Starting your own business is easier than maintaining it. Communication is important in business because it can help you reach your goal. It is also more crucial when you have team to lead when running your own business. You need to make sure that everyone is on the same page or else conflict will be inevitable. Communication is also important to be maintained between you and customers, as well as business partner. Effective communication give more chances for positive results. Building effective communication cannot be done overnight. It needs to be nurtured gradually but surely.
Maintaining effective communication in business
The challenges of maintaining effective communication in business are many. The most obvious factor is that individual’s differences. Every individual has different perspective, method, and response which results in different problem-solving skills. In addition, communication between you and customers can also happen effectively if give mutual respect and understanding without belittling each other’s needs or opinion. As for communication with business partner, the challenge is to make win-win solution.
Open Minded
To maintain effective communication in business, it is important to be open-minded as well as mindful. Differences are inevitable but it doesn’t mean you cannot reach agreement. If differences arise within your team, you need to mediate objectively and use your assertiveness to solve it. if everyone understand that they are on the same page, it is easier to solve the problems without causing any conflict.
Receptive Atmosphere
Try to create receptive atmosphere when communicating with your teammates, partners, or customers. It may sounds simple but it requires a lot of self-restraint because every individual has their own ego. If the conversation is started with tense atmosphere, the communication won’t work effectively. You need to find a way to lessen the tension.
Power of Positive Words
Use the positive, simple words to deliver your message to others. Business tends to have formal atmosphere but it doesn’t mean you have to use difficult terms just to delegate task to your teammates. Simple vocabulary will lead to better understanding and prevent miscommunication. It is also important to encourage yourself and others to use positive language even in a heated discussion. Negative language will only increase the tension and solution is far from your reach.
Listen to Other
Be more willing to listen to the others. Even if you are the owner of the business and the others are your employees, you work in together in team with the same vision and goal. Thus, you need to show them that you value their opinion and are willing to listen with attentiveness. You need to encourage your teammate to speak more and open up.
Joke!
Do not be afraid to insert some jokes when necessary. It can help the others to open up in more relaxed way. Sometimes, people are too shy or scared to open up due to seniority or tension. By throwing some light jokes, you can brighten up the atmosphere and lesson the burden. However, you don’t get to joke every time especially when discussing crucial matters. It will only make you unprofessional.
