Clear communications, is it asking for too much? Apparently so.
I did not hear that…
I thought you meant something else…
I forgot…
I told you I couldn’t…
The manager said to do….
The client said….
I could not finish on time so I ….
You never told me that so I …
And on it goes…costly time consuming, client destroying, profit eroding errors, because we do not communicate carefully, clearly, specifically, adequately.
I am not going to teach you how to communicate successfully, we all know how, we just do not do it. However I will point out to you some frequently missing components, ways to prevent bad communications and support clearer communications.
Why not:
1. Ask If the directions were fully understood.
2. Ask the listener to repeat them to make certain the communication was received as intended.
3. Do it in writing, what a novel thought, takes time but prevents failure in the long run.
4. Have systems in place, in writing, that assure successful repetition.
5. Create interim inspections of the process to assure accuracy (isn’t that a managers job?)
6. Train, train, train, do not reinvent the wheel for every situation.
7. Develop key indicators, and quality control benchmarks to support success and to make reporting more effective. It does not have to be an investigation every time someone gets confused.
8. Organize teams so no one has to do it alone, each team member can help each other. Team success is more valuable then individual success.
9. Incentive based rewards for successful performance works.
It can be done. Effective communications can be a hallmark of your business which will result in greater success and a more profitable business model. It is basic but if we are not succeeding in communicating successfully, how can we possibly succeed as a business?
