By Thamyris Barbosa
Make no mistake – good internal communication does not only depend on technical norms, strategic actions and the expertise of the team to be successful. No offence to these methods, but the following is important to point out: communication is much more than this. The good news is that it can be established in a much simpler way than you would imagine.
Although, why is communicating well so important in a corporate environment? The answer is very simple: the result appears in the bank account. That is what the renown PR company Holmes Report tells us. According to their publication, companies which communicate effectively grants a 47% higher return to their shareholders. Moreover, they have more engaged employees and lower employee turnover.
Considering these facts, the question remains: how can you implement or improve the communications culture in your company? To help you on this quest, below follows five basic tips on how to improve the internal communication in your work environment.
1 – Lead by example
A clear and direct communication depends on leadership. Be the first to share information, comment, give feedback, make questions. This way, other co workers will feel comfortable and encouraged to do the same.
2 – Keep the mission and the vision of the company visible
If you wish your employees to be aligned with the objectives that you design for the business, it is vital that everybody is aware of what these objectives are. Moreover, these concepts need to be internalized. It is helpful if they are available in written form and in a visible and easily accessible place to everyone.
3 – Beware of unnecessary meetings
Regular meetings can be useful, however, today there are numerous tools available which can fill the same purpose, without always interrupting the work routine. Especially if the intention is to only deliver updates on a project. If the matter can be resolved through email or a message, give preference to these methods.
4 – Dismantle the hierarchy
Hierarchies produce gaps in the communication. It is already a tendency in many companies to instead opt for structures centred around group work, due to the efficiency and effectiveness of this model of management. Less arbitrary decisions and a more accessible leadership facilitate the flow of information and the dialogue. This approximation can be challenging to make, but holds positive outcomes.
5 – Make communication a habit
Establish regular processes of communication. This can be a conference, a newsletter or a weekly, fortnightly or monthly communique. Systematic communication avoids people wasting time searching for information which could have been shared on beforehand.
Through small attitude changes like these, it is possible to define clear communication processes and to help the team work in a more precise manner and keep itself aligned with the priorities of the company. Even if your company only consists of two people, these tips will certainly optimize your time and result in improvements in efficiency, satisfaction and lucrativity.
