External Information Flows

1. Customers
   Whilst marketing are responsible for identifying potential customers and influencing the purchasing decisions it is sales who are responsible for finalising the transaction by making the sale.
   
   
2. Competitors
   Information about competitors is important to an organisation in planning its sales strategy.
   
   
3. Suppliers
   A company normally concentrates its purchasing to regular suppliers but smaller companies may need to have alternatives as a supplier may have split loyalties with other of its customers.
   If the organisation does not receive preferential treatment it may need to purchase from other sources.
   
   
4. Shareholders
   Are classed as the owners of a company however communication with them is external to the companies operational procedures.
   If a public company wishes to raise additional capitol to finance improvements a block of shares may be offered which new and existing shareholders may bid for.
   
   
5. Lenders
   An alternative method of raising funds for private and small companies could be in the form of a loan.
   
   
6. Inland Revenue
   A company is usually responsible for collecting tax from its employees (PAYE) and National Insurance
   
   
7. Custom and Excise
   A company is responsible for collecting VAT and duty on goods
   
   
8. Accountants
   Companies are required by law to audit their financial accounts on an annual basis.
   In large organisations these are recorded with a companies registrar and are presented to shareholders at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
   
   
9. Insurers
   Companies are vicariously responsible for their employees who come into contact with the public, responsible as a business for the safety of its employees and may need to take out insurance to cover these areas.
   Insurance may also be required for lost trade, buildings, stock and equipment.
   If a company runs its own pension for its employees this is can also be provided by insurers
   
   
10. Advertising Agencies
    Smaller companies may require support in this area.
    In larger organisations they will design advertising campaigns in newspapers, TV, magazines and posters
    
    
11. Market research agencies
    Companies may require information about how customers perceive their products or whether a proposed new product would sell.
    A specialist market research company is often a cost effective means of gathering the information.
    In large organisations which trade internationally market research agencies can identify opportunities.
    
    
12. Recruitment Agencies
    If a company requires specialist skills and doesn't want to waste time interviewing it is often cheaper to let a recruitment agency do this work.
    The agency can carry out the initial sifting, providing a short list for interview or can carry out the complete selection process on behalf of the company.
    However, many organisations who run an Internet Website will advertise vacancies on their web page.
    This is the electronic form of the notice board often seen in supermarkets.
    
    
13. Public relations agencies
    May be required by companies that are concerned about environmental issues.
    Large organisations are often very environmentally aware, spending large amounts on recycling water and ensuring that the impact of their organisation on the community is minimised.
    Intended extension in their operation often alarms local residents and their fears need to be allayed.
    In each of Unit 2 and 5 case studies the organisations have ground associated to them that would allow for future development.
    
    
14. Internet Service Providers
    In large organisations with the technical expertise to host their own web servers only an access to the web is required, in smaller organisations ISPs can offer hosting services to them and will maintain their web site for them.
    In the latter case they will provide statistical analysis of visitors to the site to the company.
    
    
15. Voice/Data Service Providers
    A company may not have its own technical expertise and needs to rent an internal telephone system.
    A company can purchase a system but buy in maintenance.
    
    
16. Computer and communications equipment providers
    In the case of computer equipment, because of the rapid change in development of computers it is difficult and expensive for a company to keep up-to-date.
    An alternative is to lease the equipment and then let the leaser to take over this responsibility.
    
    
17. Transport/Courier service providers
    Companies may prefer to despatch their products via such companies instead of running their own transport fleet.. Courier services may be employed to collect or despatch urgent spares required to repair a machine employed in a production process.
    
    
18. Utilities
    Electricity, gas and water are required by most organisations.