Advancement in Business Communication through Computers

Advancement in Business Communication through Computers

MBA Evening 2011-2013 2nd Semester Computer Concept and Application
Submitted to:
Assistant Prof., IBA, University of the Punjab

Zeshan Ahmer
Submitted By:

92 Muhammad Adnan 109 Muhammad Ishtiaq 136 Amjad Islam 144 Usman Razzaq 152 Muhammad Ismail

Advancement in Business Communication through Computers

Abstract Technology is always in constant evolution and new types of communication technologies are always developed. The impact of the growth of the technology is immeasurable on the business communication and the businesses are moving forward with this greater advancement. The business has now understood the realm of advancement in technology and every business is using the advancement for their success. The greater advancement in technology has greatly increased the speed of communications in business. An important file can be delivered instantly through file sharing programs or email and one does not have to wait for a long week for receiving this file. Orders for services or products are instantly placed through online and it is even processed through automated system The world has now become a local place and global communication has now become very easy. People around the world easily communicate with each other frequently and get to know their different cultures. Global partnerships has now become very easy because of many tools such as videoconferencing as this facilitates the meetings with less cost and eliminate the need for flying frequently to reach the other person. This also have the eliminated the cultural differences and communication differences. With the advent of the social networking sites, businesses are able to market their product easily and they can even find their target customers easily. Summary Todays businesses are faced with challenges never before faced during any other time in history. As technology continues to grow and change on a daily basis, employers and employees are forced to learn the importance of communication, and some learn how lapses in communication between departments or organizations can cost millions of dollars. Companies trying to compete in the ever-changing and growing marketplace, give employees technological equipment such as PDAs, cell phones, and wireless handheld devices to enhance communications between all employees of all levels. Company e-mail systems, wikis, and social networking allow companies to reach a broader and wider span of customers and clients.
IBA MBA E 2011

Advancement in Business Communication through Computers

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ______________________________________________________________ 1
1.1 1.2
1.2.1 1.2.2

Business Communication __________________________________________________ 1 Types of Business Communication __________________________________________ 2

Internal _______________________________________________________________________ 2 External _______________________________________________________________________ 3

1.3

Business communication channels __________________________________________ 3

Basic Communication Tools _________________________________________________ 3

2.1
2.1.1

Mail ___________________________________________________________________ 3
Letters ________________________________________________________________________ 3

2.2
2.2.1

Telephones _____________________________________________________________ 4
Teleconference _________________________________________________________________ 5

2.3

Fax Machines ___________________________________________________________ 5

Computer ________________________________________________________________ 6
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Desktops _______________________________________________________________ 7 Laptops ________________________________________________________________ 7 Notebooks and Netbooks _________________________________________________ 8 Tablet Computers ________________________________________________________ 8 Handheld Devices ________________________________________________________ 9 Software _______________________________________________________________ 9 Auxiliary Products ______________________________________________________ 10

Internet ________________________________________________________________ 10
4.1
4.1.1

World Wide Web (Website) _______________________________________________ 11

Web Application _______________________________________________________________ 11

4.2 4.3
4.3.1 4.3.2

Voice over IP (VOIP) _____________________________________________________ 12 Email _________________________________________________________________ 13

Email Function_________________________________________________________________ 14 Email Format __________________________________________________________________ 14

4.4 4.5 4.6

Video and Web Conferencing _____________________________________________ 14 Social networking sites___________________________________________________ 15 Online chat tools _______________________________________________________ 15

Advancement in Business Communication through Computers 5 Cell Phones ______________________________________________________________ 15

5.1 5.2 Mobile Phones _________________________________________________________ 15 Smartphones___________________________________________________________ 16

6 7

Advancements and Business communication future _____________________________ 17 Bibliography _____________________________________________________________ 19

Table of Figures Figure 1: Communication _________________________________________ 1 Figure 2: Types of Communication _________________________________ 2 Figure 3: Telephone _____________________________________________ 4 Figure 4: Teleconference _________________________________________ 5 Figure 5: Fax Machine ___________________________________________ 6 Figure 6: Desktop Computers ______________________________________ 7 Figure 7: Laptops _______________________________________________ 7 Figure 8: Tablet Computer ________________________________________ 8 Figure 9: Handheld Devices _______________________________________ 9 Figure 10: Auxiliary Products ____________________________________ 10 Figure 11: Internet _____________________________________________ 10 Figure 12: VoIP _______________________________________________ 12 Figure 13: Email_______________________________________________ 13 Figure 14: Mobile phone ________________________________________ 16 Figure 15: Smartphones _________________________________________ 17

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1 Introduction 1.1 Business Communication Business Communication is any communication used to promote a product, service, or organization with the objective of making sale. In business communication, message is conveyed through various channels of communication including internet, print (publications), radio, television, outdoor, and word of mouth. (Ashraf)

Figure 1: Communication

In business, communication is considered core among business, interpersonal skills and etiquette. An organization is a group of people associated for business, political, professional, religious, social, or other purposes. Its activities require human beings to interact and react, that is, to communicate.
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They exchange information, ideas, plans, order and make decisions, rules, proposals, contracts, and agreements. All these activities require one skill that is communication. So we can say that communication is the Lifeline of every organization 1.2 Types of Business Communication Two types of business communication are

Internal Communication External Communication

Figure 2: Types of Communication

1.2.1 Internal An exchange of information within an organization is called internal communication. It takes place at different levels -- downwards, upwards and horizontal.

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1.2.2 External Communication that takes place outside the organization is called external communication. The right letter, proposal, report, telephone call, or personal conversation can win back an angry customer, create a desire for a firms product or services, encourage collections, motivate performance, and in general, create goodwill. 1.3 Business communication channels In Business communication various channels are used considering different factors like Cost, time, place, and etc. We can divide these channels in two groups, Traditional and modern. Traditional tools include Postal mails, Telephone, and Fax. Modern channels include tools like computers, Mobiles, and internet which have made possible the development of emails, video conferencing, presentations, Blogging, chatting and many other sources of communication. 2 Basic Communication Tools Specific tools that can be used for communication include landline telephones, cellphones, smartphones, and fax machines. The lines between the devices are blurring. For example, an advanced cellphone (the smartphone) can contain many of the functions of a computer including Internet, email, faxing, word processing and more. For this discussion, however, each device will be presented as a separate entity.
2.1 Mail

Even with all the modern methods of communication, regular postal mail is still one of the most powerful tools for a business. It adds a personal touch; its used for delivering secure documents, contracts, and shipping items.
2.1.1 Letters

Letter-sized mail comprises the bulk of the contents sent through most postal services. These are usually documents printed on A4 (210297 mm), Lettersized (8.511 inches), or smaller paper and placed in envelopes. Bills and
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invoices are often sent through the mail, like regular billing correspondence from utility companies and other service providers. These letters often contain a self-addressed, envelope that allows the receiver to remit payment back to the company easily. While still very common, many people now opt to use online bill payment services, which eliminate the need to receive bills through the mail. Bulk mail is mail that is prepared for bulk mailing, often by presorting, and processing at reduced rates. It is often used in direct marketing and other advertising mail, although it has other uses as well. The senders of these messages sometimes purchase lists of addresses (which are sometimes targeted towards certain demographics) and then send letters advertising their product or service to all recipients. Other times, commercial solicitations are sent by local companies advertising local products, like a restaurant delivery service advertising to their delivery area or a retail store sending their weekly advertising circular to a general area. Bulk mail is also often sent to companies' existing subscriber bases, advertising new products or services
2.2 Telephones

There are many types of telephones, and only you can decide which type(s) or combinations of types are right for you. Even the standard telephone (landline) that is installed in your office has many options. According to a June 2006 article in All-Business, the business world relies on effective communication tools, including telephones, to get the job done. Telephone communication lets employees take care of business from their offices, homes or on the go. Telephones are used in business to facilitate efficient communication. Business people can discuss matters, participate in conference calls and Figure 3: Telephone conduct transactions over the phone. With telephones, people always have a way of getting in touch with one another. The telephone often colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sound, most commonly the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other. It is one of the most common appliances in the developed world, and has long been considered indispensable to businesses, households
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and governments. The word "telephone" has been adapted to many languages and is widely recognized around the world. (Demand Media)
2.2.1 Teleconference

Conference calls let groups of people -- from a few to hundreds -communicate by phone. Banks and brokerages often use conference calls to give status reports to large numbers of listeners. Other businesses use conference calls to help coworkers communicate, plan and brainstorm. To connect to the call, attendees call a designated number, or an operator or moderator calls each participant (ad hoc conferencing). Conference calls connect people through a conference bridge, which is essentially a server that acts like a telephone and can answer multiple calls simultaneously. Software plays a large role in the bridge's capabilities beyond simply connecting multiple callers.
Figure 4: Teleconference

A company can have its own bridge or can contract with a service provider for conference call hosting. Providers frequently offer add-on features for conference calls, such as:

Attendee polling Call recording In-call operators or attendants

2.3 Fax Machines

The decision must be made as to whether to buy a stand-alone fax machine or an "all-in-one" model. All-in-ones function as a printer, scanner, copier and fax. (Not all models have the fax or scanner capability). If you plan on sending and receiving lots of faxes you might consider the stand alone. For less frequent use the all-in-one can cost less. They are also compact and more energy efficient. Consideration should be given to your budget and your space constraints. Generally, the simpler the machine, the less problems you will

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have with it. If your business will rely heavily on faxing, it is important to get as much memory as possible to speed up the printing of documents. Some phone vendors can provide you with a fax number that works with your e-mail system. Receiving a fax works just like it does when the fax is being received by another machine but you receive it as an attachment to an e-mail. This can be very handy for those who travel on a frequent basis and are not always near a fax machine.
Figure 5: Fax Machine

Here are tips:

Use a cover page that is appropriate for your company. Remember, this is an external communication that reflects your business and your image. Use a separate dedicated phone line for your fax machine.

3 Computer A computer is so affordable that it should be included as a key tool in your business. Computers can be purchased for a wide range of prices. For basic word processing, e-mail, accounting, and spreadsheet work you will not require a top-of-the-line computer. (How Stuff Works) While what you buy today may soon become obsolete, this does not mean that the computer you purchase will not meet your business requirements for a much longer period of time. The following discussion will focus on the growing number of options that are available:

Desktop Laptop Notebook (or netbook) Tablet Handheld

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3.1 Desktops

This is the most common type of computer: one that is set up to operate in your office. The computer system should include:

A basic processing unit: either a PC (Personal Computer) or a Macintosh (Apple). PC's are in more common usage and are lower in cost. Most businesses work in a PC format. However, for many users and applications including graphic arts, the Mac enjoys very steadfast supporters.
Figure 6: Desktop Computers

A flat-panel monitor. Internet connectivity, a CD/DVD drive and USB ports. A printer. Laser printers cost more up front but are less expensive over the long run when taking printing costs into account. If you have a small space to work with, consider an all-in-one printer. Some type of backup storage should also be considered, such as a USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive or a writable CD or DVD. An antivirus program is essential. You can purchase one or use a free program; however the free programs will not afford you as much security as the paid versions.

3.2 Laptops

A laptop computer offers portability with many of the features offered by a desktop which make it ideal for meetings or if you travel frequently. Drawbacks for laptops include: they are higher in price than desktops, have smaller keyboards and monitors and are subject to theft. Traditional and wireless printers, keyboards Figure 7: Laptops and even the traditional mouse are options available with laptops. If you travel and need computing capability, it is worth the extra expense.

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3.3 Notebooks and Netbooks

Since their recent appearance, netbooks have grown in size and features. At the same time, notebooks have become smaller and lighter. The result is that for practical purposes we are going to use the two words interchangeably since there is no longer a significant distinction between them. They both can be described as rapidly evolving categories of small, light and inexpensive laptop computers suited for general computing and accessing web-based applications. They are gaining in popularity especially with students, bloggers, and even some businesses. While generally less expensive than laptops, manufactures are starting to beef up notebooks, which is increasing their cost. A caution: their compact size makes them attractive for traveling but if you are considering one to save on the cost of a laptop, you probably will be getting less memory and many do not have full applications or compatibility with your other business applications. Things to keep in mind if getting a desktop, laptop or netbook:

Get as much capability as you can afford. Laptops are not typically as easy to upgrade as desktop computers because of the nature of their construction. Be sure you get all the features you need when you purchase. If you do not normally have access to an electrical outlet, get a laptop or netbook with extended battery life. Keep all documentation, software, and accessories that come with your device.

3.4 Tablet Computers

A tablet computer is equipped with a touch screen or stylus rather than a keyboard to operate the computer. The advantages include using when it is not convenient to use a keyboard and mouse, recording diagrams and symbols, and easier navigation than a
Figure 8: Tablet Computer

keyboard and mouse or touch pad. Disadvantages include higher cost, slower input speed and risk of
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damage to the tablet screen.

3.5 Handheld Devices

Handheld computers, or Personal Digital Assistants, are still popular despite the growing sales of smartphones. There are basically two versions of these units: 1) those using the Palm Pilot operating system and 2) those using the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. These units allow synchronizing your key organizational elements with your computer. Functions of a PDA and smartphone have become almost indistinguishable; however PDAs generally perform faster and can synchronize data to your PC. The capabilities of PDAs are not built around a cell phone whereas a smartphone is a cell Figure 9: Handheld Devices phone with other capabilities built into the phone. More and more features are being built into these units, integrating them as a powerful tool in the business world.
3.6 Software

The software you purchase is the key to making your computer productive. The operating system, whether it is a PC or a Macintosh, should be preloaded onto the system. Many software packages are often bundled into the system at the time of purchase and some in the form of trial software. At the bare minimum, you should have the capability to do word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. (How Stuff Works) Additionally, you should consider financial and accounting software that is appropriate for your business. Keep in mind that many accounting/bookkeeping software packages are not double-entry systems and care must be taken in making the entries correctly. Keep in mind that home and professional versions of accounting software may not be compatible or may not be appropriate for your operating system. Be sure to read specifications before you purchase.

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3.7 Auxiliary Products

Many products can be used in conjunction with your computer to enhance the functionality and image of your business. These also require software specifically designed to facilitate its usage.

Digital Camera - a picture taken by this type of camera can be directly loaded onto your computer for a variety of uses. Usage ideas include pictures of properties, product catalogs, pictures accompanying rsums and many more. Digital cameras come in various shapes Figure 10: Auxiliary Products and sizes, but what really sets them apart in price is image quality. Scanner - when you have a printed copy of something that you would like to include as part of a digital document, you can create a digital image by scanning the printed copy with this type of equipment. Wireless Transmission - this feature allows you to communicate with other devices equipped with the same feature. Most office equipment is available in a wireless version and without all the cords. Ease of set up is appealing and has many productive implications Don't overlook the importance of making regular external backups to the individual programs used in your business. Backups are commonly stored on CD's DVDs, USB Flash Drives and External Hard Drives. There are also services provided on the Web to facilitate this process.

4 Internet The Internet has become a very important marketing and communication tool. For example, a new marketing tool that is a huge benefit to local businesses is the "local" link on search engines. To demonstrate the power of this tool, please go to a search engine such as Google or Yahoo and enter "Flower Shops". Then, click on the "local" link at the top of the page and enter your zip code. Presto: local flower shops will be displayed on a map along with links to their Web
Figure 11: Internet

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sites. Savvy businesses today are taking advantage of this marketing tool. It can be used at a basic level for e-mail communication and for research and it can be used at a more comprehensive level as a channel for selling your products and services.
4.1 World Wide Web (Website)

Web site, Collection of files and related resources accessible through the World Wide Web and organized under a particular domain name. Typical files found at a Web site are HTML documents with their associated graphic image files (GIF, JPEG, etc.), scripted programs (in Perl, CGI, Java, etc.), and similar resources. The sites files are usually accessed through hypertext or hyperlinks embedded in other files. A Web site may consist of a single HTML file, or it may comprise hundreds or thousands of related files. A Web sites usual starting point or opening page, called a home page, usually functions as a table of contents or index, with links to other sections of the site. Web sites are hosted on one or more (GEN, 2011) Web servers, which transfer files to client computers or other servers that request them using the HTTP protocol. Although the term site implies a single physical location, the files and resources of a Web site may actually be spread among several servers in different geographic locations. The particular file desired by a client is specified by a URL that is either typed into a browser or accessed by selecting a hyperlink.
4.1.1 Web Application

A web application is an application that is accessed over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The term may also mean a computer software application that is hosted in a browser-controlled environment (e.g. a Java applet) or coded in a browser-supported language (such as JavaScript, combined with a browser-rendered markup language like HTML) and reliant on a common web browser to render the application executable. (Wikipedia, Web_application) An emerging strategy for application software companies is to provide web access to software previously distributed as local applications. Depending on the type of application, it may require the development of an entirely different browser-based interface, or merely adapting an existing application to use different presentation technology. These programs allow the user to pay a monthly or yearly fee for use of a software application without having to install

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it on a local hard drive. A company which follows this strategy is known as an application service provider (ASP), and ASPs are currently receiving much attention in the software industry. 4.2 Voice over IP (VOIP) Voice over IP is the technique of taking a voice conversation, packetizing it, then transmitting it over an Internet Protocol data network either part or all of the way to the far end. (Wikipedia, Voice_over_ip) Initially VoIP involved slightly halting conversations using computers with desktop software allowing voice and video to be sent over the network. Variable network quality and unsuitable audio hardware in the computers meant that it was just about suitable to sustain a conversation between coworkers across a corporate WAN, but most importantly it was free. Actually not completely free as the network bandwidth had to be there but, assuming it was, the marginal cost was zero unlike picking up the phone and making an external call. Fast forward 8-10 years and widespread availability of broad band connections means that desktop voice applications now work perfectly well over consumer Internet connections. Vendors such as Skype develop packages with more useable software, and the technology then becomes available to a wide range of home users enabling free calls over the Internet. Another important area is the development of "termination
Figure 12: VoIP

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providers" who take a VoIP call and allow their servers to be the remote endpoint transferring the call onto the normal public telephone network. The call costs are much lower than normal domestic packages as the Internet is being used to transport the call directly to the termination provider who then takes advantage of huge volume discounts from national telephone networks place calls onto the local network at that point. When combined with VoIP phones or analogue telephone adapters these allow substantial economic benefits with the convenience of a normal telephone handset and ability to talk to ordinary telephone subscribers with no similar equipment. The economic benefits of VoIP calls across public and private networks, as well as low cost external termination are not lost on business. This is particularly the case for small high technology businesses that employees and managers are often familiar with the benefits of consumer VoIP. Whilst providing perfectly useable telephone conversations for a substantial proportion of the time, very few businesses can accept the variable call quality that VoIP over the public Internet implies for most of their users. Businesses (and more specifically their customers) expect reliable high quality voice communication on fixed line telephones as a matter of course. Any system which replaces conventional desk telephones in most environments will therefore be expected to deliver a similar level of call quality and reliability. VoIP provides a cost effective and flexible solution for small and medium business telephony requirements. Use of Open Standards based protocols such as SIP provides not only vendor independence for future expansion but also compatibility with planned development of the public switched telephone network.
4.3 Email

Email is widely used as a form of business communication and overall it is a highly effective communication tool. Email is inexpensive, only requiring an Internet connection that is generally already present in the business. Although a
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Figure 13: Email

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printout of emails is possible, emails often stay as soft copies because archiving and retrieving email communications is easy to do. From the CEO to the janitorial staff and even temporary employees of the business can send and receive email communications.
4.3.1 Email Function

Although it cannot and should not replace all face-to-face communication and others forms of communication, internal email usage can cover many areas within the business. Internal emails can function as an effective communication for sharing basic information, such as new cafeteria prices, paper use guidelines or security precautions, for example. Sending simple messages to an entire workforce with just the click of a mouse is fast, easy, convenient and can save the company money. If saved, the email can function as proof of a message sent or received, and is easily accessible to remind the recipient of pertinent information. Many businesses use email as part of its marketing efforts to share information with prospects, customers, and vendors.
4.3.2 Email Format

Business emails should be concise and to the point. Use plain text and common fonts with a simple signature line. Fancy graphics, fonts, and backgrounds can take up unnecessary storage space in the recipients inbox and may load slowly, or not at all. Stick to one topic in a business email and write only the things that are appropriate for anyone to read, as email forwarding makes it possible for originally unintended parties to receive the email. Proper grammar and spelling is very important in business emails because it reflects on you and your abilities. Attachments should be prepared in a format that any recipient can easily access/download.
4.4 Video and Web Conferencing

Video conferencing transmits and receives images and voice in real-time. Web conferencing adds another dimension it allows you to share documents and applications. All these solutions allow you to communicate as if you were face-to-face with customers anywhere in the world. Time and money that would be spent on traveling can be used to conduct meetings. You can share documents, make presentations and conduct meetings on short notice. For example, without leaving your office you can collaborate with employees who work from home or from other company locations.
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4.5 Social networking sites

A social network is a social structure made of individuals or organizations that are tied together by common interests, often like a community. Internet-based social networking occurs through a variety of websites that allow users to share content and interact around similar interests. It has expanded to include a company's customers, celebrity's fans and a politician's constituents. This has created a great opportunity for businesses to generate interaction with present and potential customers through Web-based sites established for that purpose. To be successful requires a steady effort and participation over time. With an ongoing commitment of effort you can create a niche market through sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. A note of caution on Internet social networking: once you put something out there it's hard to take it back, so you have to be careful.
4.6 Online chat tools

Wikipedia describes chat tools best: "Online chat can refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, but is primarily meant to refer to direct oneon-one chat or text-based group chat using tools such as instant messengers." It is commonly used in place of email when there is a need to communicate live. Chat tools can be used both for internal and external communication and can be placed on a website so customers can talk to a customer service person in real-time. Utilizing chat tools usually requires a free software download. There are many options available including AOL, Google Talk and Yahoo IM. Features can vary from simple one-on-one messaging to highly developed tools for group chat, file transfers, video and document collaboration such as WebEx Connect. 5 Cell Phones
5.1 Mobile Phones

The cell phone, also called a mobile phone, is used for mobile communications over a cellular network of cell sites. There are numerous plans and carriers. Many carriers have plans tailored for small businesses including options that bundle popular features and usage patterns, making them very cost effective.

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Be sure to ask questions about your specific needs before selecting a carrier and a plan.
Table 1: List of countries by number of mobile phones in use

Rank

Country or region

Number of mobile phones

Population

% of population

Last updated

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

World China India United States Russia Brazil Indonesia Japan Pakistan

Over 5 billion 6,909,500,000[1] 906,800,000 1,341,000,000[3] 67.1 851,695,668 [5] 1,210,193,422[6] 71.11 302,947,098 220,550,000 217,300,000 168,264,000 107,490,000 108,894,518 310,866,000[8] 96 142,905,200[10] 151.9
[12]

2010[2] June 2011[4] June 2011[7] Dec 2010[9] February 2011[11] June 2011[13] May 2009[14] Mar. 2009[15] Jun 2011[16

111.6

237,556,363 73.1 127,370,000 84.1 171,901,000 65.4

When your usage or needs change, do not hesitate to request information on plans that more closely meet your new set of requirements. Most cell phone companies allow you to return the phone within 15 to 30 days after activation if you are not happy. Use this time to check if the cell phone has acceptable reception at your home and work place. Basic cell phones are offered free by many carriers for a specific length of time, usually two years. But be aware there are hefty fees for canceling early.
5.2 Smartphones
Figure 14: Mobile phone

Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting powerful memory, larger screens and open operating systems has outpaced the rest of the mobile
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phone market for several years. A smartphone is a cell phone offering advanced capabilities with computer-like functionality. A smartphone can incorporate advanced features like e-mail, Internet and e-book reader capabilities and include a full keyboard or an external keyboard. In other words, a smartphone is a miniature computer that has phone capability. Smartphones are also capable of text messaging and may include a camera and video recorder. Some models are capable of "Push to Talk" which is a feature similar to a walkie-talkie. Outside your office a smartphone can become a valuable tool for e-mail, web browsing and the ability to review and edit documents. Several models have global Figure 15: Smartphones positioning system (GPS) capability and many other available applications. The most popular are the iPhone, Blackberry, Droid and Google's Nexus One. Each has different strengths you will need to factor into your business needs. 6 Advancements and Business communication future In todays business environment effective communication is essential to the growth and success of a most companies. (OPpapers) As technology is constantly advancing, so is the area of business communication. Earlier, business communication was about sending memos, writing business letters, and so on. Business communications are extremely important in a corporation's daily operations. Events such as checking e-mails and corresponding to any important messages are vital in transferring information within a company. Research for customer inquiries may be required as well as the need for additional information. Companies are increasingly delivering specific information to their customers by referring them to company websites; there all pertinent company data can be found in one location. Companies are increasingly delivering information to customers and clients through the use of electronic information technology. Customer support may be handled through instant messaging or email. As technology changes, contemporary business communication is constantly evolving. Now workforces interact via Emails, Teleconferencing, and Videoconferencing. Emails has are the preferred means of communication for fellow workers and clients Business

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communication plays a vital role in a companys operation. Checking emails and responding to important messages are essential to the day-today activities. Telecommunications may also play an important role in business communication. Companies sales and marketing meetings along with company training and staff meeting may use teleconferencing and video conferencing as a more convenient and effective way to conduct these, and other meetings with less disruption in productivity. Large companies are investing in unified communication (UC) systems from Microsoft, Avaya, and Cisco

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7 Bibliography
Ashraf, R. (n.d.). BUsiness Communication. Retrieved August 2011, from Rizwan Ahraf: http://www.rizwanashraf.com/2008/02/04/business-communication-and-its-types/ Demand Media, I. (n.d.). About the Use of Telephones in Businesses. Retrieved August 10, 2011, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7940350_use-telephones-businesses.html ENGINEERING, M. R. (n.d.). Business Communications are improved by Technology. Retrieved August 12, 2011, from Micro Radio Engineering: http://www.microradio.org/businesscommunications-are-improved-by-technology GEN. (2011). Web site. Retrieved August 07, 2011, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/690679/Web-site How Stuff Works, I. (n.d.). How Teleconferencing Works. Retrieved August 08, 2011, from How Stuff Works: http://communication.howstuffworks.com/teleconferencing.htm Kristie Lorette, D. M. (n.d.). The Use of Email in Business Communication. Retrieved August 08, 2011, from Small Business: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/use-email-businesscommunication-118.html My Own Business, I. (n.d.). Business Communication. Retrieved August 10, 2011, from My Own Business: http://www.myownbusiness.org/s3/ OPpapers. (n.d.). Business Communication Trends. Retrieved August 13, 2011, from OPPapers: http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Business-Communication-Trends/450337 Wikipedia. (n.d.). Voice_over_ip. Retrieved August 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_ip Wikipedia. (n.d.). Web_application. Retrieved August 14, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_application

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