Whether your company is small or big, whether you belong to the public or private sector, and whatever industry you belong to, your organization requires good and effective communication.
As a manager or business owner, good and effective communication helps you understand your employees, their needs, points of view and perceptions. The information they gather from communicating with employees then helps you create and develop programs and policies that would motivate your staff, boost their morale and help them become more engaged.
In order to reach your goals and find success, here are some of the ways of improving communication in the workplace:
1. Utilize modern communication tools and channels.
One of the most important ways of improving communication is the utilization of modern communication tools. With communication tools becoming more advanced, management has the advantage of being able to communicate with employees no matter where they are. Tools such as desktop alert systems, instant messaging and video conferencing applications can be utilized by entrepreneurs and managers to communicate with staff in a much more efficient and instant manner.
Particular communication tools give companies specific advantages. While video conferencing and instant messaging are absolutely necessary for companies who employ remote workers, desktop alerts support a company’s need to instantly inform and update staff members regarding events, news and other important information through their desktops.
2. Create a balance when it comes to the use of communication tools.
There are tons of ways of improving communication and communication tools out there that companies can opt for. The key to effective utilization of these tools is being able to balance them and choosing the appropriate ones for your company and workforce. For example, while video conferencing is a very useful tool to communicate with remote employees, remember that face-to-face interactions with staff members who work in the office is also vital in order to create a more energetic and dynamic relationship between colleagues, and between employees and managers. Therefore, make sure to create an open line of communication with employees over the phone or face-to-face if possible.
3. Allow for Feedback.
Managers should not keep mum, especially when employees do a good job or need to improve on particular aspects of their role. When you commend employees for a job well done, they feel valued and are more motivated to do even better. On the other hand, workers who slack off or are not performing up to par need to be told of their behaviour so that they can improve on it and become more productive.
One of the ways of improving communication could be to hold regular chats and meetings with your staff members, especially if you feel like they need to be given feedback. However, there are other ways of providing feedback such as through voice calls, emails, and even short memos.
Do remember that when you give feedback, make sure that you are as clear and detailed as possible. If you see an issue that needs to be resolved, offer some possible solutions.
4. Promote collaboration.
Encouraging your team members to work together not only improves productivity, it also promotes creativity and camaraderie.
Different companies utilize various tools to promote collaboration, such as an internal wiki wherein employees can communicate about issues at work; and an intranet, or private portal where people can access and collaborate on important information.
5. Respect each one’s differences.
The workplace is becoming more and more diverse, especially if a company employs foreign workers. Management should be culturally sensitive and make sure that this practice trickles down to other employees.
Companies should their utmost to create a work environment that is able to cater to and understand the needs of employees from different religious and cultural backgrounds. It may be as simple as introducing vegetarian options in the cafeteria for those who do not believe in eating meat, or allowing staff members to take leave to fulfil their religious duties.
