TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Business Studies > Using Letters as form of business Communication
Letters can be used for internal communication but are mainly used for external communication. The personnel departments to inform workers of wage rises, promotion or redundancy and disciplinary procedures will often use them. They provide written means of communication and can also include diagrams. Depending on how the message is sent, it will take a certain amount of time to reach the recipient, e.g. if it has to be delivered abroad through airmail, it can take longer than delivering it from London to Leicester. This can also depend on what class stamp the letter is being sent through. If it is through first class it will reach the recipient much quicker.
The advantages to letters
- provides written communication
- visual information is included
- can range from one to many pages
- doesn’t use any electronic means so is a lot cheaper
- a written record of the message will be kept
- the message is communicated in written format and therefore should be unambiguous
- can contain detailed information such as figures
- enables long distance communication to take place
The disadvantages to this method
- can take time to deliver
- can be lost
- not 100% sure of security , can easily be opened and read or sent to the wrong address
- Takes time to produce letter and can be inconvenient if an urgent message has to be delivered
- No guarantee or assurance that message has been received unless feedback has occurred
- If recipient does not understand any information, then they have to reply to the message stating the problem and then wait for another message reply from the sender.
The channels of communication are usually restricted as they are normally addressed to one individual unless otherwise stated. This ensures that the information goes to specified people only. This can also contribute to the confidentiality and security of information. Letters are written formally if it is between organisations but they can also be informal if sent to a friend.
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