Why is building up the communications skills of employees something a company should not pass up on? Does the industry that your company belong to matter? How does one conduct communications training to maximum productivity? Let us first go back to basics. What does it mean to communicate? What are the medium used to communicate? How does one ensure minimum probability of misunderstanding?
I talk. I write. I paint. I dance. I sing. I play an instrument. I act. I do. All of those mentioned are ways that a person can communicate to another person. However, the larger thing is if the person sending the message is able to effectively communicate the message he wants to send or convey.
Communication is most effective when it is understood by all persons involved in the process. It is most effective when the receivers are able to decode the message the way the sender meant it to be decoded. The key to effective communication is to rid the message anything that may lead it to be interpreted in another way.
But how does a sender ensure that he is sending a message which has the least possibility of being misinterpreted? Consider the following factors to help you effectively communicate your ideas or thoughts: there are barriers to communication (which are considered noise), there are different communication styles, remember cultural differences between persons involved, there are appropriate communication channels for different types of messages and always consider your audience or receiver.
So where does your business come in? What can your business profit from investing in communication skills? The answer is obvious. Your company is made up of people. Some genius once said that in business communications is everything. The hard truth is, it is; starting from business development down to personal selling or marketing. In a business environment, communication is downright and flat out critical. It is crucial that internal communication, which includes managers to employees communication, is effective or it could go downhill for that company fast. A message must be understood in its entity for it to be effective. The importance of effective communication can never be overemphasized.
Effective communication is the backbone of an organizations ability to thrive in the business arena. It gives a company the flexibility to respond to the changes in the market without disruption of operations, thereby saving the company from wasted time, resources and man power.
Effective communication leads to productivity. How? When managers are able to send messages effectively to their subordinates and subordinates are effectively able to do their reports, report their grievances and suggestions to their seniors, you are able to establish harmony in the communication channels of your business. Effective communication in companies also helps avoid undesired and unnecessary delays in operations or implementation of a policy or transactions.
In some industries, if not all, ineffective communication is very expensive; and because of the rapid developing technology, communications has become even more important as businesses now deal with clients over the phone and other technologies. The business arena can receive even small players for global competition. As a manager or business owner, effective communication will provide a good start to a good style of management. Your employees will know what is expected of them and give them the knowledge of how to do what they know they should or could do for the company.
So how do you start on building on communication skills? First, make the workplace environment conducive to open communication. Address communication styles differences and think of ways to overcome them. Provide your employees training and the tools that they may need to help them communicate effectively verbally or non verbally.
Stop preaching and start doing. Let them see your ears in action. Practice active listening. Make it a point to repeat a point back to the sender, even if it is just for confirmation or acknowledgment. Show both body and verbal response to a conversation with your subordinates.
Talk and convey your messages with clarity, both in meaning and show of emotions. Remember that communication is also considered signaling. It is more than just a transmission of thoughts. Your thoughts convey certain emotions or responses.
Bank on your communication skills of your employees and the return of investment is going to come even years after.