Communication in the Work Place Is Paramount for All Businesses

Communication in the Work Place Is Paramount for All Businesses
By Lance Winslow

When MBA gurus discuss business communication in the work place they are often talking about small, medium and large businesses with offices. But what if you and your family or spouse run an online business and work out of a residence? In this case you may think you can by-pass the advice of business workplace communication experts. Actually you would be wise to still consider the words of wisdom when it comes to workplace communication as it could simplify your life substantially.

You see Communication in the Work Place is paramount for All Businesses no matter what size. Even a consulting business with a single secretary needs to consider these things. Businesses run out of the home where all members are family is also important and without it animosity might develop and therefore cause family friction while the goal of making money suffers and along with it your desire and profit goals.

How can you improve your communication in a business run by family in your home or residence? Simple really, while working stay professional and serious about your mission statement and your business goals and keep family chit chat to a minimum by snapping into your work zone and out of your family issues and concerns. Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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Communication Skills - Powerful Tools for Personal and Professional Success

Communication Skills - Powerful Tools for Personal and Professional Success
By Sara Jones

In a well-known study, 3,000 people were asked what frightened them most. The number one answer was "public speaking".

Poor communication skills can create chaos in the workplace. The very reason for communication is to be understood. To get positive results, speakers need to understand the effect of their words on others. Listeners need to understand what they hear by avoiding quick judgment and misinterpretation. Strategies for making sure communication is clear and direct so that listeners receive information accurately.

Have you ever expressed an opinion that led others to become defensive or hostile - even if you didn't mean it personally? Many people have reasons for believing they're being attacked. Defensive behavior can lead to hurt feelings, arguments and hostilities, often affecting a variety of relationships. The Defensiveness chain that is created impairs communication and reduces productivity. Communicating Non-Defensively shows five essential skills that promote a productive work environment.

1. How to disengage from a defensive position

2. How to empathize and disarm a defensive person

3. How to inquire and focus on the issues

4. How to disclose ones own needs and goals non-defensively

5. How to depersonalize the issues

Good verbal communication isn't automatic: we must work hard at it. The ability to speak effectively is one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional success. And because people who speak effectively are perceived as leaders. The four main components of effective speaking for an audience of any size are as follows:

Mental Effectiveness

Visual Effectiveness

Vocal Effectiveness

Verbal Effectiveness

Together, these components make sure communication is clear and direct so that listeners receive information accurately.

http://www.crmlearning.com/communication

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Is There A Need for Soft Skills And Effective Communication In The Workplace?

Is There A Need for Soft Skills And Effective Communication In The Workplace?
By Donnovon Outten

As the marketplace for many organizations grows, there are different challenges that surface in the world of business. It is necessary that employees have both effective communication skills and soft skills to match. From experience, one without the other is a recipe for disaster.

Communicating with employees is more than just giving instructions for the day. The way information is communicated has a direct impact on performance. Employees look to the leaders in an organization to set the tone and culture within the work environment. Offering open lines of communication in the workplace allows staff members to speak freely without fear of repercussion so that they may readily share information, ideas and concepts.

The human element is diverse and complex, but when attempting to keep an upbeat and positive work environment it is almost impossible without effective communication. When effective communication is prevalent in an organization, that organization is more likely to have employee satisfaction and positive production, which ultimately leads to achieving bottom line objectives. Like the old saying goes, "you get what you give." So why not create an environment of effective communication in the work place.

As important as it is to have effective communication in an organization, it is equally imperative for employees, managers, supervisors and executives to have soft skills abilities. Soft skills are the non-technical skills, abilities, and traits that individuals need to function in a specific environment. They include competencies like problem-solving, cognitive skills, oral communication skills, personal qualities, work ethic, interpersonal and teamwork skills.

What was once considered a "soft" skill is now seen to have "hard" business impacts. The resulting costs to your business for poor employee communication and soft skills include:

• increased employee turnover

• increased absenteeism

• dissatisfied customers from poor customer service

• higher product defect rates

• lack of focus on business objectives

• stifled innovation

Communicating effectively is characterized by such things as active listening, using "I" messages instead of "you" messages, conflict management, positive body language, and asking the right questions. These things can be accomplished through training and behavioral assessments. Utilizing assessments to gauge where your employees are is a great tool. However, employers should also then follow up with substantial personal and professional development training to ensure their employees success.

Effective workplace communication and soft skills not only improves workplace relationships, but it also improves workplace efficiency. While change is inevitable in life and business, how it is presented contributes greatly to the way it is received, perceived and responded to. Thus if you create a negative work environment, you will surely have negative outcomes; but if you invest in your employees you will get a greater return on your investment.

Dr. Donnovon Outten is a powerful trainer, consultant, coach, author, and professor. He is the President of Entitled Enterprise Consulting, Inc. where the principal focus is providing strategic tools for personal and professional development.

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