Ellie Richards
Unit 4 P1 M1

P1- explain different types of business information, their sources and purposes

Verbal communication is one of the best methods when it comes to communicating with another individual or individuals, this is because when you are emailing someone, the point you are trying to get across doesn’t always get their understanding, as they aren’t able to hear the tone of your voice to understand what it is you are meaning by what you are saying. Verbal communication can be done face to face, over the phone, or using devices such as Skype. Interacting face to face is also quicker and helps you get a better understanding of the information that the individual is giving to you, it also gives you the chance to ask any questions to the person who is providing you with this information, and it also helps you get to know other individuals. Verbal communication is something that people do in their everyday lives, and it’s something that people are used to. There for it’s probbaly the best method when it comes to communicating with people and getting information to individuals.

An example when we had a good method of verbal communication was when the head teacher of Strode College (James Staniforth) done a presentation to all of the new students within the college on the first day. The main characteristics within the information that was provided, was to give all of the new students the information that they needed to know about the college. This included things such as the rules within the college, what the college provides course wise, and what they expect from the students. For students that had started a new course, or had only just got to the college at the start of the year, the presentation would of benefited them as they were able to get a better understanding when It came to the college, presenting information in a verbal way is a lot easier for most people as it gets across to the other individual/individuals easier, and they are able to ask questions directly to the source of the information that is being given, if need be. Within the presentation, James Staniforth showed the new students a video that previous students had made, it showed them doing different courses, and explaining the different things that the college provides, they also explained where everything is positioned around the college, such as different buildings and departments around the college. These bits of information was presented via a video.

James Staniforth was the source of this method of communication, he is the head teacher within the college so was probably the best person to provide this information to the new students, as it also gave the new students an opportunity to see who the head teacher is, which is also good as that way it’s more likely for students to feel comfortable and at ease when they are spending time within the college.

There are also different kinds of methods when it comes to communication within Strode College, such as….

Written- Written Communication would be another popular method of communication, an example of this would be the leaflets that are put around the college, these leaflets give students information about certain topics within the college, whether it be about all of the different courses within the college, this is helpful for students who are indecisive about what they want to study within the college, or what they want to do within the future. This would come under marketing, as it’s finding ways of advertising the college and getting it heard about by students and other members of the public. A good source of Written Communication, and also an example of written communication would be one of the leaflets that are put around the college, there are many different ones, but one of the best ones I will use as an example, would be the one that gives students information all about the college and a guide to the college campus, for example they show a photo of the campus and put arrows next to where each building is and where you go for certain lessons, and also where you go to get resources, for example the college shop that is placed next to the college canteen, this is where students can get things such as pens, pencils, pencil cases, etc. This leaflet also gives information about who to contact if you need any further information, for example It gives you the college number and also fax number, and the email that you can contact if you need any other further enquiries. The source of this information is the college itself, and of course our head teacher James Staniforth, this is good source because it means that all the information being provided is correct and accurate, and it has been written by somebody who knows what they are talking about, this is also good for students as they know that everything they are reading is useful and coming from a reliable source. This form of communication is good due to the fact that a lot of students don’t have access to a computer at home, so it’s easier for them to read things on paper that’s been written down for them. The written communication on the leaflets are good for anybody who is unsure about whether they want to join the college or not, and it’s also good for parents who are unsure about where to send their son/daughter, the leaflets are mostly put down around the bottom of M block, and also other blocks around the college.

Multi-media

Multi-Media communication involves things such as recorded videos. For example if you go onto the Strode College website you can be guided to the Strode College You Tube page, and you can see videos on there that have been made by the students, it shows students within the college telling the viewers what they like about the college and all the different services and facilities that the college provides for the students, such as courses, the computers, sports centre, etc.
Another example of multi-media information that is used around the college campus, would be the college video that is on their website, this is a reliable source as the students who study media are the ones to filmed it, and the input also comes from James Staniforth who is our head teacher, this straight away shows that it is coming from a good and reliable source. All of the media students put in their input when it came to this, and it shows that they were able and what they were not able to include in the video, and also how to advertise it in a profeshional way around the college. Also, this can also be transfered onto the college's web page by students who have been told that they can do so, meaning that the video did actually come from a reliable source and somebody who knows what it is they are doing. Lastly, the main purpose of this information is to make sure that anybody who is looking on the college website, will get a good idea when it comes to the college campus, and what an average day within the college is like, this is a good form of communication due to the fact that alot of the students within college use technical devices, and due to this, it means that if the college need to get in contact with them due to work or attendance, then it is much easier for them to get hold of one another. The students are also able to text a particular number to let the college know why they aren't in, instead of having to ring up.

On screen- On screen communication involves information being provided on a plasma screen, for example in the theatre there is a big screen that allows you to watch videos, there are also several TV’s around the college that show slide shows of information that is provided by Strode College. The source of this method of information would be whoever provides the equipment for the students within the college. On screen information is usually something that people find very helpful, as all the information needed is provided and laid out for you in one. Another example of when on screen information is used, would be the plasma screens which are set up within different parts of college, there is one in the canteen and library. This particular type of information is useful to alot of students, this is because they are large televisions that produce good slide shows that are aimed at certain events that may be taking place around the college. An example of this would be when it was coming upto the election and we had MP'S coming into the college, it was advertised on one of th TV'S to remind the students of who will be there, and where to go at what time. It's an easy type of information as it can catch students eyes quickly. Another example would be when people are hosting different fundrasing activities, and also the people who set up the advertisments on the actual screens. They make the presentation in ways they think will get attention from the students within the college and make them interested in taking part. It's all reliable information as the people who are making the presentations are people who are actually passionate within what they are talking about. This particular type of communication containts different varieties of sources, and it makes sure that anybody who is reading it, will be able to get all the quality information that they need. If a student is planning on hosting an event, then this is probably the best place they can advertise it. The information is shown all through out the day, and it goes in order with other slide shows, this is good because it gives out all the information that students need.

Web Based- An example of web communication would be the Strode College website, this is where you would find out any information that you need to know about the college, there is information on the courses that Strode College provides, A levels, the facilities such as the sports centre and the gym, and you also get information about what kind of grades you would need to get into Strode College, and what course would be best for you. There is also information on the website about higher education, as Strode College allows you to do two years of ‘Open university’ and then you do your last year at a university of your choice, this is good for students who aren’t certain about what university that they want to go to, and students who would prefer to do their first couple years somewhere that they are familiar with. The website also provides you with numbers to call, and emails to contact. This is for people who want to know any further information about the college. You also get informed about the courses that are available for adults, and how you go about applying for doing one of the courses, you will be able to choose from a variety of different courses. This kind of communication would come under marketing, as it is getting the College heard about by providing members of the public with information about what they provide. The source of this method of information would be James Staniforth (the head teacher at Strode College) and anybody else who contributes to creating the website and updating it. Web based information is very common as it’s very easy for people to go online and find out information, some people prefer to find information this way as they don’t really have to go out of their way and can do it from the comfort of their own home.

M1- analyse different types of business information and their sources

I think that out of all the different kind of communications and methods of information, that the best one that was provided would be the presentation that was done by the head master of Strode College (James Staniforth) all though it’s extremely easy for people to just go and get their information online, I think it’s a lot easier to get information verbally, as this way you can get a better understanding of what it is the other individual is saying to you, and it also helps you see things clearer. Because all of the information that was provided in this presentation was by the head teacher, it makes it more reliable that some of the other sources, all though the leaflets and the website and other methods of information are pretty much accurate, it’s always better to hear it from the person who is in charge of the college and the one who makes the rules. The presentation and the talk that the head teacher gave us was good as it was all reliable and good bits of information that we needed to know on our first day, some students don’t know where to go to find out bits of information, so to have all of the students together in one room to hear the information for themselves was a good idea, as it was all laid out properly for them and they didn’t have to go out of their way to find the information themselves. Verbal communication is in my opinion the best method, as you have the ability to ask the other individual questions then and there if need be, where as if you are reading information from a leaflet or online, there isn’t anywhere or anyone you can go to directly if you need to get further information on a certain topic.

James Staniforth spoke the students in an effective way when the presentation was being shown, he explained things thourghly and answered all the questions that students wanted to know. He has also been working within the college for many years, so has good experience within the college and knows it well, which means he’s a good person to be giving that kind of information to people. As mentioned before, it’s better to get information from a reliable source and somebody who has got good experience within the topic that they are presenting to you. I also think that everybody who was watching the presentation got the right information that they needed to be able to feel comfortable within the college. I also think that the information provided was just enough for the students, it wasn’t unessisary information and was all stuff that was benefitial to the new students within the college.

The other sources that were provided for information were also good methods, as they all benefited different students in different ways, for example some students would prefer to look online for information, and some students would prefer to get verbal information face to face with a tutor. There is a method of information that suits all of the students. But this kind source of information stood out from the others as it was a one off occasion where the head teacher took time to make sure that all the new students got to know more about the college before they started there first full day there.