How to Communicate Effectively in Business

How to Communicate Effectively in Business

What is communication?

How to communicate effectively

For easy understanding, this section is divided into two.

How to develop:

1. Effective communication between you and your team members in the organization.

2. Effective communication between you and your customers.

This is because relating with customers is different from relating with your employees or team members. Your employees are well known to you. They are more of your inner circle. They understand the policies governing the business but your customers do not. They are strangers that you are trying to turn to friends and if care is not taken, they will become strangers again.

How to communicate effectively with your employees

1. Have a primary communication channel

With a primary communication channel, information will quickly reach each employee. Since they are aware of it being a designated channel, it is only ethical for them to check for the latest information and updates. However, some employees need to see information multiple times before they make it a date. So you should as well diversify your messaging. But only after the primary hub.

2. Understand your employees

To ensure effective communication, try to understand your employees. Their general attitude to working policies, their dislikes, and what they would like to be added or removed following company operations. You can create surveys to check for these and as well to find out if they’re getting the information they need.

3. Engage your employees

According to Gallup’s report on employee engagement, companies with a highly engaged workforce have 21% higher profitability. They also have 17% higher productivity than companies with a disengaged workforce. This statistic says only one thing. Get your employees involved in the company’s operations and watch your business grow simultaneously

4. Be approachable

Would you like to work with someone that wears an angry face every time? Looking frustrated and ready to pounce on you any moment? Who loves transferring aggression at the slightest inconvenience? Of course not! Being approachable will help to facilitate conversation and subsequently build an amazing relationship with your employees.

5. Invest in physical communication

There was a time I was on a commercial bus. The passenger sitting next to me had to meet one of his bosses at the central market. The boss called and asked where he was currently at. He said he’s at the bus stop next to the central market. While we were just entering the city. Okay, forgive me for listening to someone else’s conversation but I couldn’t help it because he was right beside me. Now, forget the lies they tell, nothing beats having a physical conversation with your employees. You get to see their reactions. And their thought about a particular thing. For more on communication, see easy ways to improve your communication skills.

6. Measure effectiveness through a reward system

According to Hubspot, 69% of employees say they’d work harder if they were better appreciated. Organize training and seminars to educate your employees. Evaluate them and reward the hardworking ones. It could be through promotions or awards at the end-of-the-year party. This will prompt others to do more.

How to communicate effectively with your customers

1. Be an active listener

2. Improve your products and services based on their feedback

Customer feedbacks help to improve the overall outlook of your business. remember, your products are meant for your customers. So you have to look up to how you can do better following their feedback.

3. Keep things simple and straightforward

Talk to your customers like you’re talking to a baby. This means that you have to talk in the simplest language they understand. Rather than use big and ambiguous words, use simple ones. Instead of saying “take action”, say “act”. Instead of “for”, say “to”. Instead of “in as much as”, use “since”. These words are less wordy and more understandable.

4. Be honest

Don’t ever tell a lie to your prospects or customers to get them to buy from you. Because when they start to use your products, they will find out the truth. And this will have a bad influence on your business. Remember the KLT formula I talked about at the beginning of this post? Exactly. You have to be honest to get them to trust you.

5. End every conversation with an invitation

Let me tell you a secret. Your customers don’t know what to do. So help them decide the next line of action. Instead of just ending the conversation, offer additional benefits to your customer. Finish every conversation with “Let me know if there’s anything I can help with. This sense of willingness will make your customer believe that you will go extra mile for them. There you have it, how you can communicate effectively in the business space. One more thing, you forgot, I didn’t. Remember I promised to give you a bonus at the end of this post? It is a gift that will help you to learn how to communicate, not only in business but in life generally. It is a book by Leil Lowndes titled 'How to Talk to Anyone; 92 Little Tricks For Big Success in Relationships'. You can download it on pdfdrive.com for free. Finally, I hope you find this article helpful. Is there something else you will like to know about business communication? You can ask and I will do my best to answer all. You might also be interested in how to improve your negotiation skills.