Research has shown that productivity automatically improves by 20-25% in organizations with connected employees. Communication is not only important so your customers know who you are, but is also necessary for productivity within a business and its employees. Poor communication from management is one of the leading causes of small business failures. In business, communication manifests itself in two main forms: external and internal.
External Communication: Marketing
If no one knows about your product or service, how are you going to sell anything? There are three main ways to execute your marketing strategy and communicate with your consumers.
Visually – This comes in the form of things your consumers can see. Whether it be an advertisement pop-up, social media post, television commercial, or billboard, it should clearly communicate to whoever is looking at it who you are and what you are sellig. Generally, visual communication is made to be aesthetically pleasing so people are enticed. You want them to see something they like so they purchase your product or services.
Auditory – Focusing more on sound than sight, auditory communication can come in the form of a radio commercial, information spoken along with some form of visual communication, or even just word of mouth marketing. A common example would be a catchy jingle or slogan, something that gets stuck in people’s head so they frequently think about your company.
Kinesthetically – Appealing to touch, this is a more hands-on approach to marketing. Sending out sample products or having product displays in your stores, allowing your customers to hold and use your product before purchase is a great way to generate more sales. Once people enjoy touching or feeling something, they are more inclined to buy it.
Having more than one of these three types of marketing is highly encouraged as the more senses you appeal to, the more your marketing strategy is reinforced in the minds of the consumers.
Internal Communication: Business Culture and Relationships
While it is crucial to communicate to your consumers, communication within your business, among you and your employees, is equally as crucial. If all employees are not on the same page and don’t understand fully the company’s values and goals, this will lead to inefficiency and conflict. In small businesses with relatively few employees, it is imperative for the manager or CEO to have relations and active communication with all employees. How is this achieved?
As a manager, you must clearly relay your goals and what you want of your employees. Having regular meetings and face to face communication are good ways to ensure everyone is on track. It also shows that you are invested in their success and care about working with them, versus just assigning and critiquing tasks. Instead of making them feel like they work for you, fostering teamwork and collaboration by working with your employees can help to create a positive business culture. Be an active leader. Be transparent and honest. That is how your business thrives.
