Communication Strategies: 3 Steps to Take to Have Your Message Heard
In the corporate world communication can act as
a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is paramount
to ensuring the presence of a business in the first
place. That is, without it, members of the organization
would be unsure of what they were responsible for
doing. Yet, often times companies find themselves
frustrated with the way in which employees interpret
the messages they communicate.
More specifically, communication, especially within
the corporate realm, finds a myriad of mediums in
which messages are communicated to others. E-mail,
telephones, memo's, announcements, face to face meetings,
etc. are all but a few of the techniques in which
companies choose to deliver a message.
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However, as most companies have experienced, he way
in which a message is received, especially something
of critical importance, heavily depends upon the manner
in which it is revealed. For instance, companies are
responsible for communicating at various levels within
an organization. From the board of directors, management,
to the janitor, different messages must be communicated
to different people in different positions.
On the other hand, companies too are faced with communicating
group-specific messages to certain members of the organization.
That is, for example, when a newly appointed C.E.O.
for instance wants to share his vision for the company
over the next five years with every member of the organization.
How does an individual go about doing this? When companies
are looking to communicate with the members of the
organization it is important that they keep in mind
three things:
1. What's the objective? It's important to have an
identified purpose to avoid including unnecessary material
that will take attention off of your point.
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2. What communication format do you use? Determine
the circumstances of communicating your message. Do
you use a "tell" style where you inform your
members or do you use more of a "consult" style
where participation is encouraged?
3. Consider your audience. This is perhaps one of the
more important aspects of communication strategy because
unless you know your audience, you won't know how to
communicate with them. Some additional things to consider
when developing your strategy is: What do they know?
How much information do they need? What are their biases?
Although these strategies will not devoid companies
of communication issues, they can act as valuable resources
for companies to consider when they are looking to
present the simple to complex messages to members of
their company. Further, when the time is taken to develop
and formulate a communication strategy it allows the
communicator to clearly define the message and for
the audience to truly hear it. |
