Communication – JSS3 Business Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Communication is the process of sending and receiving information from one person to another or from one place to another. It connects buyers and sellers and helps trade in commerce.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define communication.
2. State five roles of communication in business.
3. Distinguish between oral and written communication, with examples.
4. List the traditional means of communication.
5. List the modern means of communication.

What are the parts of the communication process?

The communication process has four parts: the sender, the message, the receiver and feedback.

• Sender: the person who starts the communication, such as a trader placing an order.
• Message: the information being sent, such as the goods wanted and the quantity.
• Receiver: the person who gets the message, such as the supplier.
• Feedback: the reply that tells the sender the message was received and understood.

What is the role of communication in business?

Communication helps a business to share information quickly and to trade with other people and places.

1. Quick information: it provides a fast means of sending and receiving information.
2. Market information: it helps to spread information about the market, such as prices and new goods.
3. Settlement of debt: it helps a business to remind debtors and to settle business debts.
4. Higher productivity: free flow of information leads to an increase in productivity.
5. International trade: it serves as a tool for transacting business between countries.

What are the types of communication?

There are two types of communication: oral communication and written communication.

Oral communication

• Meaning: communication by speech.
• Examples: face-to-face conversations, phone calls, lectures, interviews and meetings.

Written communication

• Meaning: communication by writing.
• Examples: letters, telexes, memos, reports and e-mails.

How do oral and written communication differ?

What are the means of communication?

The means of communication are the ways information is carried, and they are grouped into traditional and modern means.

What are the traditional means of communication?

Traditional means are the methods used in the olden days, before modern machines.

• Talking drums: beaten in set patterns to send messages over a distance.
• Town criers: people who announce news to the community.
• Metal gongs: struck to call people together or to give notice.
• Palm fronds: placed in a spot as a sign or warning.
• Gun blasts: fired to give an alarm or announce an event.
• Smoke: raised as a signal that can be seen from far away.
• Bells: rung to call attention or gather people.

What are the modern means of communication?

Modern means are the faster methods that use machines and technology.

What are registered mail and express mail?

Registered mail and express mail are postal services used to send written communication.

• Registered mail: a letter or parcel recorded at the post office so that it is delivered safely and the sender gets proof of posting.
• Express mail: a postal service that delivers letters and parcels more quickly than ordinary post.

Evaluation

1. Define communication.
2. What is registered mail?
3. Which postal services can be used to ensure that written communication is received (a) quickly (b) safely?
4. What is the World Wide Web (www)?

Assignment

Draw a table with three columns headed Roles of communication, Types of communication and Means of communication. Fill in five roles, two types with two examples each, and four traditional and four modern means.