Communication is a fundamental component of success for any business. Effective communication fosters productivity, minimizes issues, and encourages development. It helps create a culture that inspires, challenges and rewards your team for a job well done.
When it comes to being a business owner, it’s important to assess and improve your communication skills as well as those of your leadership team. At the same time, optimizing the way you communicate and collect information is also a key factor in this equation. There is so much potential to increase your bottom line and your company morale simply by keeping your staff informed and connected. When you establish a workplace environment that invites and appreciates feedback you are setting yourself and your business up for success.
It doesn’t matter if you have a brick-and-mortar store or if you own a virtual business, these five methods can help any business owner improve their internal communication.
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Don’t complicate things
Nothing is worse than confused communication channels. That’s why it is best to keep the workplace communication simple, clear, and to the point. It’s easy to forget as the business owner that your team doesn’t have all the information at their fingertips. This is extremely common in businesses where the business owner or members of the leadership team invest time in acquiring knowledge about products or services in their specific industry.
While this information is beneficial and helpful for the business, it may not be appropriate to share everything you learn with the team. Too much information can bog down productivity and slow the process.
Whether you are conveying new information about products or procedures or setting expectations for completing a particular project, make sure you convey your message as clearly as possible. Speak the language your staff can understand and avoid being vague or confusing. This often leads to misinterpretation or misunderstandings and can result in costly mistakes. Be specific when setting expectations, implementing new policies, or assigning tasks. Including details about exactly what you expect and when will go a long way towards setting your team up for success and ensuring business runs smoothly.
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Hear more, talk less
There is a saying that states: 80% of results will come from 20% of the action. Successful leaders know that effective communication requires 80% listening and 20% talking.
Encourage open and honest communication by making sure communication is a two-way street, especially when the conversation is between a superior and subordinate.
Allowing the opportunity for employees to ask questions, provide feedback, and express their concerns is a sure way to boost morale because they will feel heard and appreciated.
Always be mindful of what your employees are telling you. Their input and insights can prove to be invaluable and overtime, this practice can build rapport and trust between you and your employees.
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Leverage technology
Technology has revolutionized communication in and out of the workplace. Going beyond desktop computers and email, there are several new groundbreaking ways to support internal communication.
For instance, the use of mobile technology has made it easy for business owners and employees to stay connected while on the go.
Technology like Slack allows employees to instant message each other in real-time on either a computer or mobile phone, allowing faster response time and convenience.
Find what works for you and your employees, the options are endless!
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Keeping the whole team connected
If you have remote staff on your team, communication should be at the top of your list of challenges.
In this case, voice or video conferencing via platforms like Skype, Go to Meetings, or Zoom will bring weekly department meetings to life. Cloud-based team collaboration platforms like Asana make it easy for all employees to manage projects together and connect in real time. This is especially important if team members work non-traditional hours or are located in different time zones.
When it comes to communication, the time and effort spent to find a solution that works for the whole team is worth it. A well-oiled machine has no squeaky wheels and it runs efficiently and effectively! Keep that in mind when starting your own business or when improving your business!