PRACTICES ARE IMPORTANT

text messages are opened, while only 25 per cent of email messages are opened. Moreover, co-workers will actually email one another rather than engaging in direct conversation when situated right next to or adjacent to one another. This causes a significant obstacle in workplace communication and using less of these mediums to communicate will foster more effective communication.

Putting things in writing is the only way to make sure that everyone understands an instruction properly without misconstruing things. This is especially true when you’re dealing with a large number of employees. Always live by the philosophy that if it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist.

The ability to communicate in a professional manner can take you a long way in your career and in your personal life. You may not even realise how much communication impacts your day-to-day life, but it does. That’s why it is so important that you learn to communicate at work.

Workplace communication is very important to companies because it allows companies to be productive and operate effectively. Employees can experience an increase in morale, productivity and commitment if they are able to communicate up and down the communication chain in an organization.

Not long ago, the ability to communicate well was viewed as a “soft” skill that was nice to have, but considered not really necessary. In today’s rapidly changing business climate, it’s a mandatory requirement for everyone, from top-level executives to the people on the shop floor. Organisations that fail to convey clear strategies and processes, and engage employees in shared goals are likely to lose to companies with more effective communication practices.

Many businesses take a top-down approach to communication, which has been a classic constant for decades. One-way communication may provide an element of control, but it’s not going to do you or your employees any favours whatsoever. Instead, allow for communication to be a two-way street, as you’ll see a number of benefits by taking this approach.

Employees feel empowered if they are able to have upward communication. This type of communication is when information flows upward in an organisation and usually consists of feedback. If bosses or managers are able to listen to employees and respond, this leads to an increase in employee job satisfaction.

In addition, employees are also happy if there is intense downward communication, which is information flowing down from superiors or managers to direct reports.

In many organisations, managers and employees work hand-in-hand with each other. This isn’t always the case, however, and it’s not uncommon for employees to simply report to managerial staff with status updates. By encouraging stronger, more collaborative relationships between employees and managers, you’ll be doing an important thing for improving internal communication in your organisation.

Companies with highly effective communication practices are more than three times as likely to employ managers skilled in change communications as less effective organisations.

Communicating effectively both internally and externally to the organisation and at all levels of management, without doubt, impacts cash flow and revenue. Communication practices also affect the balance sheet, with the top communicating companies experiencing some 30 per cent higher market valuation compared with their poorer communicating cousins.

How are your organisation’s communication practices? Are your managers and employees equipped with the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively? How are you measuring both the level and quality of communication in your organisation and the impacts of poor practices?

Improved business communication can come along with a number of benefits, and it’s important to take a moment to celebrate what you’ve achieved after you’ve put in the work. Always keep in mind that trying to improve workplace communication within your organisation is a time-consuming process.