By Garth Bevan
Every business is built upon client relationships and partnerships. Even with all the digitization, communication is still a prerequisite for every deal. It keeps the people in touch and provides a more personal touch which is necessary for trust in business. But why exactly is communication relevant when everything is online and digital?
Communication skills in the corporate realm
The virtual world is an indispensable part of the business. But true relations are based upon open communication. It requires skills to maintain a professional relationship with your sponsors, clients, team members etc. These skills may not be inherent in every individual, hence there is a need to develop them. An individual could always opt for communication skills training to perfect their interactive expertise.
- Listen: In the desperation to be heard, more often than not, people tend to ignore listening. Listening is an important part of communication. People respond positively when they feel like they are heard. Like you wish to be heard, listen to what the other people are implying. It provides a healthy workplace interaction. A good communication skills training curriculum can train you to be a good orator and a better listener.
- Communication styles: People communicate differently. Every person has a different style. Look out for this when networking with people. In the business world, you will come across diverse people and the only way to not get carried away is to learn and understand their language. Not the literal language, but how people express themselves. This is specifically critical when interacting with customers. Most of the time clients may not be able to express themselves completely. So, the responsibility of making them feel comfortable enough to open up falls upon you. It is important to create a healthy trustworthy environment where the person feels free enough to express their needs. This will lead to effective product delivery and service.
- Persuasion power: Let us call a spade a spade, around 30% of every business is about coaxing people into believing how good an idea is. It is about putting an idea into their mind and making them think it is their own. But this can be subjective. Persuasion is a power, not forcing people to make a deal. It is about laying down facts and figures and convincing them how they will be benefitted. When communicating you need to stress the pros and not the cons so that the clients will also see the situation from your end.
- Culture: When you are a part of the corporate world, you will be dealing with diverse people from different countries and cultures. Communication is the key to eradicating cultural barriers. Things can be complicated if you do not understand the cultural differences and acknowledge them. Be respectful in your tone and show patience. Make the opposite person value your contributions by making them feel like you value them too.
All these factors are on the road to becoming a good conversationalist. Being out in the business world will expose you to so many distinct situations where you will have to use your communication skill to endure it all. It is always best to be ready to face it all.
