Communication SS2 Commerce Lesson Note

Communication is the act of sending and receiving messages/information from one person or place to another. Communication could be oral, written or visual.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION TO COMMERCE

1. It facilitates contacts between businessmen.
2. It creates awareness for goods and services thereby increasing demand for goods/sales.
3. It facilitates the settlement of business debts e.g. Mail transfer.
4. The use of wireless makes it possible to control ships, aeroplanes, spacecraft etc.
5. It facilitates mail-order business.
6. It links the whole world into one economic unit thereby facilitating international trade.
7. It facilitates the distribution of vital business documents as well as goods.
8. It reduces the cost and risk of travelling for business transactions.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

• Posters  
• Radio  
•  Television 
• Letters 
• Telephone  
• Telegrams 
•  Telex 
•  Internet  
• Satellite  
• Post office.

FUNCTIONS/SERVICES OF NIPOST

1. Issuance of postage stamps
2. Ordinary letter post
3. Parcel post
4. Registered Letters
5. Express Letters
6. Private boxes (P.O Box) and bags (P.M.B)
7. Poste Restante
8. Recorded Delivery
9. Business Reply Services
10. Licensing of a franking machine.
11. Free post
12. Air mail services
13. Acting as an agent of payment
14. Cash on Delivery (C.O.D) Services
15. Acts as a savings Bank
16. Provision of means of payment e.g. postal orders, money orders etc.

FUNCTIONS/SERVICES OF NITEL 

1. Telephone services

GSM services i.e. through MTEL.

2. Telex Services for printed messages sent through machines called teleprinters.
3. Satellite services e.g. for live transmissions of games, events etc.
4. Data Transmission Services.
5. Provision of Telephone Directories.
6. Telegram Services.

FUNCTIONS/ADVANTAGES OF COURIER SERVICES

1. Fast and safe delivery of mail and parcels.
2. They undertake air cargo and bulky shipments of commodities.
3. They render nationwide (and worldwide) services. Services are extended even to rural areas.
4. Twenty-four-hour services are provided.
5. Important mail and parcels are insured.
6. Their services are more personal and cordial.
7. The courier companies provide employment opportunities.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE COURIER SERVICES AND POST OFFICE SERVICE

ASSIGNMENT

1. Mail-order firms largely depend on the services of the a) banks b) insurance companies  c) mobile vans d) post office

2. Telecommunication services are provided by a) NITEL b) NIPOST c) courier services d) Bureau De Change

3. Which of the following involves the delivery of mail to a traveller without a fixed address (a) Speed post  (b) Reply paid   (c) Recorded delivery   (d) Poste Restante

4. The fastest and most accurate means of passing information is    (a) airmail letter   (b) express letter   (c) telegram   (d) telephone

5. In which of the following does the number of words used determine the cost of the message a) Telephone b) Recorded delivery c) Telex d) Express mail.