COMMUNICATION

Communication is the act of sending and receiving message/information from one person or place to another. Communication could be oral, written or visual.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION TO COMMERCE

It facilitates contacts between businessmen
It creates awareness for goods and services thereby increasing demand for goods/sales
It facilitates the settlement of business debts e.g. Mail transfer
The use of wireless makes it possible to control ships, aeroplanes, spacecrafts etc.
It facilitates mail order business
It links the whole world into one economic unit thereby facilitating international trade.
It facilitates the distribution of vital business documents as well as goods
It reduces the cost and risk in traveling for business transactions

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

Posters ii. Radio iii. Television iv. Letters v.Telephone vi. Telegrams vii. Telex viii. Internet ix. Satellite x. Post office.

FUNCTIONS/SERVICES OF NIPOST

Issuance of postage stamps
Ordinary letter post
Parcel post
Registered Letters
Express Letters
Private boxes (P.O Box) and bags (P.M.B)
Poste Restante
Recorded Delivery
Business Reply Services
Licensing of franking machine.
Free post
Air mail services
Acting as agent of payment
Cash on Delivery (C.O.D) Services
Acts as a savings Bank
Provision of means of payment e.g. postal orders, money orders etc.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

List five services provided by NIPOST.
State five importance of communication in commerce.

FUNCTIONS/SERVICES OF NITEL

Telephone services
GSM services i.e. through MTEL
Telex Services – for printed messages sent through machines called teleprinter
Satellite services e.g. for live transmissions of games ,events etc
Data Transmission Services
Provision of Telephone Directories
Telegram Services

FUNCTIONS/ADVANTAGES OF COURIER SERVICES

Fast and safe delivery of mails and parcels
They undertake air cargo and bulky shipments of commodities
They render nationwide (and world wide) services. Services are extended even to rural areas.
Twenty four hour services are provided
Important mails and parcels are insured
Their services are more personal and cordial
The courier companies provide employment opportunities

Differences between the Courier Services and Post Office Service

	Courier services	Postal services
1	Materials are usually insured	Materials are not usually insured
2	Loss of goods are low	Loss of goods are high
3	Very expensive	Relatively cheaper
4	Very quick, efficient and reliable service	Very slow and inefficient service
5	Longer hours of services are rendered	Less hours of services are rendered
6	Nationwide and worldwide coverage	Less coverage of activities
7	Personal and cordial relationship with customers	Less personal attention is given to customers
8	Provide door- to-door service	Do not usually door-to-door service

EVALUATION

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State five functions of a) NIPOST b) NITEL
List five advantages of courier services over public postal services

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Mail order firms largely depend on the services of the a) banks b) insurance companies
c) mobile vans d) post office
Telecommunication services are provided by a) NITEL b) NIPOST c) courier services d) Bureau De Change
Which of the following involves the delivery of mails to a traveler without fixed address

(a) Speed post (b) Reply paid (c) Recorded delivery (d) Poste Restante

The fastest and mot accurate means of passing information is (a) airmail letter (b) express letter (c) telegram (d) telephone
In which of the following does the number of words used determine the cost of the message
a) Telephone b) Recorded delivery c) Telex d) Express mail.

THEORY