Like in every relationship, communication is a vital part of business without which there would be confusion, ambiguity and discord. As a business owner ensuring that everyone in the organization is on the same page regarding key components such as business strategy, customer service, product and services etc. is crucial for survival. So whether you have a team of 2 or 20 people, it is important to set clear guidelines for communication.
To begin create and foster a culture of communication. Let everyone in the organization know why there is the need for communication. You should also decide what should be communicated; for example customer orders, customer complaints, broken equipment, inventory levels etc.
Who should be responsible for communication is also an important factor to consider.Very often things are left to slip by simply because no one in particular was assigned the task of collecting and disseminating that particular information. The timing (when) of the communication is also significant. If time is money like the popular saying goes then time wasted is money wasted. This means if critical information is delayed, it can affect your Company’s bottom-line.
The next factor is the mode of communication. Different managers have different preferences on how they want to receive information. Tell your team your preferences and if it varies for different levels of information, also let them know. With this comes the issue of feedback. So many lower employees complain of lack of response and feedback from senior management. Acknowledging correspondence not only shows your employees that you are listening; it also confirms that their efforts and input are valued.
A process of communication will portray the preferred hierarchical order and flow of information for the whole organization and should be reflected in the communications plan.
When we don’t communicate properly employees are confused and ignorant and act as they deem fit often to the detriment of the organization as a whole.
You have other tips? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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