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Internal Communications (part 1)
How much money is lost in your company because of internal communication breakdowns? This may be an instruction which was misinterpreted; a customer’s requirement that seems to have changed because a member of staff was not listening; or a member of the team feeling unmotivated because of a sarcastically raised eyebrow when they offered an idea. However problems with communication manifest themselves they will have a negative effect on the business.
We know that communication is important – think of all the money spent on website, advertising, branding, brochures and exhibitions. However, the majority of companies may over-emphasise the firms’ communications with the outside world. When it comes to internal communications our best effort may just be to fire off an email or turn up to a meeting.
We have to accept that we are responsible for our own communications. When people are asked if they are a good communicator, the answer is often - “I think so”. One of the first steps in improving communication is to identify areas of strength and weakness.
Challenge yourself! Be brave and hold a personal communications audit on yourself. Download the Personal Communication Audit form , then think carefully about who would be best placed to provide feedback, ask them for their honesty, evaluate the results and then act accordingly.
Remember: Professional communicators are always looking to improve.
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