3 Rules of Optimized Communications

Today’s blog is about some basic communication strategies to ensure that the right message gets to the right person.

Projects and business relationships fail because of improper communications. I guess this holds true for personal relationships as well. However, as this is a blog focused on business optimization strategies, we will keep personal stuff for another time.

Communications can be in the form of written or verbal. Communications can be informally structured or they can be formal such as an inter-office memo or press release. Regardless of the communication type there exists some common features. In any communication at there is a sender, receiver, and a message.

Rule #1: Identify the right method of communication
Not everyone likes to receive information in the same medium. Some may prefer face-to-face, while others may prefer an email. Therefore, whether you are communicating with a vendor or internally with managers or employees identify who responds to what type of medium. Create a spreadsheet that has a group or persons name and write the preferred method of communication.

Now in large organizations or projects you may want to identify communication methods on an individual basis for decision makers and have group-wide methods of communication for the rest.

Rule #2: Say it so that you cannot be misunderstood
The message is equally important as the type of communication. Get to the point. Many times emails or phone messages go on and on and the receiver ends up more confused then before. Communication is all about getting the other person to receive what you intended to deliver.

Therefore, start your communication with “the purpose of the message”. State in clear terms why you are calling or writing. After the main purpose of the message then go in to any background story. However, if you have a long story, you must re-state your “point” at the end again. This is done so that there is no room for misunderstanding.

Rule #3: Follow-up
Some communications require a follow-up. This is so that the message and its intent is re-enforced to the receiver. Many-a-times, important decision communications will not be followed up and this results in the wrong decision being made.

One would think that if the message is clear and written or stated in a way that the chances for misunderstanding would be negligible. Unfortunately, human nature is to interpret what one wants to hear. Therefore, I recommend that for certain critical communications, a follow-up is very important.

In conclusion, identify who should receive what type of communication and in which medium; state the point of your communication; and finally if the communications is critical, always follow-up.

QUESTION:
Please comment to this post by answering: Are there communication issues in your company or project? If yes, what are the root causes? If no, what do you attribute the success to?

Thank You

Sal
http://www.skkservices.com/

Economic recession worries got you down? Solution: Initiate

Recently all one sees and hears on media is “recession, recession, recession”. Now I am speaking in for the US Market, but there is also a global recession in the works.

Let’s just get to the point. Recession is upon us or coming soon. What does this mean for the entrepreneur or small business owner? Contrary to what you may think that recession is bad…this is a great time for your business. Look at the tremendous opportunity in the market place. Recession weeds out the wanna-be’s. The people who truly believe in their product and service will be the ones standing.

So how do you ensure your survival? The answer is very simple, which is that you must initiate and be proactive.

You must move away from waiting and hoping for business and start moving towards creating a need/desire for your product/service.

You can start to make calls everyday. Start with your existing customers. Call them or go visit them in person. Spend time with them. Improve on your existing relationship. Find out about their short-term and long-term needs. Ask them about their industry trends. Find ways to align your product/service inline with their needs. This will generate value and when the value surpasses the need, it turns into a “want”. -And once that happens all you have to do is to ink the deal.

Extend your approach to prospects as well. Make a proactive effort to make a new prospect appointment each week (every day would be ideal). Visit the prospect. Build a relationship. Find out about their needs and wants. Prior to the visit research their industry trend. Find a way to align your product/service with their needs in order to convert their need in to a “want” thereby heightening value of your product/service.

Do this everyday and often and you will insure your success in this economic recession. You can also match needs and wants of the various people in your network, i.e. match your clients with prospects and vise-a-verse.

Ever heard of the phrase “only the strong shall survive” or “survival of the fittest”. This is the time to show what you are made of. All the businesses that are waiting for stuff to happen will have a hard time to live through this phase. If you are proactive in imitating contacts then your chances will much better.

Till next time!

Sal
www.salmankkhan.com

If you get a business inquiry, DO follow-up!

Hello Everyone,
I guess I got too busy with clients and getting ready for the upcoming Expo that I found myself not writing. Well! I need to get back at blogging and so, here I am.

Over the past few weeks I meet many business owners. I must say that I am very surprised that many business owners let so many opportunities to make money slip by. As a small business coach, I try to help many businesses connect. I actively find business for my members as well as ANY one that I come across. I love to help people.

More than once I have referred potential customers to business owners and more than once I have been surprised how these business owners DON’T follow-up with the referrals. Why? I don’t get it. I attend meetings and here these same people ask everyone for referrals; but when they get it…..they are not appreciative.

People: If you want to have credibility and if you want to show that you DO care, then please please please follow up with your prospects/referrals etc.

My First Blog

Hello To All,
Well! I finally did it. I am now going to start blogging. I am searching for the right idea/topic to write about. In the meantime, if anyone out there has any questions on life, business, how to focus, make more money, enjoy life….whatever, please email me.

Otherwise, keep your feeds open for a new post shortly.

Bye