businesses
Communication is the key to business success because of its effective and efficient way to
communicate with the others. The existing communication process in the case study is horizontal
process in which the sender gives message to receiver. This communication process is practise by
the café owner to sell their shop to the Reliance Fresh owner (Reliance Fresh Direct, 2016). This
is one way process in which only command are given but it can turn into two way process in
which the Reliance Fresh owner can revert back to the offer that café owner has given. Firstly, it
must be established and a well-defined chain of command. Everyone needs to know exactly what
the official hierarchical structure of the firm is. Once this is established, lines of communication
can flow much easier. Once ranks are established, everyone’s sphere of influence needs to be
clearly explained, so that no one will try to avoid having to take responsibility for issues that
clearly need attention. Secondly, the employees should maintain a conversation with each
manager and keep reminding them of the company’s goals and the effect of these goals which are
relevant or not to the daily tasks that face each one of them (Epner and Baile, 2014). Thirdly,
when there is a major failure in communication, the manager need to figure out the cause of
situation occurred and then take steps to make sure that it doesn’t happen again. Moreover, each
employee’s zone of influence needs to be well defined so that there is less confusion when it
comes to areas of responsibility.
3.3 Need, development and implications on the communication process to grow effectively
Communication process can be different types in the shape of its forming. It can be horizontal
communication process and two way communication process. The thing is depended on how a
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communication flows complete the process. In Horizontal process, the communication flows like
straight line from sender to the receiver of a message which is one way process of
communication. This communication will need in start-up business. The other is two way
process in which it is the steps of two way communication system (Heldman and et.al. 2013). In
such process, sender sends a message using some intermediary channels and the receiver of that
message makes a response to the sender what is called as Feedback. In this communication
process, proper Feedback is expected. And that’s why it makes this process as effective
communication process. In this, sender is top management and receiver is employees and this
communication process is used in the running and established businesses. Reliance Fresh uses
two way process in their company.
The development of the existing processes can help the businesses to grow effectively through
the storing of the data in the databases. The stakeholder’s relations should be strong with the company
so that the business can run effectively. For example, Reliance Fresh should know the needs and
requirements of the customers and they should not hurt the sentiments of the local community. The
other business processes include marketing promotions which best communicating tool to
communicate with the stakeholders and others (Fan and et.al. 2013). These all business and
communication processes will help the business to grow successfully and this can be done through
feedback, suggestions by the customers and fulfilling the needs of the customers and other
stakeholders. The communication is the effective tool to grow the businesses effectively.
Experiences of own business and data on existing customers
The business I have been running is essentially profitable which will assisting me to expand my
business by acquiring the coffee shop which will will be the new venture for me and may in future give
more revenues. The customers which are visiting in my grocery stores, may be possible come in coffee
shop to spend some pleasure times and the coffee house will surely attracted to the all ages of
customers. So it will be nice experiences for acquiring new business for me.
3.4 Personal Development plan on communications skills
Objectives Activity Time Period1. To improve my Listening
Skills
 Try to know the other
perception by listening
carefully to subordinates.
 Will observe the listening
skills of the superiors
(Managing
communications, 2016).
2 weeks
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2. To enhance my Written
skills
 Will go for online
courses for the better
opportunities to improve
the writting skills.
 Will maintain diary on
regular basis.
3 weeks
3. To develop my Public
Speaking Skills
 It will develop through
the seminars and
conferences.
 To boost up my
presentation and public
speaking skills (Rouse,
2016).
 To take participation in
the team activities.
3 weeks
4. To upgrade my Visual
Skills
 This will be developed
through online courses
and various training and
development
programmes.
2 weeks
4.1 Existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information
Approaches to collection Observation: It is the process of collecting information about a program in which company
works according to actual workplace situation. Reliance fresh can evaluate the performance
through observation. Surveys: This method is used when a number of data have to be collected within very short
period of time (Hauck and et.al. 2013). It include questionnaire, checklist etc. and organization
can also conduct online survey to collect data in quick manner. Case studies: Case studies are conducted to find the behaviour of the clients on the actual
products. This gives the idea on reaction of client on the projects.
 Interviews: interviews are conducted in order to attain full information that is required to
examine the behaviour of each and every person. This will give an in- depth understanding
about the nature of the subject.
 For collecting any types of information, research are to be done and for this, website is
appropriate method as well as social media.
Approaches to formatting Standard or custom formatting: Numerical and date-time values can be customized through
pre- PFA defined pattern. Other than this numeric value can be represented in short date.
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 Composite formatting: Numeric values can be formatted through standard or custom format
and also allows to add any text in strings (Hwang and Yoon, 2012). It also has standard format
and custom format that can also be accomplished through formatting option. Apart from his
efficient formatting should be done to meet the objectives.
 For formatting, different types software can be used to format any data.
Approaches to storage
Information can be stored through online method or documentation form. In online form file
system storage, database, e-mail, websites are used. Other than this, online data can stored into a single
document. For storage, the hardware system can be such as computer, and other systems.
Dissemination of information
After gathering all the information, dissemination of information is done in which best suited
approach is selected. This can be done through oral media or online media. In oral media the
information is selected on the basis of oral findings. References sources, capturing data through local
community are covered under the category (Louise-Hamilton and et.al., 2014). Apart from this online
media is also one of key source that is used for information collection. Electronic database, online
bibliography services are key elements which can help in disseminating the data through online mode.
In this, website is essential part for dissemination for the information.
4.2 Changes to improve collection, formatting and storage
A range of different sources are accessed which can help to improve the way of collecting data.
Improvement in data collection Mail based collection: Data of the firm are collected through use of mailbox system. In this a
formatted mail is sent to clients in which some questions are mentioned by the sender on which
the receiver can provide response (Verdure and et.al. 2013). Electronic data interchange: In this established data are directly transferred to the respondents’
database. It reduce both time and cost for Reliance fresh while collecting data.
 Reminder methods: Reminder is the sources of collecting data that can be used if any issues are
being faced during data collection. It can be done through mail, telephone or can be fax
reminder.
Improvement in formatting Event based formatting: This will facilitate the user to manually format through Grid control.
'Custom Column Display’ allows the user to customize any data cell. Apart from this 'Base Edit.
Custom Display Text' assist to customize string within the editor (Vahlne and Johansson, 2013).
 Using mark setting: It provides the feature of masked input that provides restricted data input
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as well as restricted Data output. If any restricted input is there then mask setting will render an
restricted output in form of document.
Improvement for storage
Online storage
Apart from traditional methods online methods are best suited for improving the storage. Data
remain more safe and secure in online as compared to traditional sources such as books (Valacich and
et.al., 2015). It allows to access the data anytime from anywhere.
Dissemination of information
Company should use product marketing, job opportunities for improving communication link
with the local community and analysing the key relevant issues. According to awareness,
understanding and action dissemination is done in an organization.
4.3 Implementing strategy for Reliance fresh
It is the stage where all the strategic plans turn into action to achieve goals and objectives of the
business. For better implementing the strategy all levels of management should be engaged and
innovative strategies should be introduced for new products (Veronese and Chaves, 2016). All the
strategies should be managed and prioritized according to needs. A range of strategic models can be
used for effective application of wide range of approach. A clear process of implementing should be
established for getting better results. Apart from this all the old strategies should be stopped while
implementing new plans. For implementing the strategies, SMART objectives can be used for
implementing the strategy. In this, the strategy should be specific that means accurate in nature and can
be measurable. The strategy which are made should be achievable which means can be profitable for
organization (Pettigrew, A. M., 2014). In addition to this, the strategies should be real and time
specific. This means the strategy should be completed in given time period. This all objectives when
combined then will make an effective strategy which will help the chosen organization as well as give
profitable results.
CONCLUSION
This report is about the the information and knowledge in which various decisions are to be
taken through internal and external sources on that recommendations are given. It also includes the
different stakeholders such as management, suppliers, government and customers and involvement in
the decision making processes. The pricing strategy and location strategy are important factor for the
decision making processes. Furthermore, it also comprises of communication processes to grow the
businesses effectively and various needs, development implementation to expand the business of
Reliance Fresh in European Union. The personal development plan has also made to developed the
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communication skills of the leader. Moreover, it inculcates to improve the collection, formatting,
storage and dissemination of information and knowledge, all the process should be very systematic and
effectively done.
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