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Business people without exception can cite instances where a project deadline was not met,
a customer complaint was not handled well or stockholders were not well informed about
the status of the business. While there are usually extenuating circumstances that caused
the glitch, almost always poor or inadequate communication was part of the problem. Good
business communication could have helped alleviate the situation.
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Cross-Cultural Communication
In today's global economy, businesses cannot ignore the importance of cross-cultural
communication. Businesses are finding that it is in their best interest to learn about national,
cultural and ethnic groups they need to communicate with to grow their businesses.
Knowledge of language nuances and local customs are important to that growth as a
misstep can cause a lost sale or a delayed project.
Keep It Simple
Good business communication is simple and easily understood, a rule often overlooked by
managers and team members. This is especially important when preparing a document,
speech or presentation that is a game-changer for the company. Simple and concise
language wins over language that is obtuse and hard to understand.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-businesscommunication-organization-2876.html
The Importance of Business Communication in an Organization
by Joe Taylor Jr., Demand Media
Business communication defines most organizations, resulting in effective marketing
campaigns, productive interpersonal relationships among co-workers and successful
customer service resolutions. Because audiences demand different kinds of communications
in different situations and settings, effective business communication professionals
understand how to tailor messages for maximum results.
Function
Though most casual observers of corporate behavior focus on a companys external
marketing, business communication happens throughout every organization, using multiple
channels for many kinds of desired results. Asha Kaul of the Management Development
Institute in India writes that effective business communication includes a two-way cycle of
messaging and feedback designed to achieve a specific reaction. Efficient, appropriate,
Features
The feedback cycles required for effective business communication can take different forms,
especially when aided by modern technology. In addition to speech and written text,
business professionals must understand how to communicate effectively via e-mail, text
message and even social media status update. New tools allow business professionals to
combine personal messages with automated responses, such as vacation auto-responder
messages, to help process large amounts of information. Many effective communicators find
ways to cut through the clutter of overflowing inboxes with handwritten notes or direct
phone calls.
Related Reading: Importance of Cross-Cultural Communication When Initiating New
Business Relationships
Considerations
Messages must take on the characteristics of the medium chosen for communication,
making it more challenging when team members speak, read and learn differently from each
other. For instance, a manager with a highly visual learning style may not respond as
intended to a dense report from an employee with strong writing skills. Likewise, a company
director accustomed to highly analytical spreadsheets may not appreciate the lack of
density inherent in a text message.
Misconceptions
Despite a cultural trend toward casual communication, studies indicate that spelling and
grammar still play major roles in how audiences evaluate business professionals. Critics of
millennials, workers born between 1977 and 1998, often advise younger professionals to
double-check their communication for tone, relevance and especially presentation. Older
decision-makers may refuse to conduct business with young representatives using
unprofessional communication.
Effects
In most organizations, effective communication offers the best opportunity to make an
outstanding first impression. Using powerful words, images and messages, business
professionals can craft strong internal partnerships while developing the foundation of a
solid client base. However, the second half of the feedback cycle can really cement
interpersonal relationships. By building a reputation as an engaged listener, a professional
can set up next actions that solidify her commitment to acting on requests or adjusting after
responses.
References (3)
About the Author
Joe Taylor Jr. manages sales for a Fortune 500 company and writes about finance, culture,
and design. He has worked as a journalist and producer since 1989. His work has appeared
on CNBC, CNN, and NPR, where Elvis Costello once taught him how to brew perfect tea. He
holds a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College.
Photo Credits
Email LCD display image by Alex Yeung from Fotolia.com
https://blog.udemy.com/importance-of-communication-in-business/
company even if you did everything you could, but as long as you are able to
communicate your concern for their satisfaction, you can turn any situation
into a positive experience. Customers that are displeased with a company do
not hesitate to share their bad experience with others. By communicating
clearly with them, you and ensuring your business always delivers the finest
customer service possible, and thats another critical component of building
customer relationships.
Improves Employee Relationships
Every business must have a code of policies and procedures that must be
followed in order for everyone to succeed. Maybe there is a specific process for
a task, for example, or maybe there are certain consequences for
underperforming. Either way, you want to make all this very clear to your
employees, and it isnt possible to do this without strong communication
skills.
This kind of communication requires more than simply writing out a company
manual and issuing it to each of the new hires on their first day. Any company
knows that rules are always needing to be altered as things change and evolve
over time, and its important to revisit how all of these changes affect your
employees regularly. Even if the general company guidelines never shift,
No matter how skilled and talented the people at the top of your company are,
you can never have too many ideas. By encouraging everyone at your business,
whether big or small, to openly share their thoughts without fear of being shut
down, you will quickly notice the employees that have the most to add. Your
best employees have ideas on how you can make your business run even
better, and its wise to give them a chance to speak. A business can become
more innovative overnight just by working together to be good
communicators, and thats bad news for your competition and good news for
your revenue.
Clearly, the benefits of communication in a business are plentiful, and in fact
its hard to imagine any kind of success at all without it. No matter what kind
of business you have, and whether its big or small, one of the single most
important determinants of success is communication. If you feel your business
does not have the quality of communication it should, dont wait another day
to address that issue. There is no need for your company to suffer from
something that can be so easily fixed with a little effort. Take this Udemy
course onimproving communication abilities, or one of the many other
communication courses at Udemy, and watch as the benefits roll in.
http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/bookhub/reader/15?e=mclean-ch01_s01
v. 1.0
by Scott McLean
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
Explain how communication skills help you solve problems, learn new things, and
build your career.
Communication is key to your successin relationships, in the workplace, as a citizen of your country,
and across your lifetime. Your ability to communicate comes from experience, and experience can be an
effective teacher, but this text and the related business communication course will offer you a wealth of
experiences gathered from professional speakers across their lifetimes. You can learn from the lessons
theyve learned and be a more effective communicator right out of the gate.
Business communication can be thought of as a problem solving activity in which individuals may address
the following questions:
In this book, we will examine this problem solving process and help you learn to apply it in the kinds of
situations you are likely to encounter over the course of your career.
[1]
You share meaning in what you say and how you say it, both in
oral and written forms. If you could not communicate, what would life be like? A series of never-ending
frustrations? Not being able to ask for what you need or even to understand the needs of others?
Being unable to communicate might even mean losing a part of yourself, for you communicate your selfconceptyour sense of self and awareness of who you arein many ways. Do you like to write? Do you
find it easy to make a phone call to a stranger or to speak to a room full of people? Perhaps someone told
you that you dont speak clearly or your grammar needs improvement. Does that make you more or less
likely to want to communicate? For some, it may be a positive challenge, while for others it may be
discouraging. But in all cases, your ability to communicate is central to your self-concept.
Take a look at your clothes. What are the brands you are wearing? What do you think they say about you?
Do you feel that certain styles of shoes, jewelry, tattoos, music, or even automobiles express who you are?
Part of your self-concept may be that you express yourself through texting, or through writing longer
documents like essays and research papers, or through the way you speak.
On the other side of the coin, your communications skills help you to understand othersnot just their
words, but also their tone of voice, their nonverbal gestures, or the format of their written documents
provide you with clues about who they are and what their values and priorities may be. Active listening
and reading are also part of being a successful communicator.
As you study business communication, you may receive suggestions for improvement and clarification
from speakers and writers more experienced than yourself. Take their suggestions as challenges to
improve; dont give up when your first speech or first draft does not communicate the message you
intend. Stick with it until you get it right. Your success in communicating is a skill that applies to almost
every field of work, and it makes a difference in your relationships with others.
Remember, luck is simply a combination of preparation and timing. You want to be prepared to
communicate well when given the opportunity. Each time you do a good job, your success will bring more
success.
[2]
the following are the top five personal qualities or skills potential employers seek:
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4.
Initiative
5.
Analytical skills
Knowing this, you can see that one way for you to be successful and increase your promotion potential is
to increase your abilities to speak and write effectively.
Figure 1.1
Effective communication skills are assets that will get you there.
In September 2004, the National Commission on Writing for Americas Families, Schools, and Colleges
published a study on 120 human resource directors titled Writing: A Ticket to WorkOr a Ticket
Out, A Survey of Business Leaders.
[3]
high-wage, professional work and a gatekeeper with clear equity implications, said Bob Kerrey,
president of New School University in New York and chair of the commission. People unable to express
themselves clearly in writing limit their opportunities for professional, salaried employment.
[4]
On the other end of the spectrum, it is estimated that over forty million Americans are illiterate, or unable
to functionally read or write. If you are reading this book, you may not be part of an at-risk group in need
of basic skill development, but you still may need additional training and practice as you raise your skill
level.
An individual with excellent communication skills is an asset to every organization. No matter what career
you plan to pursue, learning to express yourself professionally in speech and in writing will help you get
there.
K E Y TA K E AWAY
Communication forms a part of your self-concept, and it helps you understand yourself and others,
solve problems and learn new things, and build your career.
E X E RC I S E S
1.
Imagine that you have been hired to make cold calls to ask people whether
they are familiar with a new restaurant that has just opened in your neighborhood.
Write a script for the phone call. Ask a classmate to copresent as you deliver the
script orally in class, as if you were making a phone call to the classmate. Discuss
your experience with the rest of the class.
2.
Imagine you have been assigned the task of creating a job description. Identify a
job, locate at least two sample job descriptions, and create one. Please present the
job description to the class and note to what degree communication skills play a role
in the tasks or duties you have included.
PreviousNext
[1] Pearson, J., & Nelson, P. (2000). An introduction to human communication: understanding
and sharing (p. 6). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
[2] National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2009). Frequently asked questions.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.naceweb.org/Press/Frequently_Asked_Questions.aspx?referal=
[3] National Commission on Writing for Americas Families, Schools, and Colleges. (2004,
September). Writing: A Ticket to WorkOr a Ticket Out, A Survey of Business Leaders.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.writingcommission.org/pr/writing_for_employ.html
[4] The College Board. (2004, September). Writing skills necessary for employment, says big
business: Writing can be a ticket to professional jobs, says blue-ribbon group. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.writingcommission.org/pr/writing_for_employ.html
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importancecommunication-business-management-20923.html
A skilled business manager must be able to manage she must also be able to delegate,
spearhead new ideas and assess business successes and failures. However, to be able to do
any of this successfully, a business manager must be able to communicate. According to the
Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program, "Communication plays a key role in the success
of any workplace program or policy." Business managers who know how to communicate
successfully may improve the chance of success of the program/area that they're managing.
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Types of Communication
According to the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program, two types of communication
are important for managers: top-down communication and bottom-up communication. In
other words, managers should be able to communicate policies, procedures and instructions
clearly to their employees; however, they should also be able to listen to communication
from employees and make changes based on issues that the employees face. Business
managers also need to be able to communicate in a number of different ways, including in
large groups, face to face, online and in writing.
Frequency of Communication
Managers not only need to be good communicators, they also need to communicate with
their employees frequently to stay abreast of changes and assess new programs and
policies. Business managers need to set up regular opportunities for communication through
online forum discussions, comment boxes, individual meetings with employees or group
discussions with specific committees. Further, the Management Skills Advisor website
suggests that managers have an "open door policy" by which they encourage employees
who need to communicate with them to do so often.
Related Reading: The Importance of Telephone Communication in Business
Communication Traits
Communication traits of successful business managers include being able to listen to others'
ideas well and respond to them appropriately and clearly. Business managers should be able
to give concise directions and clearly articulate policies, consequences and expectations.
Managers need to understand both verbal and nonverbal communication and about the
messages that both send. Finally, business managers should be able to communicate well
during emergencies or in less-than-ideal situations; they must also know how to
communicate bad news, such as a firing, with tact
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/managing-businessrelationships/communicating-effectively-for-business
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Verbal communication
Asking questions
Listening effectively
Non-verbal communication
Meeting new people and introducing yourself
Written communication for business
Understanding communication
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active listening
assertiveness
self-confidence
It also helps to consider the circumstances surrounding your communications, such as the
situational and cultural context.
Verbal communication
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You are more likely to achieve positive outcomes when you use positive, rather than negative,
language.
Positive language is helpful and encouraging; it suggests alternatives and offers solutions to
problems. It is language that stresses positive actions and consequences.
For example, if you are negotiating with a supplier who is not willing to budge on price, your
language should convey the desire for a 'win-win' scenario (i.e. a situation that both parties can
be happy with). This is likely to make your supplier more willing to negotiate (perhaps on issues
other than price, such as delivery costs or payment terms), than if you also refuse to budge and
accuse them of being inflexible.
Speaking style
Speaking style means the tone, pitch, accent, volume and pace of your voice.
The same sentence can be conveyed, and understood, in entirely different ways based on the
way in which it is said. People you speak to can be motivated by a positive speaking style, just
as they can be put off by a negative style.
You should always try to speak with a positive voice - avoid monotone responses, or talking too
quickly or slowly. Be as clear as possible, and try to engage the listener, as this is far more likely
to promote the response you are after than if they leave the conversation deflated.
Asking questions
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The more you can find out about a person's needs, wants, interests and situation, the easier it is
to reach win-win outcomes. You learn more about people by asking them the right questions
and by taking the time to listen to their answers.
People also tend to respond well when they feel their opinion is being sought genuinely by
another person, particularly in a business situation where conversations can have important
consequences for both parties.
Types of questions
You can use the following types of questions in any business situation:
understood you? You said that you want a computer system that will allow you and your staff
to complete their tasks in half the time, and training for all your staff on using this new
system?'
Asking these kinds of question does nothing for your credibility or your ability to negotiate
efficiently and effectively.
Listening effectively
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It's one thing to ask good questions - it's another to really take on board the answers. You can
often be distracted by your own thoughts, feelings and opinions and so tend to hear what you
want to hear or, more usually, what you expect to hear.
You're often thinking about your next move or what you should say next, or you're trying to
second guess where the other party might be leading you. To listen effectively you need to
suspend these internal thoughts and give your full attention to the speaker. Only then can you
really hear what they're saying.
Active listening
Active listening means paying attention to the speaker both to verbal and non-verbal cues. For
example, if you see them look down or appear uncomfortable in some way while saying 'That's
all I can tell you at the moment' you might deduce that they are withholding information.
This type of active listening alerts you to the opportunity for a well constructed open or probing
question, to gather the missing information. If you're not listening actively, it can be easy to miss
signs like these.
Paying attention
It is vital to make sure you don't let your attention wander. Important pieces of information can
be missed if you are not alert and engaged. This can lead to misunderstandings later on, or
possibly embarrassing situations where you appear to have forgotten something you have been
told.
One way to help you concentrate during a business conversation is to ask the speaker
questions. Not only will this help you to guide the conversation where you want it to go and at
the pace you want, it can also ensure your mind is focused on the subject at hand.
It's usually a good idea to check your understanding regularly during a conversation. You can
paraphrase or summarise:
Clarification is also a useful tool when the other party seems to be asking for a lot of information.
If their questions are poorly structured, too broad or ambiguous, you might give away too much
information by answering them straight away. It's often a good idea to clarify a question before
you answer it.
Non-verbal communication
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A huge part of the way we communicate occurs through non-verbal cues in conversations. This
includes your body language, the way you look at others during conversations and the facial
expressions you use.
Body language
Body language can back up the words you use and how you say those words, but can also
betray your true feelings if you are uncomfortable in a conversation.
There are 2 main aspects of body language to consider:
posture - how you sit or stand during a conversation is important. Your posture should
be open, with your body turned to face the other person whenever possible. Leaning forward
slightly can convey apparent interest in what they are saying, and that you are actively
listening to them
gestures - simple gestures such as nodding your head and opening your palms can
have a positive effect on a conversation. You can move your hands during conversation to
convey a sense of animation about a subject, though be careful not to overdo it. Maintaining
eye contact is very important.
Negative body language creates a negative impression and tends to impede progress.
Someone glancing at their watch, playing with their pen and doodling during negotiations will
come across as disinterested or uncooperative. This non-verbal communication creates the
impression of disinterest and may lead the negotiation to falter or break down.
Other negative body language you should avoid includes:
clenched fists
folded arms
rolling eyes
finger pointing.
You can learn positive body language easily, by watching how other people conduct themselves
during conversations. Anything that seems positive is worth copying, while anything that repels
you in a conversation should be avoided.
Eye contact
Looking people in the eye when talking to them is a good way to let them know you are listening
to them and interested in what they have to say. Eye contact can also convey sincerity and
confidence, which is often important in business situations.
Not looking the other party in the eye can sometimes make you appear disinterested, nervous,
or even shifty. If someone begins to have negative views such as these in a business situation it
can sometimes be difficult to reverse them, so you should try to maintain eye contact and focus
on whoever you are talking with, whether they are a customer, client or employee.
Of course, it is important not to stare them out, accidentally or otherwise.
Facial expressions
Our faces are extremely expressive, and often give our emotions away before we have a
chance to say what we feel. It is important to try to keep your facial expressions positive during
a business conversation.
Smiling is very important - a simple, natural smile is known to help the other party relax during a
conversation. As explained above, keeping eye contact is also a key to success.
Avoid negative facial expressions, such as:
frowning or scowling
glaring
blankness
sneering
pouting.
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introducing yourself
Handshaking in Australia
You are more likely to be remembered by a person whose hand youve shaken. In traditional
Australian culture there are 4 main opportunities for handshaking:
when you run into someone you haven't seen in a long time
stand
smile
Introducing yourself
Your introduction should tell people who you are and it should encourage people to be
interested in speaking to you. You need to sell yourself and feel confident while doing so
because this will put others at ease.
When introducing yourself, apart from your name you should consider including:
a 'memory hook' (quick, ear-catching phrase that people are likely to remember)
The length of your introduction will depend on the circumstances of the introduction. It shouldn't
need to be long, and it's possible to combine certain elements, such as your business and your
benefit statement.
Always remember to speak clearly and smile, making eye contact with the person you're
speaking to. Using a bit of humour can put people at ease, but remember that certain types of
humour offend.
Cultural differences
If an introduction doesn't go according to plan, one reason may be cultural differences. Every
culture has its own way of meeting people in business situations for the first time.
Here are 3 examples of how the common business practices of other cultures contrast with
those used in Australia:
In Russia, meetings are often very formal, structured and serious. Many Russian
negotiators believe that a formal meeting is a serious affair and should be treated
accordingly. Humour is rarely used in such serious situations.
In China, formal exchanges of business cards are performed at the beginning of a first
meeting. The respect you show the card equates with the respect you show the person.
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asking or saying to another party, particularly if your written communication requires follow-up
actions.
Informal writing can include more colloquialism and slang, such as 'loads of' in place of
'many'.
Formal writing is less likely to use abbreviations, preferring 'television' to 'TV' for
example.
Informal writing is more likely to use short, simple sentences, while more formal
communication prefers longer sentences and complex expressions.
It is safe to apply the rules of conversation to writing. Generally, you should probably be more
formal in written communication than you would be in a conversation.
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asking or saying to another party, particularly if your written communication requires follow-up
actions.
Informal writing can include more colloquialism and slang, such as 'loads of' in place of
'many'.
Formal writing is less likely to use abbreviations, preferring 'television' to 'TV' for
example.
Informal writing is more likely to use short, simple sentences, while more formal
communication prefers longer sentences and complex expressions.
It is safe to apply the rules of conversation to writing. Generally, you should probably be more
formal in written communication than you would be in a conversation.