Why companies should focus on improving employee communication
Updated: Dec 10, 2022
In David Grossman’s report “The Cost of Poor Communications”, 400 companies with 100,000 employees have found that they lose around $62.4 million per year because of inadequate communication between employees.
Nowadays, in addition to possessing general speaking skills, business professionals must be competent communicators. They must craft a recruitment strategy, interview new talent, and then train and manage that talent. This is achieved by effectively communicating with applicants and new hires, selecting, and retaining talent.
As indicated in the SHRM Body of Competencies and Knowledge (2016), effective communication skills are crucial to understanding business functions and metrics within the organisation, and to business success. However, only people with a deep understanding of business can communicate effectively. The skill of communication is a fundamental human competency because it allows us to coordinate with one another.
Practitioners who lack effective communication skills may find themselves at a disadvantage, as they struggle to get their ideas across to others and gain buy-in for their proposals.
At the same time, however, practitioners who can successfully communicate their expertise stand to gain great benefits within their organisation. By sharing their knowledge with other teams and departments, they can facilitate collaboration across different business areas and help improve productivity levels throughout the company. They may also be able to spot new.
The important question is: how often are you communicating with your employees who are not directly in your business function?
Do you have the communication skills to do so?
Do you have a communication plan for your employees and your business functions?
Are you communicating with your employees in a way that drives them to perform at their best?
Are you prepared for employee turnover?
Communication is key to success in any organisation, but especially in businesses where the workforce is constantly changing. To drive better performance from your employees, it is important to communicate with them regularly and effectively. Here are a few tips to improve your communication with employees:
Be clear and concise in your communication. Employees should understand what you expect from them and the company’s goals.
Communicate regularly, both formally and informally. Formal communication can take the form of weekly or monthly meetings, while informal communication can happen through day-to-day conversations, emails, or even text messages.
Be open to feedback and willing to listen to suggestions from employees. They may have valuable insights into how the company could be run more efficiently.
Encourage employee input and involvement in decision-making. This will help them feel invested in the company and its success.
Keep your door open, both figuratively and literally. Encourage employees to come to you with questions or concerns.
Be aware of your communication style and how it might be perceived by others. Make an effort to adjust your style as needed to ensure that your communication is clear and effective.
Finally, don’t forget to say thank you! Showing your appreciation for a job well done will go a long way in motivating employees to continue performing at their best.
Organisations should prioritise employee retention with effective communication at the core of any successful business. By maintaining an open dialogue, providing clear and timely feedback, and fostering a supportive work environment, employers can ensure that their employees are motivated, engaged, and invested in the success of the company.