COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE
COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE
Successful or effective letter writing has been a key part of business communication for centuries. It can promote good relations, increase profits, influence decisions, enhance a company’s profile to the outside world. It is also considered to be one of the most critical communication skills boosting one’s career and reputation.
On the other hand, unclear writing can mark lack of professionalism, lead to delays, misunderstandings and loss of money or good business relations. Therefore, good writing skills are as essential a part of business education as accounting and economics.
Of course, external correspondence does not only involve letters, but emails as well. Especially the Internet has revolutionized the method we communicate in business. Some companies and industries have almost abandoned writing letters even when corresponding with professionals outside their organization and adopted the email culture. It is therefore important, when establishing rapport with new businesses, to learn about the cultures and their preferred methods of communicating.
Although methods have changed drastically —from the clay tablet, the quill and the typewriter to the email— there is one thing that has remained untouched: the need to express your ideas and make your points clearly, concisely and courteously. Technology along with consumer demand have undoubtedly in-creased competition and have urged business to focus attention on customer service, which in turn requires employees to be equipped with social and analytical skills, critical ability as well as the ability to write even in the era of the email.
Written letters can provide many benefits and can sometimes be the most appropriate form of communication. Here are some benefits that written correspondence provides:
It can serve as legal documentation. When you respond to lawsuit threats, or to letters of complaint about product safety, when you want to inform employees about terminating your cooperation, or employers a