7 Tips to Improve Your Business by Improving Your Communication
It might be said that communication is more of an art than a science. The easy part is simply exchanging information, speaking our thoughts to someone else. The art of communication, however, is knowing not only how to verbalize our ideas, but also how to listen, empathize, encourage, or influence. These actions are not automatic but take forethought and training to ensure messages are delivered to elicit a desired response.
These seven techniques to improve your communication and improve your business:
1. Be Positive
Communication can be positive or negative. This is through both verbal communication and body language. Listeners sense negative thoughts and feelings. Think before you speak. Be conscious of your obvious body language. Positive intentions can be turned into negative outcomes with such little effort.
2. Be Excited
Enthusiasm comes through when someone is really excited about what they are talking about. You cannot win over someone else to your thoughts and ideas when you are not even excited about the thoughts yourself. The bigger rewards go to those who are most excited about what they do.
3. Do Not Be Condescending
Do you like to be "talked down" to? Chances are that you probably don't; others don't either. No one wants to be around someone who is arrogant and feels or acts superior to others. When this happens in business, the other side simply goes away - employees, customers, associates.
4. Listen
You cannot communicate effectively if you do not listen to what the other person has to say. You might be right, the other person might be right, or you both might be wrong. If you are not listening to the other side, you'll never know who's right or wrong.
5. Be Open-Minded
Certainly, you will have your own opinion, but effective communication also allows others to be heard and considered. Maybe there is room for compromise or a better solution to a problem. Being open-minded does not mean that you lose; it simply means that you were looking for and considering the best option to whatever you are discussing.
6. Say the Magic Words
Even children are taught to be polite and say, "Please, thank you, and you're welcome." Somehow over the years adults forget that these same magic words apply in business. It takes such little time and effort to utter such words, but they can have such a profound effect.
7. Be Thoughtful
You probably like to be treated in a certain way. Employees and customers want the same thing. When there is a mad dash in business to get something accomplished, people often forget the feelings of others. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way in making great progress.
Effective communication can improve your business. Saying "it" the right way, a reply email, or a quick phone call can make all the difference sometimes. It does not always come easy, but the end result of improving your communication skills is well worth the effort. Be conscious of how you communicate and see the results.
