When it comes to companies and working with other people, it’s important to have a strong grasp of communication. This ensures that projects, clients, and proposals go off without a hitch. Sometimes, the correct communication may get lost in the fray of day to day deals. When this happens, it can cause some serious problems for a company and its employees.
When it comes to the business world, it is more than beneficial for employees at every level of the company to have adequate communication skills. If an accountant cannot communicate with a sales rep, that could not only result in the loss of a sale, but the client as well. It may be worthwhile sending all employees on corporate communication courses, but if you’re still unsure, here are a few ways communication is important in the workplace.
Builds productivity and benefits the company
One of the most beneficial factors in correct workplace communication is its impact on productivity and the streamlining of work. For example, if a task has been allocated to you without any information whatsoever, it is a waste of time to follow up with co-workers, client service, and in extreme cases, the client as well.
If the person allocating the task had given you all of the information upfront, it would then require far less, or even no effort to understand it. This loss in productivity can cost the company money as you’re all over the office instead of completing the task at hand. In this case, the person issuing the task needed to know what information to give and what the person doing it would need.
Clear communication also leads to a better and happier work environment. By allowing staff to get on with the tasks at hand, they aren’t bogged down with unnecessary busy work.
Passive aggressive
One of the largest faux pas in the business world, and, in fact, in every facet of life, is the usage of passive aggressive communication and behaviour. The work environment becomes hostile when an employee not only refuses to speak to the person they are having a problem with, but slams items on their desk. This causes tension within the workplace.
All employees must know that passive aggressive behaviour is not acceptable. It should be left at the door before staff enter the building and it can aggravate potentially volatile situations.
Another bad habit is keeping a grudge against co-workers. One of them may have spoken over you in a meeting or not agreed with your idea, but that is no reason to keep a long-lasting grudge.
Never tell, guess, or assume
While this is a term used by many organisations to teach best sales practices, it should also be part of all communication skills within a company. Essentially, it means that people need to ask questions and listen to any and all problems that arise – even from that annoying co-worker you never agree with. This creates an amicable working environment where no one asserts their dominance.
When it comes to projects and issuing orders, be sure that you are correct in your speech and clear on anything that needs to be done. If a specific task needs to be completed, lay out all of the instructions in a clear and easy to understand manner. Don’t use code or keywords when referring to projects or clients that aren’t officially designated with such words.
Emails and chat programs
Most companies now use chat programs for intercompany communications, such as Skype and Slack. While these are incredibly useful and cut down the amount of time used in going to and from another person’s desk, they’ve taken to adopting the incorrect use of language.
Even though these programs can archive chats for later reference, not everyone will remember what went on in previous communications. In using them, always be sure to communicate correctly and accurately and to not use the same language as you would when sending an SMS.
Regardless of which communication method you use, clear instructions are always important.
