Ways to improve business communication

Effective communication is very important to running a successful business. Good communication can endear you to your customers, increase your brand image among your superiors, and make you admired by those who work under you. It can also help you take your business to the next level and earn huge profits. On the other hand, poor communication can limit the efficiency of your business. It can result in missing vital business deadlines, duplicating work processes, and most importantly, it can affect employee morale. According to a study conducted by Global English, “97% of employees surveyed believe that miscommunication as a result of inadequate business language skills can lead to misunderstandings.”

There is often a lot of disconnect in the communication process, which can be very costly for a business. They can be verbal misinterpretations, lack of interaction, missed emails, and unclear text or poorly worded messages. Effective communication, both internal and external, increases the organization’s effectiveness, enables smooth operations, and helps reduce business contingencies. Communication is generally of two types: digital and interpersonal. Here are some helpful tips to improve both of these, which can benefit your organization and keep things running smoothly.

digital communications: Most business communication is usually done through digital means, such as email. Writing emails or text messages is easy when we’re done with a friend. The target audience in business is corporate stakeholders, so it’s always best to be formal. Even a minor error in your written communication could negatively affect your credibility. It can result in loss of reputation and business as well. Here are the basics to follow when writing a business proposal, email, or other business letters:

• Always treat emails as real mail, not just digital letters. When composing an email, use powerful words, develop a natural voice, work toward your goal, and present a clear deadline.
• Prepare the email carefully. Go back, check and edit for clarity. Polish each and every sentence to keep communication direct, positive, and effective.
• Do not put incorrect or unclear information. Verify your data before sending the email. Any incorrect information makes you look like you haven’t done your homework.
• Do not use smileys, colloquialisms or slang, it may result in a loss of translation and the person reading your email may not understand what you are talking about. Keep it simple and to the point.
• Choose the best subject line for your message. The subject line is the first introduction to the content of the message for the recipients. Plus, it helps keep your message out of the spam box.
• And the most important thing is to archive all the communication of your company. Create folders to save all old emails. It will help you find any communication easily in the future.

Interpersonal communication: It is face-to-face communication and involves the exchange of information and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages. Sometimes an email or text isn’t enough. Digital communication does not imply any direct communication. No one sees how you write, but when you meet someone face-to-face, many things matter, including tone, body language, and eye contact. Your message should be clear, concise, and to the point. Add the tips mentioned below in your interpersonal communication to make it meaningful:

• Be confident when meeting with your clients or superiors and don’t be shy about one-on-one meetings. Maintain proper eye contact to make a good impression.
• Listen carefully and give your full attention to the conversation. Understand what the other person is saying and then give your own thoughts.
• Focus on your speech. Think before you speak and don’t be confused by your own words. Doing this will dilute the purpose of the face-to-face meeting.
• Keep communication professional and avoid making it too personal. It’s good to befriend the people you work with, but don’t make it too friendly.
• Never contradict your client’s opinion, even if you disagree. He can offend them. Listen carefully, then stand by your point and explain why he disagrees with them. But, be sure to keep your tone polite.
• Ask questions to clear all your doubts and concerns. It will also help keep the conversation going and generate new ideas that would be useful in business.

These were the few suggestions that you can implement in your communication strategy and make it effective. By following these, you will not only improve your business performance, but also the personal improvements you make in your own life. It will also help boost your self esteem and decision making and will also make you stand out from the crowd. Effective communication is always about understanding the other person, not imposing their opinions on others and winning an argument.