Communication

Revise Communication for Commerce 7100 (O Level) — revision notes, 84 practice questions and instant AI marking.

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Cambridge O Level Commerce 7100

Communication

The big idea: Communication is how buyers and sellers agree what to trade, when and at what price. The best method is the one that fits the message: how urgent it is, how much it may cost, how secure it must be, how far it has to go, whether a network is available and how important it is to have a record.

Summary — What This Chapter Covers

Four types of communication: written, oral, electronic and visual.
Eight methods: letter, telephone, face to face, videoconferencing, email, web-based chat (including chatbots), social media and posters.
Each method has advantages and disadvantages: speed, cost, a written record, feedback, security and reach.
Six factors decide the choice: urgency, cost, security, distance, availability of networks and importance of the message.
Exam answers must apply the factor to the situation: “a contract needs a signed written record” beats “letters are formal”.

1. Types of Communication

Syllabus 2.6.1 · Papers 1 & 2

Written, oral, electronic, visual

Communication is the sending and receiving of a message. In commerce it links every part of the supply chain: suppliers, producers, wholesalers, retailers, banks, insurers and customers.

Type	Meaning	Examples
Written	The message is in words on paper or screen, so it can be kept as a record	Letter, invoice, report, notice
Oral	The message is spoken, so there is immediate two-way discussion and feedback	Telephone call, face to face meeting, announcement
Electronic	The message is sent through a computer network, phone network or the internet	Email, videoconferencing, web-based chat, social media
Visual	The message is shown through images, colour, signs or video	Poster, chart, sign, video on social media

One method can be two types

An email is written and electronic; a videoconference is oral, visual and electronic. When a question asks for the type, name the one that matters for the point you are making.

Practice Question 1

A sports club uses a loudspeaker at its stadium. Identify the type of communication and explain why the club uses it.

2. Methods of Communication

Syllabus 2.6.2 · Papers 1 & 2

What each method is good and bad at

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Letter	Formal written record; can carry signatures and detailed terms; can be sent to anyone with an address	Slow; costs paper and postage; no immediate reply
Telephone	Instant, two-way; questions answered at once; personal tone	No written record unless recorded; both people must be available; time zones on international calls
Face to face	Body language and tone help understanding; best for negotiation and complaints; builds trust	Travel time and cost; both must be in the same place; no record unless notes are taken
Videoconferencing	Face to face contact across countries without travel; several people at once; documents can be shared on screen	Needs a reliable internet connection and equipment; time zones; connection can fail
Email	Fast and cheap; written record; attachments (invoices, photos); sent to many people at once	Can be ignored or go to spam; hacking and viruses; no instant reply guaranteed
Web-based chat (including chatbots)	Customers get answers on the website at once; a chatbot works 24/7 and cuts staff costs
Social media
Posters

Practice Question 2

Practice Question 3

4. Exam Technique

Memorise

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Also in the full note

Fitting the method to the situation
Choosing and justifying a method

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Communication

Communication

Written, oral, electronic, visual

What each method is good and bad at

Past papers that test Communication

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