Page 136 - Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies Section 2 People in business
Revision checklist
● Effective communication is when a message
is sent using an appropriate medium and
the receiver provides feedback to the
sender to show that the message has been
received and understood.
● All communication methods have benefits
and limitations. The best method will
depend on given circumstances.
● Communication might not be eff ective
because of barriers such as problems with
the channel of communication, attitude of
senders and receivers or physical problems.
● Businesses can use various methods to
remove or reduce barriers to eff ective
communication.
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Exam practice questions
1 Golden Sands Hotel has had a fi re on the top fl oor. It
will take three months to redecorate and furnish the
20 bedrooms. They have already accepted internet
bookings from customers for these rooms. They do not
have spare rooms on the other fl oors and will need to
cancel these bookings.
The fi re will also mean that the hotel will not need as
many staff hours. The Human Resource Manager has
decided to reduce the hours of all 20 part-time staff
for the next three months. She is wondering how to
effectively communicate this decision to staff.
a What is meant by ‘effective communication’? [2]
b Identify two methods of visual communication. [2]
c Identify and explain two barriers to effective
communication. [4]
d Identify and explain two methods the Human
Resource Manager could use to communicate her
decision to the 20 part-time staff. [6]
e To what extent is effective communication
important to the success of Golden Sands Hotel?
Justify your answer. [6]
2 Company A employs 600 workers in two factories in
different parts of Country Y. Each factory has a factory
manager, supervisors and other workers. All major
decisions are made by senior managers based at Head
Offi ce. These are communicated to the two factories
using electronic communication methods.
The Operations Director meets with each factory manager
once a month. However, he can never seem to arrange a
meeting with both managers at the same time.
Company A is going to introduce new technology into its
factories. The Operations Director is considering how best
to communicate this information to the workforce. He is
considering either sending a letter to all workers or
holding a meeting in each factory.
a What is meant by ‘electronic communication’? [2]
b Identify two methods the factory managers might
use to communicate with their supervisors. [2]