The history of business communication

The history of business communication is, of course, closely related to the history of communication itself and that of business operations. When the two merge, they become a vital part of trading success.

Communication is the process in which a concept is shared between two living beings. It can occur as a gesture, sound or visually in the form of images or prints. Some of the earliest forms of visual communication came in the form of pictographs. People transmitted stories, stories or instructions through a series of illustrations that were usually drawn on the walls of the caves. The second stage of written communication appeared as crude alphabets used to create written language. Communication mobility also occurred at this time, and writing was found on clay, wax, and tree bark. The next leap was that of the printing press during the 15th century. Then came the tremendous technological advance using air waves and electronic signals: radio and telephone.

At every stage of communication development, so did business practices. The advent of common alphabets and a written language meant that artisans could order raw materials from previously unreachable sources. Consumers living outside the city could order products from city merchants without having to make the trip. You can write and pay invoices and send purchase orders. It could even be assumed that international business practices began around this time. As exploration was taking place and new and wonderful things like spices and fabrics were being brought home, perhaps now written business communication made it possible for suppliers to offer their high-end customers the latest discoveries.

The print shop brought with it books, newspapers, and catalogs with advertisements for local businesses. Companies now had a completely new way of attracting new potential customers. The latest product developments could be announced, as well as sales and new services offered. Catalogs were usually printed only by companies that could afford such a high expense, but for many families living in rural areas it was their only means of purchase.

Print communication was very useful for both consumers and business owners, but when radio came into use in the late 19th century, it revolutionized business communication once again. Now the products and services of all companies could be marketed on the basis of mass communication. Once a home had a radio, broadcasts could go much further than any newspaper or catalog. And it was instantaneous. As soon as the message was delivered on the air, word spread. When running print ads, it could sometimes take weeks or months to get a response. Many entrepreneurs who saw the potential of radio were very successful. Their market share grew and, with it, their profits.

Once radio, telephone and television took off, they were not far behind. Of course, at first the telephone was not used for advertising in business, but rather as a practical tool. Manufacturers could communicate with representatives of raw materials, business owners could communicate with consumers, and investors could communicate with their beneficiaries. It was not until the latter part of the 20th century that the telephone was used to advertise a business, through telemarketing and fax. From its inception, television was used for marketing purposes. Media broadcasters would recruit local business owners to sponsor their show, in exchange for a few minutes of airtime to advertise their products. The exchange worked well.

When technology brought the computer and the Internet with it, business communication radically changed once again. In fact, the change was probably as important as when the printing press was invented. Not only could marketing spread more than ever, but the speed at which it could occur was revolutionary. Business operations could now become much more efficient, further increasing profits. Consumers had more voice in what they wanted and how they wanted to receive it. In many ways, the middle man was removed from the equation. There was no longer a need for street vendors. Customers could be reached in a much more cost-effective way through the use of computers and the Internet.

Our business practices have become so dependent on these forms of media that it is difficult to imagine life without them. But now that technology has evolved so far, customers are looking for companies that strive to communicate with their customers in more personal ways. Consumers want personalized service in a convenient way, so now business communication must evolve once again.

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