NO NEED TO SHOUT
COMMUNICATING CLEARLY has never been of greater importance, if people are to be rescued from the digital age’s ocean of words and helped to dry out with relevant data. Information, though, only has value when it can be absorbed into the knowledge stream. To take effect, it has to be delivered consistently, in a readily identifiable manner and using a tone that’s easily understood: slowly but surely. Gabbling shouters rarely make the most telling contributions.
Having a voice and being listened to are very different, however. To be heard, statements about complex issues must be delivered in simple, clear language. Linguistic style is fundamental to whether or not people take notice and assimilate the messages.
The requisite proficiency does not always come naturally, but when executed well it will be a key factor in corporate success. Skilled relations with your publics have a pivotal part to play in realising positive results.
Business managers are charged with taking on wide-ranging responsibilities for communications, starting with internal requirements. Crucially, their actions are scrutinised by people outside the organisation – by customers, suppliers, investors, regulators, competitors, commentators and others.
Tasks centre around improving awareness, widening acceptance and enhancing reputations. By speaking clearly and consistently, from a uniform and unified base, aims and objectives can be so much easier to achieve.
CORPORATE MESSAGES
Notwithstanding that different groups and individuals will need differing styles of presentation and degrees of selectivity in content, corporate messages must never be fragmented nor massaged for the sake of effect. Say it as it is and the identity will register positively and constructively.
At the heart of all this is the quality of the public relations effort, keeping the cogs of business lubricated. Primary purposes of professionally-led PR messages are to drive behaviour, add value and strengthen outcomes.
Clarity is at the heart of the messaging. People should not have to read between the lines and make their own assumptions about what you are trying to convey.
A fundamental challenge is to be concise. Stick to the point and keep it brief. Be as accurate and logical as possible, making sure that any technical points fit your audience’s level of comprehension. In a complete message, the listener or reader will have everything needed to be properly informed and know what to do next.
Conversely, poor communicating on your part could lead people to do something other than what you had intended, or nothing at all. Even then, it would pay to remain purposeful.
GOOD RELATIONS
Using a good relations approach, you will find that each situation requires a different form of address.
Within the workplace, people expect a relatively professional level of discussion. Fall short and you could weaken the dynamic within the team, or be viewed as unprofessional, possibly uncaring. Maintain your ability to be personable and speak at all levels, while also understanding when it's time to sharpen up.Confidence, through knowing your subject, is often the key to successful discourse. Such assuredness is transmitted to others, helping to create lasting relationships.
Effective communicators are like chameleons, able to move seamlessly from one situation to another without breaking stride. Most great leaders are also fantastic communicators.
Choose the moment. There is a time and place for everything. Picking the right place provides the freedom for the connection to open, flourish and reach maturity.
Wherever and whatever, a
s never before, communication has become a two-way artery, requiring you to gauge how much of your message is hitting home and to invite inclusion. Listening is learning. Listen actively. It is a fundamental inter-relations skill.George Bernard Shaw said: “The biggest single problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Are you certain that you made everything clear?
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