Effective Communication

Commucation is a core part of business.  How canthat might arise and questions that might arise from
managers become more effective?the communication.
Communication is core to any business.  In an2.                  Clear Message
organisation you will have:Keeping it simple is often the best strategy.  I am
- CEO’s who need to communicate businesssure that we all have seen situations where someone
strategy, performance and change to name a few.has got lost in the detail or started to use a lot of
- Sales teams that need to communicate withjargon.  This is often a particular challenge for
existing and potential customers about products andtechnical professionals in areas like accounting or IT.
services, the benefits they deliver and the problems3.                  Research Audience
they solve.Before communicating anything, you need to consider
- Purchasing teams who need to communicate withwhat is going to be important for the receiver of the
suppliers on materials, services and equipmentcommunication.  In a sales situation the recipient is
required by the business.likely to what to know about the benefits.  If on the
- Accountants who need to communicate financialother hand it is about health and safety, the recipient
information to managers, the public, analysts andis likely to be about the risks and hazards and what
auditors.to do to minimise them.
- Risk managers who need to communicate on health4.                  Training
and safety issues.Many managers have had training in presentation
Given that communication is such an important partskills.  Today managers can find themselves having
of business, how can managers become moreto talk to the media on radio or TV.  It is likely that
effective in this area?fewer managers will have training in this area and this
1.                  Preparationmight be an area for your development plan.
Good preparation is key to effective5.                  Confidence
communication.  Any time you need to communicateWhen someone speaks with authority, chances are
prepare.  This is even more important when makingthat you will be much more receptive to receiving
significant announcements such as public companiestheir message and acting on it.  Nerves are natural
communicating financial results to analysts.  Inand if you can learn to control them your
preparing think about what you will communicate andcommunication effectiveness will greatly increase.
your desired outcome.  You also need to considerCommunication will continue to be a major challenge.
objections that might be raised, misunderstandings