3 WAYS TO IMPROVE WORK COMMUNICATION

People are constantly communicating, both verbally and nonverbally. If executed poorly communication can be time-consuming, confusing and detrimental to your customers, employees and ultimately your business. However, if done well it can increase work productivity and streamline your success.

To improve your communications do these three things:

1. MAKE IT PURPOSEFUL AND CLEAR

Before sending an email, setting a meeting or touching base with a colleague make your goals for your message. Ask yourself: Why are you reaching out? What questions could your audience have? What needs to be accomplished? What are the next steps? And, what are the key messages you want your audience to remember?
Then structure and execute your message accordingly by using clear and concise wording and utilizing bullet points and font formatting to your advantage.

2. PICK THE RIGHT COMMUNICATION METHOD

To streamline your communication, determine what the fastest channel to communicate your message would be. A simple phone call is often easier and more efficient than a back-and-forth email chain. In addition, I’m sure we’ve all been in a meeting that could have been addressed in an email. Think of your audience and be respectful of their time.

3. RESPECTFULLY FOLLOW-UP

Be upfront with all call to actions and provide helpful follow-up’s. Everyone has a number of things on their plate and it’s easy to forget, so ensure you plan a timeline for other’s involvement, send out meeting minutes or conversation recaps and keep everyone up-to-date.

Effective communication is a useful way to improve yourself personally and professionally! What tips do you have for purposeful communication? Comment on our post to share!

All the Best,
Jeff Beckham

For more helpful tips read our blog on using Failure as Fuel for Success.