Business communication is what companies use to communicate with their employees, executives, as well as their consumers or the general public. For small startup businesses, this method is crucial as they have to relay to their customers some very specific messages in relation to the services and goods they are offering. It is, therefore, very important also for business owners to meticulously review and create messages targeted to a specific audience, be it for their consumers or their own workforce. To make sure you are implementing the right business communication, there are elements that need to be taken into consideration.
- There are some basic steps business owners should follow when formulating communication messages, such as the kind of message, the medium of communication, and how the message is to be sent. It is also vital that the individuals to receive and interpret the message be considered. Keep in mind that the recipients of the message are likely to differ in terms of their experience and educational background, which can have a direct impact on how they will interpret the message and what action they will take in response to it.
- As a business owner, it is your responsibility to make your business communication appropriate to your receiving audience. How a message is received and interpreted greatly varies according to the cultural diversity and location of the audience. For your business communication to be effective, it should contain technical information, terminology and even instruction that can easily be understood by its readers. It isn’t a good idea to send a uniform message to all your employees in different regions or departments as this could lead to confusion.
- There is a particular pattern that should be followed by an effective business communication. In general, it should start by giving compliments to the employees for their significant contributions to the company. This can be followed by some comments, remarks, or instructions that employees should adhere to. It is recommended also that employees be asked for feedback, which can later on be used as reference for future use.
- The importance of asking for feedback cannot be undermined. Business communication should promote openness in the organization. That’s why employees must be encouraged to express their thoughts and opinions on the matter so that they could feel valued by the company. This is also a good method company owners use to gather ideas, which could help them formulate better policies or methods in the future.
There is no one particular process that business communication should follow. Businesses may determine which communication methods must be used according to their audience, communication channels, and even communication filters. At the end of the day, it is the company owner who should decide what communication style should be implemented. Effective business communication can benefit companies in many ways, and can even help employees in their career management.
Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Centre, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.