Communication is essential for any organized activity to develop and work properly. Every human activity involves communication. As organizations have become more complex and diversified their radius of action, they have realized that communication is the most important element in their development.
Corporate communication is much more relevant in the digital age, where social channels allow interactions at a previously unknown speed. In companies, the positive effects of communication are evident in terms of competitiveness, ability to adapt to changes, encouraging employee motivation, commitment, and involvement, and creating an inclusive work climate.
Here’s a detailed explanation of the importance of communication for organizations and individuals and tips to strengthen communication skills!
Importance of Communication in Organizations
Businesses can only hope to achieve their goals with good communication. When communication is poor, employee performance suffers, and productivity takes a hit. For this, you must favor communication in the company to hope to obtain effective results. Your organization must grasp the real scope of the importance of communication in business to be more competitive.
When a company clearly defines its communication principles between its management and staff, it promotes unity. In addition, during exchanges between staff and management, the atmosphere is perfect for conclusive proposals.
However, the opposite case can constitute a real obstacle in the operation of the various activities.
Within the communication in the company, we can distinguish between internal and external.
Internal Communication
It occurs within the company, among the members that form part of it, through the formal channels established for it (internal meetings, email, intranet, corporate social networks), and through the different social networks and personal relationships among them.
Internal communication is often ignored, but it is vital to encourage the participation and commitment of employees. It is important to strengthen an internal corporate identity, in which all members of the company feel identified with the brand, before being able to launch a consistent corporate image to customers.
Internal communication in the company is considered descending when it starts from the highest levels of the hierarchy to the lowest. This type of communication, formal or informal, has always been present, but turning communication into something one-way, without waiting for a response, can be a mistake with irreparable consequences in the medium term.
That is why upward communication is gaining popularity in organizations. It arises from the employees as an effective method for their superiors to know their complaints, ideas, or suggestions, as well as the different success stories in the organization’s activity. With current technological improvements, implementing systems that optimize internal communication has greatly reduced its cost.
External Communication
Its significance lies in the company’s ability to project and strengthen its image by communicating with different interest groups of the organization (potential clients, the public, the media, etc.). In this way, the company communicates its projects or activities with its stakeholders and builds its brand identity.
It is a vital strategic tool for the company to position itself in the market. Still, it must no longer be limited to the advertising message itself but must be built based on a comprehensive form of communication. This must be based both on the agility of response to external positive opinions and mentions and on sensitivity and empathy in the face of the different brand crises that may occur in specific cases.
It is becoming more and more essential to prepare an external communication plan which considers fundamental aspects:
- Defining your own corporate identity.
- The image of the company is perceived within its market.
- The ideal image you would like to convey to the public.
- The communication strategies necessary to implement the plan toward a given target audience.
Reasons Why Good Communication is Essential
Here are some important reasons why maintaining better communication is essential for your company:
Communicating Facilitates Creativity within a Company
When you understand the importance of communication in business, you will have a team that can complement each other. In the field, the teams will be more united, which will help strengthen the employees’ state of mind. They make fewer mistakes when they are well-informed of the objectives to be achieved and receive the right directives. They are confident in performing their tasks and feel more secure.
This also allows effective employee participation when making concrete proposals during project discussions. With their various contributions, you can be sure to see great innovations.
Indeed, a company’s proper functioning and efficiency depend essentially on the performance of communication. This key point allows the company to communicate its main objectives to employees. Therefore, effective communication is absolutely necessary for making major decisions to move toward objectives.
Moreover, everything will depend on the scope of the information available to the leaders. If they are correctly informed, they can make good decisions.
Helps Coordinate the Various Actions in the Company
It is essential to understand the usefulness of communication in business planning to understand its importance. When the company’s communication system is effective, its various members can intervene quickly.
Everyone can directly or indirectly bring their objections or suggestions in real time. In doing so, your company will experience a boom in innovation because all the staff is involved in better-added value.
Increases Employee Productivity
In the same option, when all your employees interact perfectly with each other, their productivity can only be at its maximum. First, you will save time and money with an error index at its low level. Then you will see that your employees will be more relaxed and their willingness to work together can only increase.
In addition, your staff will become more attached to the company because they are listened to, and the exchange between teams improves.
Strengthens Corporate Ties through Quality Communication
When you coordinate your activities perfectly with the required level of communication, the workers may be less likely to complain. When you know your employees are a family at work, you can be sure of your success. You can consolidate such a bond with a motivation that can push them to surpass themselves. Above all, you can rely on this quality of communication to establish your notoriety and leadership.
A state of mind that meets the requirements is very important in corporate communication. Employees no longer need to strike when they disagree on certain points. In a climate of good communication, the latter can complain to the relevant department within the company. This allows you to address the demands of your employees without triggering a business fiasco.
Thus, the management of the company and its staff trust each other because they communicate perfectly. When your employees are listened to, they work with more serenity, and their loyalty to the company becomes irreproachable.
The morale of your employees will be at an all-time high. They will carry out their tasks with enthusiasm every day in the company. Thus, the importance of good communication must prevail over everything else.
Keeps the Team Well-Informed About the Company’s Policies
All companies have certain rules or policies specific to their internal operation that must be communicated to the employees.
The leaders may send written texts of the regulation to the employees, but it should not be limited to this only. It is imperative to communicate regularly with the employees on the various texts that govern your business. When you do, you are helping your staff carry out actions, whether towards customers or colleagues in the company.
Facilitates Conversations Between Staff and Managers
The importance of communication in business is not just limited to the demands of management. When you run a business, you need to listen to your employees. When they try to make you an offer, for example, take the time to show them consideration and genuine care. You probably have good ideas as a leader but allow your employees to share theirs.
You may notice a drop in productivity in an employee. What to do in this case? Engage in discussion with them. And if necessary, share your experiences so they can explain their problem’s most important point. The key to a successful business is to promote face-to-face communication where employees can also openly convey their concerns and queries.
Indeed, with good communication, understanding between managers and employees is enhanced. When your company can identify the strengths of communication, it succeeds in almost every project it undertakes.
This is an inescapable principle; therefore, maintaining effective communication within the organization should be a priority of every business. But how to improve one’s communication skills?
Let’s find out!
Tips to Strengthen Your Communication Skills
Strengthening communication skills means improving your ability to listen and express yourself with those around you actively. However, to achieve it, you must master several skills that allow you to understand the signals of verbal and non-verbal communication and listen.
Here are some tips to improve communication skills:
Communicate More
Research indicates that listeners’ understanding is overestimated. Therefore, the first and most important tip is to communicate clearly and excessively when sharing new ideas since the audience is likely to absorb less than expected.
Avoid Relying on Visual Aids
Renowned companies such as Apple and Facebook have banned the use of PowerPoint in presentations as they consider that they can hinder communication instead of promoting it.
The recommendation is that when giving a presentation, you are always prepared to use words, make convincing narratives, and launch non-verbal signals that communicate your point of view to your listeners. Avoid visual aids unless absolutely necessary.
Practice Active Listening
To be an effective communicator, it is also important to be a good listener. A good way to show that you connect with what others tell you is by giving affirmative answers and asking follow-up questions.
Focus on Nonverbal Communication
Paying attention to nonverbal cues can help prevent miscommunication and spark interest in those around you. Watch your facial expressions and body language when speaking. Nonverbal cues affect the impression people may have of you. Maintain eye contact, limit hand gestures, and maintain good posture, especially when meeting someone for the first time.
Manage Your Emotions
It is important to manage emotions and express them according to the context to achieve good communication. Control strong emotions in academic and professional environments to avoid miscommunication and conflicts.
Request Feedback
As with many skills, receiving feedback from peers and mentors is critical to becoming a better communicator. Asking for feedback will help you discover areas of opportunity. Cultivating the habit of listening to other people’s points of view will help improve your relationships and as a communicator.
Practice Public Speaking
Public speaking can seem overwhelming, but practicing is the best way to lose your fear and develop your skills. Great communicators can articulate their feelings, whether speaking to a large group or face-to-face with another person. Speaking regularly in front of a group magnifies your strengths and weaknesses, encouraging the development of good communication habits.
Conclusion!
The need for the company to communicate effectively with its members is of the utmost importance. Every company must prioritize a communication and information system within its organizational structure to better communicate with the team, keep them well-informed and encouraged, listen to them actively, and provide timely feedback.
Both internal and external communications promote participation, integration, and coexistence between the organization’s stakeholders. Internally, it fulfills a series of functions, while externally, it builds a good reputation, depending on how clearly and openly you’ve communicated.
