1. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

2. INFORMATION

3. Data is a collection of facts or quantities that has been assembled in some formal manner with the objective of processing it into specific information. DATA Information is data that has been processed into a form that assists decision making and planning INFORMATION Fred F Stone 38 7.60 Barney Rubble 32 6.50 Laura Croft 36 6.50 Annie Gunn 28 6.50 Employee Hours worked Rate of Pay Fred F Stone 38 7.60 Barney Rubble 32 6.50 Laura Croft 36 6.50 Annie Gunn 28 6.50

4. Sources of Information - Primary Researched and collected by an organisation for its own purposes. It is collected first hand. Eg Questionnaires Interviews Observation The information should be relevant to the needs of the organisation The information can be expensive and difficult to collect and also some people may lie when questioned.

5. Sources of Information - Secondary Researched and collected from published sources Eg Newspapers Textbooks the Internet Journals The information is inexpensive to collect and it should be easy to access The information can be out of date and is available to your competitors. It may also not be wholly relevant.

6. Sources of Information - Internal Researched and collected from within the organisation’s own records Eg Financial Information Personnel Information The information is relevant to the organisation and should be accurate There are the costs associated with setting up information systems.

7. Sources of Information - External Researched and collected from sources outside the organisation Eg Government reports Newspapers Competitors Accounts The information is valuable in providing the organisation with information about the external environment eg PEST The information can be out of date and is available to your competitors. It can also take time to collect the information.

8. Types of Information

14. COMMUNICATION

15. Purpose of Communication Communication is an important part of business. Managers must be able to communicate their wishes and instructions to subordinates, and the business must also communicate with the outside world to inform them of the products they sell.

16. Methods of Communication The main methods of communication are: Written Communication Verbal Communication Electronic Communication Visual Communication Body Language

17. How is ICT used to communicate? Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can be used to improve communication. Key ICT used in communication is shown below: Fax Video-conferencing E-mail Internet

20. EVALUATING INFORMATION It is important that managers and decision makers are not being given information that is irrelevant or unnecessary. The quality of information being used is therefore very important to the decision making process. In order to make proper use of information provided, the information must possess certain qualities. These are:

21. GOOD INFORMATION Complete Relevant Concise Comprehensive Timely Accurate Cost Effective