Summary:
Endorsed by OCR for use with the new OCR GCSE Business and Communications specification, this textbook has been written by experienced authors and examiners and covers all elements of the specification, including preparation for assessment.

Written in a lively and accessible manner and packed with images and illustrations, the book will ensure that students will study the correct topics to the appropriate depth to achieve the best possible results.

Key features:
* Differentiated activity types so that the text is suitable for candidates of all ability levels
* Lots of real life case studies and examples to motivate and engage students
* Exam tips and exam style questions to prepare students for the exam

Data files used in the activities are available at www.hodderplus.co.uk/businesscommunications

• Published in partnership with OCR
• Written by an experienced author and principal examiner for a major examining board
• The only textbook on the market that is specifically written for the qualification
• Lots of case studies and examples of the practical application of ICT skills within the business environment
• Website support at www.hodderplus.co.uk giving answers and data resources that can be used within ICT activities
• Differentiated activity types so that the text is suitable for candidates of all ability levels

Table of Contents:
Unit 1: Businesses and their communication systems
Section 1A: The business context
1.1 Why would anyone start a new business?
1.2 The main types of business organsation
1.3 How are businesses organised?
1.4 Business - success and failure
1.5 Doing business in an uncertain world
1.6 Ensuring good relationships with customers (1): the importance of customers and monitoring customer satisfaction
1.7 Ensuring good relationships with customers (2): measuring customer satisfaction
1.8 Ensuring good relationships with customers (3): customer service
1.9 Competition (1): measuring business competitiveness
1.10 Competition (2): how to become more competitive
1.11 The legal framework (1): employment law
1.12 The legal framework (2): health and safety at work
1.13 The legal framework (3): consumer protection
1.14 The legal framework (4): data protection and access to information
1.15 The legal framework (5): copyright and computer misuse
1.16 The legal framework (6): environmental protection
1.17 Ethics and social responsibility
Section 1B: Introduction to communication systems
1.18 Procedures for checking internal and external business communications
1.19 Manual and computer-based systems (1) manual systems
1.20 Manual and computer-based systems (2) computer-based systems
1.21 Input devices (1)
1.22 Input devices (2)
1.23 Output devices (1)
1.24 Output devices (2)
1.25 Computing devices (1)
1.26 Computing devices (2)
1.27 Storage devices (1)
1.28 Storage devices (2)
1.29 Back-up systems
1.30 Data security (1)
1.31 Data security (2)
1.32 Data security (3)
1.33 Systems to support e-commerce (1)
1.34 Systems to support e-commerce (2)
1.35 Preparing for the examination
Unit 2: Developing business communication systems
2.1 Business communication systems
2.2 Business communication methods
2.3 Internal business communication (1)
2.4 Internal business communication (2)
2.5 External business communication (1)
2.6 External business communication (2)
2.7 Communication devices (1)
2.8 Communication devices (2)
2.9 Stakeholders
2.10 The role of business communication systems in the success or failure of organisations
2.11 Capabilities and limitations of ICT-based systems
2.12 Changing business communication systems (1)
2.13 Changing business communication systems (2)
2.14 The controlled assessment
Unit 3: ICT skills for business communication systems
3.1 Producing straightforward business documents using a word processor
3.2 Creating simple images and logos using graphics software
3.3 Producing complex business documents using desk-top publishing software
3.4 Creating business presentations using presentation software
3.5 Producing web-pages using web-creation software
3.6 Analysing numerical information using a spreadsheet
3.7 Storing and managing customer and product records using a database
3.8 Organising diaries and meetings using diary-management software
3.9 Managing projects using project management software
3.10 Sharing information on the internet using blogs and wikis
3.11 Preparing for the examination
Index

About the Author(s):
Colin Harber-Stuart is a chief examiner for a major awarding body and is an experienced author and assessor.

Nina Rees is principal examiner for a major awarding body and is Head of IT at Coedcae School, Llanelli.

Readership:
Students taking the OCR GCSE Business Communication course