Forms and Benefit of Electronic Communication in McDonalds Corporation - Case Study Example

Electronic Communication By: Professor: Class: University: City: State: Date of submission: Electronic Communication Introduction Communication is important for making decisions, planning control, and coordination. With increased advancement in technology, electronic transmission of data has been able to facilitate global communication and connection of people irrespective of their geographic location (Young, 2004). Electronic communication involves transferring the writings, signals, data, intelligence, images, and signs through electronic devices. In addition, electronic communication allows transmission of messages and information through computer systems, satellite networks, tele- and video-conferencing. With electronic technology, there have been changes in jobs, cultures, and working conditions as it allows people to access easily global communication without physical movement (Young, 2004). Using e-communication allows interaction of people in different ways and combines various media forms in the process. The companies also integrate electronic communication in their operations with an aim of improving business operations and preventing the occurrence of obstacles like long distance communication with the clients. Business Background McDonald’s began in 1954 in the USA and operates within the fast foods industry. Throughout the years, the business has been able to increase its market share through diversification of the products and services it renders to the customers. With increased need for efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services, the business managed to integrate electronic communication strategies to facilitate both internal and external communications. Furthermore, various consumer behaviours are changing including the manner they order their needed products and communicate with the businesses. Through electronic communication, the business has been able to improve its responsiveness and competitive advantages to outdo the major competitors such as ASOS, Red Bull, Walmart, and Starbucks. Most of its competitors use various social media platforms in engaging the customers. The business sends newsletters to send customers information through their emails and ensuring the establishment of two-way communication. Forms and Benefit of Electronic Communication To communicate with both external and internal stakeholders, the business relies on electronic communication. Throughout the years, it has been able to receive its competitive advantage through effective integration of various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+. These media offer the simplest way of reaching the customers considering they less costly. With increased use of mobile phones and use of these social media platforms, the business has been able to capture even more customers due to its improved responsiveness. Electronic communication involves the transmission of information through improved technology; however, there have been increased challenges associated with using technology such hacking and infiltration into important organizational information (Young, 2004). The business also has clear records of the customers’ information such as mobile phones and email addresses. To enhance delivery of services and allow customers to make their orders online, the business managed to develop its mobile applications. Electronic communication allows speedy communication considering that it only requires few seconds to communicate as it supports quick transmission. Currently, customers are seeking business that are able effectively and efficiently meet their needs; therefore, through electronic communication, the business is able to identify specific needs of the customers. Besides speedy transmission, the business also enjoys wide coverage of the customers. Technology enables adequate segmentation of the market and penetration, which in turn enables increment in the market share. The world is currently becoming a global village especially with the improved level of communication. Of all the methods of communication, electronic communication presents the less expensive method considering that it saves both time and money. McDonald’s also enjoys exchange of feedback through electronic communication with customers being in a position of receiving their immediate feedback. Therefore, communication becomes more effective while using the electronic media. Throughout the years, the business has grown to a multinational corporation. Electronic communication assists in managing global operations due to improved electronic media permits easy control of operations across the global market. In such regard, video and teleconferencing email and mobile communication play significant roles. Problems with electronic communication Like any other technology factor, electronic communication tends to leave people vulnerable to various cyber attacks from the online criminals. As technology improves, hackers also continue to develop viruses and programs of infringing into the organizational database and stealing the clients’ information. Globally, cybercrime is an issue, which both the consumers and businesses need to aware of in a bid to protect important information. Stealing important information enables accessibility of various personal documents, which they use in accessing the credit and debits and conducting numerous online frauds (Young, 2004). Therefore, effective implementation of technology depends on the adequate installation of programs that protect personal information of the clients. Besides security threats from cyber related crimes, distractions and interruptions associated with compromise on the quality time on electronic communication. As a result, there could be damage on organizational intelligence quotient. In most cases, the customers are often compelled to check the emails and text messages even while not working which makes them vulnerable to interruptions. Recommendations Cyber attack is not only a problem to McDonald’s Corporation but also other businesses across the globe, which makes it important to develop effective methods of addressing them. Through installation of firewall and ensuring that security is up to date could assist in protecting the organizational database from the viruses and hackers, which in turn ensures safety and protection of clients’ information. To improve its reputation, the business should consider improving the quality of electronic communication to prevent interruptions, which could impact negatively on the perception of the customers. Cyber related activities are diverse and tracking them is difficult and requires adequate resources. Therefore, the business needs to ensure adequate protection of the client to maintain its competitive advantage, customer loyalty, and brand. Conclusion Electronic communication is important in every business as it ensures proper communication with both internal and external stakeholders in a cost effective manner. Although it presents numerous opportunities, there are challenges such as increased susceptibility to cyber related crimes and interferences associated with distractions, which in turn compromise the quality of services offered. To draw more clients, McDonald’s has to integrate effectively various electronic communication media as employed by the major competitors for sustainability and improved level of responsiveness. (Words: 997) Reference Young, P. H. (2004). Electronic communication techniques. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Reflection on Skills Learnt My name is……………….. I study at Gulf College, which offers some of the courses in collaboration with Staffordshire University. Through learning English for Business in classroom and acquired different skills, I intend to apply them in most aspects of life. Some of the skills learnt include: Brainstorming Brainstorming involves generation of new ideas around specific area of interest with an aim of solving problem. With the skills acquired, I will assist in having different view of the situation and using the rules of removing inhibition and think freely. Therefore, the skills will assist in moving into new areas of thoughts, which result into new ideas and solutions. Note taking Note taking involves capturing important information and noting them for future referencing. Human brain has no capacity of accommodating all the information received in classes or workshops, therefore note taking is important. In involves summarizing important information. In future, I intend to use the skills in capturing and noting down important information in seminars and academic workshops. Summarizing Summarizing involves putting major ideas down using personal words; however, it is important to attribute the summary to the original source. Through the skills acquired, I will be in a position of taking broader overview of the source information considering that I will have note down everything considered important from the part read. Paraphrasing Paraphrasing involves putting the passage from the source materials using my own words; however, I will have to attribute it to the original source. The paraphrased material needs to be shorter than the original passage. Through the skills acquired in paraphrasing, I will be a position of singling out important information from a text and putting it down in my words. I intend to use the skills acquired in copying the words from another source directly and upholding the quality of my work throughout. Plagiarism Plagiarism involves copying directly from another source without recognizing the author. Internationally, plagiarisms surmounts to academic dishonesty, which makes it a prosecutable crime. Through the skills acquired, I will use them in eliminating plagiarism in the works undertaken in a bid to improve the quality and upholding integrity in all the writings that I pursue. Plagiarism reduction skills are not only important in the schools but also outside the school setup. Referencing Referencing is important both in school and outside since it adds to the shared knowledge of the people involved in the academic area. Through using the ideas of others without their recognition is considered intellectual dishonesty. Through the acquired referencing skills, I will be in a position f showing the breadth of my research, strengthen my academic argument, and show high level of understanding the academic requirements. This will enable the readers to consult my sources independently, verify the information, and reduce the level of plagiarism. (Words: 468) Read More