Introduction
This paper is about business information and communication in Tesco PLC. As collection and management of information and effective communication are the keys to success for any organisation in this current world, the company makes great effort in this area(Tesco plc, 2016). The proper management of information collected from internal and external sources ensures the reliability and validity of the data. Therefore, Tesco PLC can use the information to make strategic decisions. In this paper, I will discuss different aspects of business information and communication, their effectiveness in the company’s success. I will also discuss various issues relating to business information and how the company mitigates these.
01: Understand different types of business information
Explain different types of business information, their sources, and purposes
Analyse different types of business information and their sources
Types of Business Information:
There exist several types of business information. The different types of business information used in Tesco PLC are illustrated below:
- Verbal Information: Verbal information is the best system to communicate because it is immediate real-time communication. Oral information can solve most of the problems.
- Written Information: Written information includes words, graphs, charts, and diagrams.
- On–screen Information: On-screen information consists of text, audio, video, animation and graphics, which are produced on-screen.
- Multimedia information: This type of business information is a combination of different media.
- Web–based Information: Web-based information allows the users to access the data from the web page via computer and smartphone.
Tesco PLC uses written communication and multimedia communication in presenting more complex information. On-screen information provides real-time that helps in the operation of the company. Web-based information enables remote availability of the company’s resources(BEVAN, COUPLAND-SMITH and DRANSFIELD, 2010).
Sources of Business Information:
The sources of information can be internal or external. These two sources of business information are briefly described below:
Internal Sources: An organisation has several departments, i.e. production, finance, marketing, sales, HR, customer service, etc. Information fetches from these sources can be called internal sources of information.
External Sources: Information can be collected from outside the company, i.e. research, government, commercially provided database and trade groupings, etc. (Richards, 2010).
Tesco PLC uses both sources of information in decision making. Internal sources of information are easier to access than external sources of information.
Purposes of Business Information:
Valid and accurate information is essential to the business. Without excellent and reliable information, a company cannot make decisions. Some of the purposes of business information are illustrated below (Davies, 2005):
- Acquiring and updating knowledge
- Understanding future development
- Offering competitive insight
- Strategic decisions and SWOT analysis
- Supporting business activities
- Offering sales promotion etc.
Evaluate the appropriateness of business information used to make strategic decisions
Tesco PLC can take strategic decisions based on business information. The information company uses to make strategic decisions must be valid and reliable. That can maximise the appropriateness of the use of business information in making strategic decisions. Tesco PLC uses Decision Support System (DSS) to ensure the appropriate use of business information(Tesco plc, 2016). For example, the company can analyse its sales growth over the years to decide whether the company will expand the number of stores. The company also can use its marketing research information to determine the alteration of its current marketing strategies.
Present complex internal business information using three different methods appropriate to the user’s needs
Tesco PLC uses different methods to present its complex internal business information to meet user’s needs (Davies, 2005). The plans Tesco PLC implements to give the complex internal business information are provided below:
Written communication: The Company uses written communication to present the company’s complex internal business information. For example, sales report, financial highlights, etc.
Face-to-face Communication: Face-to-face communication is also helpful in presenting the internal business to the information users.
Electronic Communication: Tesco PLC also uses electronic communication systems that enable the company to disclose its complex internal business information conveniently.
O2: Be able to present business information effectively
Produce corporate communications
Through corporate communication, Tesco PLC communicates with all of its stakeholders. The company gives great importance to corporate communication because it ensures the participation of all stake stakeholders. One of the company’ is the mission statement because it can define the purpose of the company. The use of advertisement and packaging is also a part of corporate communication (Lowe, 1999). Tesco PLC has a logo as a part of brand communication. This company has a sponsorship with many organisations. For example, Diabetes UK accumulated £18.6 million in partnership with Tesco PLC. The company also uses Strapline to inform the customers and potential customers about the activities of the company.
The effectiveness of business information and its communication as key contributors to the success of Tesco PLC
Tesco PLC is successfully using its business information and effectively communicates with its stakeholders. The company grew into a big business in The UK with the help of practical business information and successful corporate communication.
With business information and corporate communication, the company can listen and understand the customer to make the best possible offer. The company has better interaction with suppliers and growers with their system of business information and corporate communication. Another effectiveness of their business information and corporate communication is that the company is successfully working in the different channels to make the products and services more conveniently available to the customers (Argenti, 1998).
03: Understand the issues and constraints concerning the use of business information in organisations
The external corporate communications of Tesco Diet Cola
Tesco PLC maintains external corporate contact for its Tesco Diet Cola. The company produces special packaging for this product. The company also uses media for advertising this product to make it more popular among health-conscious people in the UK. The increasing sale of this product indicates that this product’s external corporate communication is successful. The company makes some special offers to make this product more popular. The company includes its logo in Diet Cola to increase the brand image of the product(Lowe, 1999).
Know how to communicate business information using appropriate methods
Explain the legal and ethical issues concerning the use of business information
Like every other organisation, Tesco PLC faces some legal and ethical issues when using business information(Evans and Tomlinson, 2005)
These issues can create an adverse impact on the company. The main three legal issues that may arise are pointed out below:
- The Data Protection Act 1998: Tesco PLC collects customers’ personal information to give loyal customers discounts, vouchers, and special offers. According to this law, the company must ensure that the collected data will not be misused and transferred to other parties (Niederst Robbins, 2001).
- The freedom of Information Act 2000: Tesco PLC is bound to reveal a customer’s information if the customer wants to know.
- Computer Misuse Act: According to the computer misuse act, Tesco PLC must protect the customer’s information Database from hacking and viruses.
Tesco PLC also has to deal with some ethical issues because these issues determine behaviours within the company. Some of the ethical issues that may arise in the company are illustrated below:
- Whistle Blowing: This ethic occurs when an employee of the company expresses his concern about fraud, crime or danger to his superior or other general public. The company must address the problems correctly.
- Use of the internet: Tesco PLC should ensure that the use of the internet within the company is related to the work. Personal social networking should be restricted during work hours.
- Use of Email: The Company also should ensure some ground rules regarding the use of email within the company
Analyse the legal, ethical and operational issues concerning the use of business information
The legal, ethical, and operational issues relating to the use of business information in the company is critical. According to (Guardian 2005), Tesco PLC creates a customer profile that includes personality, shopping preference, travel habit etc. The company allows some big companies in the UK to use the information. This action can violate the data protection act. So the company should be careful of allowing such kind of action. An example of operational issues can be the health and safety in the IT department. Tesco PLC has ensured that the different factors will not harm the users (Evans and Tomlinson, 2005).
Explain the operational issues concerning the use of business information
Operational issues may arise in Tesco PLC when using business information. Some of these operations are pointed out below:
Information Security
Information Backup
Health & safety
The policy of the organisation
Cost of development & additional resources
Business continuation Plan & Cost etc.
Tesco PLC needs to address these operational issues adequately. For example, the company must ensure a healthy and safe environment in its IT department. The company also should have organisational policies that can guide the management(Bevan, 2010).
Conclusion
In conclusion, I can say that business information and communication are factors of the company’s success and future. In the first part of this paper, I have discussed different types of information and their sources used in Tesco PLC. In the second part, I have figured out corporate communication and its effectiveness in communication with its stakeholders. In the last piece of this paper, I have discussed legal, ethical and operational issues relating to the use of information.
References & Bibliography
- BEVAN, J., COUPLAND-SMITH, H. and DRANSFIELD, R. (2010). BTEC national business level 3. Pearson Education Limited.
- Richards, C. (2010). BTEC level 3 national business. London: Edexcel.
- Bevan, J. (2010). Business. Pearson Education.
- Argenti, P. (1998). Corporate communication. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
- Davies, C. (2005). Finding and knowing. London: Routledge.
- Lowe, M. (1999). Business information at work. London: Aslib/IMI.
- Niederst Robbins, J. (2001). Web design in a nutshell. Beijing: O’Reilly.
- Tesco plc. (2016). Tesco plc. [online] Available at: http://www.tescoplc.com/ [Accessed 12 Apr. 2016].
- Evans, R. and Tomlinson, H. (2005). Tesco stocks up on inside knowledge of shoppers’ lives. [online] the Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/sep/20/freedomofinformation.supermarkets [Accessed 12 Apr. 2016].
