As nations went into lockdown, several corporations authorized extensive working from home for the first time. This entailed fundamental changes in how people communicated, worked and interacted with one another.
Organizations must now deal with a mix of flexible working arrangements, business communication, and mixtures of digital and face-to-face contacts as some employees slowly return to work. We will help you build a good business communication strategy to keep your company going well.
What is a Business Communication Strategy?
If you want a productive company that accomplishes its goals and offers a pleasant Employee Experience, in other terms, a successful business, then seamless communication is crucial.
There are many different types of business communication. Internal corporate communication refers to the movement of information, news, and discourse between different departments of a company, as well as up and down hierarchies. Then there’s external communication, which includes interactions with consumers, partners, and clients.
A company communication plan considers all of these options and provides a unified perspective of what, how, when, and why individuals should communicate.
Top Tips to Improve Business Communication
Follow these tips to create a good business strategy:
#1. Learn the Basics of Nonverbal Communication
According to one research, nonverbal communication contributed to 55% of how an audience viewed a presentation. That is, the bulk of what you say is delivered by bodily cues rather than words.
Adopt a good posture to speak effectively and confidently. Avoid slouching, crossing your arms, or appearing smaller than you are. However, fill up the area you’ve been given, keep eye contact, and (if necessary) move about.
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#2. Over-communicate Just to Communicate
A grad student at Stanford University demonstrated in 1990 that speakers overestimate how much listeners grasp. In research dubbed “the tappers and the listeners,” one group of volunteers was instructed to tap the melody of 120 popular songs. The other participants were instructed to guess which music was being played.
Tappers predicted that half of the songs they tapped would be accurately recognised. Only 2.5 percent of the tracks were properly identified. This research demonstrates the importance of communicating effectively and over-communicating while discussing fresh ideas. According to this study, the audience is unlikely to absorb as much as you think.
#3. Avoid Relying on Visual Aids
Steve Jobs implemented a policy at Apple that prohibited the use of PowerPoint presentations. Meanwhile, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg implemented a PowerPoint ban. Both leaders recognised that Powerpoint slides sometimes obstruct rather than aid communication.
Prepare to express your argument to the audience with words, great narrative, and nonverbal clues. Unless absolutely required, avoid utilising visual aids.
#4. Ask for Honest Feedback
Receiving honest criticism from peers, bosses, and team members is crucial to become a stronger communicator, as it is with most leadership abilities. If you routinely ask for input, people will assist you in identifying areas for development that you would have missed otherwise.
#5. Initiate a Debate with the Audience
Irrespective of how captivating the speaker is, all audiences have short attention spans. Make lectures and discussions dynamic to become a more successful communicator.
In order to stimulate the crowd, ask a question, encourage individuals to yell out their ideas during a brainstorming process, or at the absolute least, ask hypothetical questions.
#6. Start and End with Key Points
Consider the earlier-mentioned “tappers and listeners” research. Reiterate essential points at the beginning and end of a presentation to guarantee that the audience gets the main takeaways. This can also be performed by distributing a one-pager containing crucial ideas for the audience to contemplate throughout the presentation.
#7. Use the PIP Approach
The purpose, importance, preview (PIP) method to presentation intro is a typical concept employed by business professionals such as those at McKinsey. Following this technique, the speaker first defines the aim of the presentation and then discusses why it is essential by evaluating ramifications and potential consequences.
Finally, the presenter provides an overview of the subjects that will be covered. This structure is an effective technique to pique the interest of your audience and help them concentrate on your content and key points.
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#8. Record Important Presentations for Posterity
Effective communication might require a lot of time and effort. If you need to give the same presentation more than once, try recording it and sharing it afterwards.
Speakers can videotape themselves presenting a presentation using platforms such as Wistia and Zoom. Presenters can modify the video on these video-recording systems to make it more interesting and useful. They also give admins viewer engagement analytics.
Filmed presentations can be very useful for speakers who need to conduct training on a regular basis in a firm that is rapidly employing staff.
#9. Master the Art of Timing
Although some of their jokes may be inappropriate for the office, stand-up comedians are unquestionably brilliant communicators. Comedians such as Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle are able to conduct riveting 90-minute comedy acts in part because to their mastery of the art of timing.
Great comedians, like all good communicators, can read their audience to know when to go on to a new subject or when to restate a point.
#10. Get Comfortable Speaking Extemporaneously
Lawyers usually talk extemporaneously while presenting a case before the United States Supreme Court. That is, the attorneys jot down a list of subjects they want to cover, but they do not remember what they will say word for word.
This technique of communication lets lawyers present a case to address all of the relevant elements while being flexible in how they communicate dependent on audience reaction or queries.
#11. Get to Know Your Audience
To communicate successfully, you must first get to know your target audience. Each audience is unique, with unique interests and cultural standards that must be respected while communicating. Asking audience members for examples of outstanding communicators inside the organisation is a wonderful method to learn expectations.
#12. Use Originality to Keep Your Audience’s Attention
A recent study found that when people are exposed to unexpected settings as opposed to conventional ones, they remember more information. Consider incorporating a fresh incident into a presentation to assist audience members recall knowledge. This might be something amusing or something that takes folks by surprise.
#13. Focus on Earning Respect
It might be tempting to connect with others in a lighter manner; after all, making friends in a working situation can be beneficial. However, keep in mind that the most effective communicators are those who have received praise rather than laughter. While cracking a few jokes to warm up an audience might be useful, avoid closing a presentation with a chuckle.
#14. Be a Listener
You should listen more than you speak. This is what Richard Branson advises businesspeople looking to connect with others. To communicate effectively, you must first listen to what everyone else has to say. Then you may respond thoughtfully, demonstrating that you have considered their thoughts.
Conclusion
One of the most important abilities you can develop as a company leader is the ability to communicate properly. Remember to use both nonverbal and vocal clues while communicating. Listen intently to what others have to say, and overcommunicate in unique ways to guarantee the conversation’s content is remembered by the audience.
To learn more about business communication skills, visit The Fluent Life.
You also have the choice to download the Fluent Life app on your mobile phone for customized personal lectures where you get instant feedback on your performance and can resolve all your queries.
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