Name: Class: Date:
Chapter 05: Communicating Electronically
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is true of the selection of a channel of communication?
a. If a message is straightforward and informative, a technological communication channel is inappropriate.
b. Before choosing a communication channel, it should be determined whether a permanent record of a message
is needed or if a temporary form would suffice.
c. Employees that are floors apart or in different offices or time zones cannot benefit from email and Web
communications.
d. Personal interaction cannot replace written communication, printed or online, which is essential in today's
team-based work environments.
ANSWER:
2. Which of the following statements is true of a company's right over its employees' electronic communication?
a. A company cannot intercept its employees' electronic communications.
b. A company cannot use its employees' electronic communication to determine legitimate business use.
c. A company can monitor its employees' electronic communications without consent.
d. A company technically owns its employees' electronic communications.
ANSWER:
3. Which of the following considerations must be made before sending a message?
a. An electronic format is preferred over a face-to-face encounter for sensitive situations.
b. A technological option is inappropriate if a message is straightforward and informative.
c. A message will not be lost if conveyed electronically.
d. A communication channel should fit a sender's purpose.
ANSWER:
5. _____ is effective when sending a single message to several recipients and when needing to communicate 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year.
a. Email
b. Malware
c. A wiki
d. A weblog
ANSWER:
6. Which of the following is an advantage of email communication?
a. It reduces a company's costs.
b. It offers a personal touch.
c. It is safe from malicious attacks.
d. It ensures a quick verbal response.
ANSWER:
7. Which of the following guideline should you follow for effective email communication?
a. Send to single or multiple addressees.
b. Avoid restating the subject in the body of a message.
c. Focus on multiple topics in a single message.
Page 1
Email communication has been an essential part of business operations. In a business environment, email is used to inform employees and clients about work-related issues.
Employees are informed of their schedules, work-related instructions, and assigned tasks through this medium. Companies use email to communicate with clients and vendors, and to send important business updates, notifications, and reminders.
Different Ways Business Use Email
Email can serve many purposes, and it's used as a primary communication tool for many departments. Here are some of the ways businesses use email.
1. Marketing
Savvy businesses use email to send marketing messages to potential clients. Their email marketing campaigns contain links to the company website, product details, and special offers. Email marketing builds rapport with customers and maintains their loyalty. It's a perfect channel for marketing communication because it allows businesses to reach large audiences at once as well as send highly personalized one-to-one communication with interested customers.
2. Customer Support
Businesses often use email to provide customer care. The core tasks of customer service are handling customer inquiries, resolving complaints, and responding to customer requests. Email is a perfect channel for this because, unlike the phone, email is asynchronous. Customers can read and respond to emails at their leisure and across multiple devices.
3. Product Announcements
Businesses use email to announce product launches, sales, and other promotions. Email marketing messages contain special offers, product information, promotional codes, and links to the company website. Email enables businesses to send a large quantity of information to a large audience quickly and inexpensively.
4. Employee Communication
Email is also an excellent tool of communication for employees and executive staff. Email is used to communicate about work-related issues, such as employee schedules, assignments, employee engagement surveys, and work-related instructions. What makes it so suitable for internal communication is the fact that everyone can easily search for past correspondence.
Six benefits of using email for business communication
Here are some of the advantages of using email for business communication:
1. Efficiency
The average response time for email is much lower than postal mail. Emails are communicated quickly. Email is also preferred by employees over the telephone and face-to-face communication.
2. Affordability
Email is a cost-effective communication medium. Compared to all forms of traditional marketing, it is by a long shot the most cost-effective yet. Through email, you can reach tens of thousands of potential customers at a fraction of the cost of other marketing channels.
3. Versatility
Email can be used for multiple purposes. It can be used as a primary communication tool or as a supplementary tool of communication. From marketing to HR, email has a broad scope of application.
4. Accessibility
Email messages can be accessed from anywhere at any time. This is especially important now when remote work is becoming the norm. It allows for organizations to stay connected and under control, even while people are working from home.
5. Mobile and Interconnected
Email messages can be accessed from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It can also be accessed from a computer that is connected to Wi-Fi. This is also one of the advantages that really shines as the popularity of remote work and mobility continues to grow.
6. Scalability
Email messages can be transmitted in high volumes to accommodate the large communication needs of a company. As data is becoming the new oil, large database systems require high-throughput messaging systems, and email systems have the capacity to accommodate this need.
Downsides of Email
Although it has many advantages, email is not without downsides. Here are some of the things to look out for when using email for business communication:
Spam – Many email messages that arrive without the sender’s permission are spam. Spam messages are annoying and waste time and money. To protect against spam, use email filtering software to scan incoming email messages.
Viruses – When email messages are opened by a person who is not authorized, viruses can enter the system. To prevent viruses, use antivirus and anti-spam software.
Archiving – Email messages can be deleted or modified by hackers and employees. To reduce the chance of losing emails, use email archiving solutions to save a copy of every email message in a safe depository.
Employee intrusion – Intruders or hackers can gain entry into employee email accounts and steal information. To prevent intrusions, use strong passwords to protect employee accounts.
Conclusion
Email is a crucial tool for communication in business. It's a low-cost, reliable, and versatile communication medium that can be effective for both internal and external communication.
When used effectively, it can help businesses achieve important business goals. Companies should, however, be aware of its downsides and use email safely.
Follow these tips to get the most out of email for business communication.
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