Conor Cunningham P1 M1
Types, Purposes and Sources of Business Information
Introduction:
This piece of research has been compiled for Mr Matthews, a line manager in the
administration department of the Southern Regional College. It illustrates the results of an
audit into the types of information used, the way in which it is used and how appropriate it
is in decision making within the college.
Verbal Information
Verbal information is simply the sharing of information between individuals using speech. It
is probably the most common form of communication used to inform and instruct people.
Here at Southern Regional College it is used extensively. Verbal communication is a great
type of communication as any confusion can be
resolved right away as it is very much face-to-face.
Sources of verbal communication at SRC would be
the lecturers, pupils and admin staff. This type of
information is a fantastic way to get information
across to others as not only can you inform and
instruct, you can also see initial reactions when
having a conversation with someone or presenting
an idea to someone for the first time.
The purpose of verbal information is to find out
something, or to instruct something. It can also be
used to reprimand, for example if there was an issue with students, the lecturer would use
verbal information to consult the students and get to the bottom of the issue.
An example of verbal information in Southern Regional College would be induction. So, in
the students first week at SRC, it would be an induction period where the students get to
know the staff and their new surroundings. Verbal communication would be used quite a lot
from both parties. If a pupil had any questions about the course they are enrolling in, they
could talk to a member of staff who would deal with their query. The source of this example
would be from the course lecturers, who are supplying the correct information surrounding
course details to the students. However, it must be noted that the lecturers get this
information from other sources such as the finance department which take to do with the
money side of the induction and services provided. This information is then passed on to the
lecturers to deliver to the students. It is very valid as it is coming straight from the lecturers
who know the most about the course they are teaching. The purpose of induction is to
,Conor Cunningham P1 M1
inform students about the course and getting them ready for the year ahead. So, it will sort
them out with bus passes, free meal passes, parking permits etc. During the induction there
is a strong connection to written communication as there is typically a lot of paperwork to
complete and fill out to ensure that students have fulfilled the correct criteria for the
course.
Another example of verbal information here at SRC would be staff meetings where the
course coordinators would talk to the lecturers discussing class times, class numbers or if
any events were coming up. The source of this information would be from the directors and
admin staff who create the timetables, which is then forwarded to the course coordinator
and lecturers. This is also very valid as it is coming from the course coordinator who knows
all about the course information, details, times etc. This helps to meet the purpose of verbal
information as it is informing the lecturers about what the subject they are teaching is
actually about and the details about the course for the year ahead.
Verbal communication has many advantages. A huge advantage is how fast it is. For
example, here in the SRC it will be much quicker for two students to have an oral
conversation about a piece of work, rather than emailing each other about it. Another
advantage of verbal communication would be the fact that body language can be expressed
and interpreted easily. We can see the immediate reaction from the person we are talking
to. For example, if a lecturer is presenting an idea to a lecturer in a different class, their
immediate response can be seen so a better indication of their feelings on the subject can
be analysed.
However, there are disadvantages of verbal communication. There is no record of
communication here. In SRC, if a confrontation takes place between a student and member
of staff, there may actually be no record of the conversation due to the fact that it occurred
orally. This is a negative particularly if something important is being proposed and a student
has no memory of the conversation. Verbal communication can also be a disadvantage as
the receiver of the information may be confused by the way in which information is
presented to them. If a student is told something in class and doesn’t understand it, they
may actually be too shy to speak up and having no hard copy of what is said means they
may miss out on valuable information relating to their work.
Verbal information is extremely useful in meeting its purpose. It can be a one on one
conversation where issues can be addressed and dealt with immediately, making it one of
the fastest types of communication here in the SRC.
Written information
Written information involves any type of communication that makes use of the written
word. Written communication is the most common form of business communication, and
one of the most effective. Written information is great form of communication due to the
fact that a hard copy can be kept and read over more than once. Whereas, if it was verbal,
the information may be forgotten because there is no hard copy to refer back to. Written
, Conor Cunningham P1 M1
information is used in SRC in many ways. For example, handouts, letters and instructions for
a piece of work. Letters are sent from many departments to students and parents
containing valuable information such as course details, contact details and information
surrounding upcoming events.
Sources of written information in the SRC are the staff in the administration department,
lecturers and teachers. However, other sources include the SRC website, Moodle and books.
Written information is a very common source of communication and it is seen everywhere
in the SRC. The prospectus is another source of written information where details of
courses, contact information, support and timetable information is presented.
The purpose of written information is to present new ideas, to inform and to instruct
people. For example, if there was a trip or day out organised for the Level 3 Business class in
the SRC, a letter would be sent out to all those students who it applies to and maybe the
parents of those who are under the age of 18. This type of information is useful as it means
people can’t say they did not know about the trip as everyone will have received the letter
to notify them of the trip. By using this letter, students learn what the trip is about and all
the other details which surround it.
An example of written information here in the SRC would be the prospectus. The prospectus
contains invaluable information about very important things such as course details, contact
information and support within the college. This written information is extremely important
in the SRC as it is informing those interested about what is on offer here. The way in which
the information is written is extremely important as it could be the difference between a
student choosing to study here or not. The prospectus is a highly valid source of written
information. It is extremely valid as it contains information which comes directly from
examining bodies and the staff in the SRC, thus meaning it is extremely reliable and many
queries can be answered by having a read at the prospectus. Different departments in the
SRC are also sources of the information in the Prospectus. The marketing department make
up the prospectus, as well as the finance department, human resources and college
services. This also adds to how relevant the prospectus is due to the fact that it is written by
reliable and valid sources.
Another example of written information here in the SRC
would be if a letter was sent home to all parents. At the
SRC, some news can be extremely private and confidential
so this information would be written and sent to all
appropriate recipients. In the eyes of the administration
department, written information in this case is probably
the most appropriate and suitable type of communication
due to the fact that if the recipient is unsure of anything,
they can read it again to try and make sense of it.
Whereas, if they were being told something important via verbal communication, it
sometimes can be hard to remember everything you have been told. If a letter is being sent
out, the administration department in the SRC can be sure that it has been delivered so
Types, Purposes and Sources of Business Information
Introduction:
This piece of research has been compiled for Mr Matthews, a line manager in the
administration department of the Southern Regional College. It illustrates the results of an
audit into the types of information used, the way in which it is used and how appropriate it
is in decision making within the college.
Verbal Information
Verbal information is simply the sharing of information between individuals using speech. It
is probably the most common form of communication used to inform and instruct people.
Here at Southern Regional College it is used extensively. Verbal communication is a great
type of communication as any confusion can be
resolved right away as it is very much face-to-face.
Sources of verbal communication at SRC would be
the lecturers, pupils and admin staff. This type of
information is a fantastic way to get information
across to others as not only can you inform and
instruct, you can also see initial reactions when
having a conversation with someone or presenting
an idea to someone for the first time.
The purpose of verbal information is to find out
something, or to instruct something. It can also be
used to reprimand, for example if there was an issue with students, the lecturer would use
verbal information to consult the students and get to the bottom of the issue.
An example of verbal information in Southern Regional College would be induction. So, in
the students first week at SRC, it would be an induction period where the students get to
know the staff and their new surroundings. Verbal communication would be used quite a lot
from both parties. If a pupil had any questions about the course they are enrolling in, they
could talk to a member of staff who would deal with their query. The source of this example
would be from the course lecturers, who are supplying the correct information surrounding
course details to the students. However, it must be noted that the lecturers get this
information from other sources such as the finance department which take to do with the
money side of the induction and services provided. This information is then passed on to the
lecturers to deliver to the students. It is very valid as it is coming straight from the lecturers
who know the most about the course they are teaching. The purpose of induction is to
,Conor Cunningham P1 M1
inform students about the course and getting them ready for the year ahead. So, it will sort
them out with bus passes, free meal passes, parking permits etc. During the induction there
is a strong connection to written communication as there is typically a lot of paperwork to
complete and fill out to ensure that students have fulfilled the correct criteria for the
course.
Another example of verbal information here at SRC would be staff meetings where the
course coordinators would talk to the lecturers discussing class times, class numbers or if
any events were coming up. The source of this information would be from the directors and
admin staff who create the timetables, which is then forwarded to the course coordinator
and lecturers. This is also very valid as it is coming from the course coordinator who knows
all about the course information, details, times etc. This helps to meet the purpose of verbal
information as it is informing the lecturers about what the subject they are teaching is
actually about and the details about the course for the year ahead.
Verbal communication has many advantages. A huge advantage is how fast it is. For
example, here in the SRC it will be much quicker for two students to have an oral
conversation about a piece of work, rather than emailing each other about it. Another
advantage of verbal communication would be the fact that body language can be expressed
and interpreted easily. We can see the immediate reaction from the person we are talking
to. For example, if a lecturer is presenting an idea to a lecturer in a different class, their
immediate response can be seen so a better indication of their feelings on the subject can
be analysed.
However, there are disadvantages of verbal communication. There is no record of
communication here. In SRC, if a confrontation takes place between a student and member
of staff, there may actually be no record of the conversation due to the fact that it occurred
orally. This is a negative particularly if something important is being proposed and a student
has no memory of the conversation. Verbal communication can also be a disadvantage as
the receiver of the information may be confused by the way in which information is
presented to them. If a student is told something in class and doesn’t understand it, they
may actually be too shy to speak up and having no hard copy of what is said means they
may miss out on valuable information relating to their work.
Verbal information is extremely useful in meeting its purpose. It can be a one on one
conversation where issues can be addressed and dealt with immediately, making it one of
the fastest types of communication here in the SRC.
Written information
Written information involves any type of communication that makes use of the written
word. Written communication is the most common form of business communication, and
one of the most effective. Written information is great form of communication due to the
fact that a hard copy can be kept and read over more than once. Whereas, if it was verbal,
the information may be forgotten because there is no hard copy to refer back to. Written
, Conor Cunningham P1 M1
information is used in SRC in many ways. For example, handouts, letters and instructions for
a piece of work. Letters are sent from many departments to students and parents
containing valuable information such as course details, contact details and information
surrounding upcoming events.
Sources of written information in the SRC are the staff in the administration department,
lecturers and teachers. However, other sources include the SRC website, Moodle and books.
Written information is a very common source of communication and it is seen everywhere
in the SRC. The prospectus is another source of written information where details of
courses, contact information, support and timetable information is presented.
The purpose of written information is to present new ideas, to inform and to instruct
people. For example, if there was a trip or day out organised for the Level 3 Business class in
the SRC, a letter would be sent out to all those students who it applies to and maybe the
parents of those who are under the age of 18. This type of information is useful as it means
people can’t say they did not know about the trip as everyone will have received the letter
to notify them of the trip. By using this letter, students learn what the trip is about and all
the other details which surround it.
An example of written information here in the SRC would be the prospectus. The prospectus
contains invaluable information about very important things such as course details, contact
information and support within the college. This written information is extremely important
in the SRC as it is informing those interested about what is on offer here. The way in which
the information is written is extremely important as it could be the difference between a
student choosing to study here or not. The prospectus is a highly valid source of written
information. It is extremely valid as it contains information which comes directly from
examining bodies and the staff in the SRC, thus meaning it is extremely reliable and many
queries can be answered by having a read at the prospectus. Different departments in the
SRC are also sources of the information in the Prospectus. The marketing department make
up the prospectus, as well as the finance department, human resources and college
services. This also adds to how relevant the prospectus is due to the fact that it is written by
reliable and valid sources.
Another example of written information here in the SRC
would be if a letter was sent home to all parents. At the
SRC, some news can be extremely private and confidential
so this information would be written and sent to all
appropriate recipients. In the eyes of the administration
department, written information in this case is probably
the most appropriate and suitable type of communication
due to the fact that if the recipient is unsure of anything,
they can read it again to try and make sense of it.
Whereas, if they were being told something important via verbal communication, it
sometimes can be hard to remember everything you have been told. If a letter is being sent
out, the administration department in the SRC can be sure that it has been delivered so
