Page 128 - Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies Section 2 People in business

■ Memorandum – this is only used for communication within the business, for
example a message from the Human Resource Manager to the Operations Manager
about the date and time for job interviews.
■ Agenda – this is the order for the conduct of a meeting.
■ Minutes of meeting – this is a written record of what was discussed at a meeting, the
views expressed by those in attendance and the decisions taken.
■ Job descriptions – this is a written statement of what every worker’s job involves.
■ Purchase order – an official document which is sent to suppliers to request the

supply and delivery of raw materials, components and other items needed by the
business.

■ Invoice – an official form sent to customers requesting payment for goods which
the business has supplied.
■ Company magazine – many businesses produce magazines for their employees
or customers. They might include information about the business’s products, its
future plans, employee achievements and awards.

ACTIVITY 9.3

Make a list of the ways you could communicate with someone using the written word.

Electronic communication
Many businesses communicate with customers and suppliers via email, fax and text
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messaging. These electronic communication methods have the advantage of being

much faster than traditional methods and the message is received instantly. Th e
use of video-conferencing has reduced the need for people to travel to meetings as

managers can connect with each other via the internet. They can see and speak to
each other as if they were all sitting in the same room, but they might be hundreds

or even thousands of miles apart! The growth of e-commerce and the ability of
businesses to communicate with, and sell their products to, consumers across the
world has been one of the most important developments in the world of business in
recent times.

Video-conferencing