2.4

Internal and external communication

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)  · Unit 2: People in business  · 9 flashcards

Internal and external communication is topic 2.4 in the Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450) syllabus , positioned in Unit 2 — People in business , alongside Motivating employees, Organisation and management and Recruitment, selection and training.  In one line: Internal communication refers to the exchange of information within an organization. An example is a memo sent from the manager to employees regarding a change in company policy.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (short-answer questions, built around a pre-released case study) and Paper 2 (extended case-study analysis).

The deck below contains 9 flashcards — 5 definitions and 4 key concepts — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 5 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

'internal communication' and provide an example

Internal communication refers to the exchange of information within an organization. An example is a memo sent from the manager to employees regarding a change in company policy.

Questions this Internal and external communication deck will help you answer

Definition Flip

Define 'internal communication' and provide an example.

Answer Flip

Internal communication refers to the exchange of information within an organization. An example is a memo sent from the manager to employees regarding a change in company policy.

Key Concept Flip

Explain the difference between 'one-way' and 'two-way' communication.

Answer Flip

One-way communication involves information flowing in one direction only, such as a company-wide announcement. Two-way communication involves feedback and interaction between the sender and receiver, like a staff meeting.

Definition Flip

What are three methods of 'verbal' communication in a business?

Answer Flip

Verbal communication involves spoken words. Examples include face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, and presentations to colleagues.

Definition Flip

Give two examples of 'written' communication methods used internally in a business.

Answer Flip

Written communication includes reports and emails. These are used for formal information sharing, record-keeping, or conveying complex ideas.

Key Concept Flip

Outline two potential 'barriers to communication' within a company.

Answer Flip

Barriers include poor language skills leading to misunderstanding and physical barriers preventing communication, such as a noisy work environment.

Definition Flip

Define 'external communication' and give an example.

Answer Flip

External communication is the exchange of information between a business and external stakeholders. This includes advertising to customers, dealing with suppliers, or public relations activities.

Key Concept Flip

Explain the role of 'feedback' in effective communication.

Answer Flip

Feedback allows the sender to know if the message was received and understood, ensuring communication is effective. It allows for clarification and correction if needed.

Key Concept Flip

What is the difference between 'formal' and 'informal' communication?

Answer Flip

Formal communication follows established channels within the organization (

Example: memos, reports). Informal communication is more casual and unstructured (. water cooler chat).
Definition Flip

Give two examples of 'visual' communication methods a business might use.

Answer Flip

Visual communication uses images and graphics to convey messages. Examples include charts in a presentation, or diagrams in a training manual.

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2.3 Recruitment, selection and training 3.1 Marketing, competition and the customer

Key Questions: Internal and external communication

Define 'internal communication' and provide an example.

Internal communication refers to the exchange of information within an organization. An example is a memo sent from the manager to employees regarding a change in company policy.

What are three methods of 'verbal' communication in a business?

Verbal communication involves spoken words. Examples include face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, and presentations to colleagues.

Give two examples of 'written' communication methods used internally in a business.

Written communication includes reports and emails. These are used for formal information sharing, record-keeping, or conveying complex ideas.

Define 'external communication' and give an example.

External communication is the exchange of information between a business and external stakeholders. This includes advertising to customers, dealing with suppliers, or public relations activities.

Give two examples of 'visual' communication methods a business might use.

Visual communication uses images and graphics to convey messages. Examples include charts in a presentation, or diagrams in a training manual.

More topics in Unit 2 — People in business

Internal and external communication sits alongside these Business Studies decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

2.1 Motivating employees

10 flashcards
2.2 Organisation and management

10 flashcards
2.3 Recruitment, selection and training

10 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0450 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

communication internal communication external communication one-way communication two-way communication formal communication informal communication verbal written visual electronic email memo report notice meeting barriers to communication feedback

Key terms covered in this Internal and external communication deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

'internal communication' and provide an example
Three methods of 'verbal' communication in a business
Give two examples of 'written' communication methods used internally in a business
'external communication' and give an example
Give two examples of 'visual' communication methods a business might use

How to study this Internal and external communication deck

Start in Study Mode, attempt each card before flipping, then rate Hard, Okay or Easy. Cards you rate Hard come back within a day; cards you rate Easy push out to weeks. Your progress is saved in your browser, so come back daily for 5–10 minute reviews until every card reads Mastered.