Prose&Coms Business Narratives offers advice to small businesses on doing better business through effective communications. We hope that, by sharing communication tips, tricks and tools, we will stimulate you into thinking strategically about your business communications: What you communicate, to whom, how, how often, where and when.
If someone asks you: “About what is your business?,” what would your answer be? “I sell vegetables to our local community.” Or computers or stationary to small businesses, or communication services to corporate businesses, or, whatever your product or service might be. When you give an answer to this basic question, you are communicating to a potential client, funder, supplier or employee. The way that you communicate is important, whether you do it verbally, in writing or through your body language, facial expressions or gestures.
Do you know how you come across and what message the other person receives? Are you self-confident or anxious to make a sale or get funding? Does fear or anger show in your voice, body and eyes? How do you stand? How do you use your hands? Do you speak clearly? How effectively do you communicate?
Very often, we forget that all of us are in the business of relationship-building, externally with customers, suppliers or funders, as well as internally, with our staff – and that the way we communicate to those important stakeholders in our business build or break relationships.
Tip for the week: Become aware of the way you communicate and for two weeks, note down incidents where you communicated ineffectively. Look at how people react to you. Do they understand your message? Do they become defensive without you knowing why? Perhaps the answer lies in your communication style.
This blog appears as a regular column the Afridevelopment newsletter for small businesses owners. http://afrid.co.za/cms/index.php
