Whatever your company size, effective communication is a must if you want to succeed. And chances are, you do.
Consider the fact that almost 30% of workers said communication and diplomacy are two areas managers need to improve. More often than not, how well you deliver messages to your employees is just as important as the message itself.
In fact, 50% of employees reported that when managers share information and data, they are more productive and motivated.
And to really drive home how important effective communication is for businesses, one-third of employees said that the ability to collaborate and communicate their ideas and suggestions makes them more loyal to the company.
It just goes to show that effective communication in the workplace will help promote a positive atmosphere as everyone is on the same page. As you increase robust communication, success follows.
However, don’t forget that success isn’t an overnight guarantee, instead you need to stick with it so that you can reap the benefits in the long run.
We list 6 tips for better employee communication that are easy and effective methods, and they won’t break the bank either.
Encourage feedback and act on it
Communication must be a two-way street if you want to boost engagement and productivity. When you aren’t actively gaining feedback and suggestions from your team then you’re up against a restrained company culture and frustration among your employees.
Your employees are in the trenches, day in and day out. They have heard every customer compliment and complaint. As such, they genuinely know what works for your customers and what doesn’t so ensure you’re using this to your advantage.
In fact, 65% of employees believe their company is behind and 82% have ideas on how to better things at the company, but no one is listening. They have no platform to be heard. And that’s exactly what you don’t want when it comes to effective communication.
Do not wait until the annual review or exit review, that’s just not going to cut it. Instead, ask for feedback on a regular basis. Such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
Ask your team about their feedback and ideas on management skills, employee experience, customer experience, sales ideas, product ideas, decorating the office, the holiday gift, the company outing, and more. Actively listen to what they say and if it’s an amazing idea, implement it!
Using the right tools is crucial
As a manager, you must make sure that you are using the best tools to support every communication channel at your company. For example, Email, Slack, Zoom, Trello, and Skype work great if your employees are sitting behind a desk most of the day.
However, if you have non-desk and remote employees then you need a different tool. Like an employee communication app for mobile employees in order to communicate effectively.
The best option for communicating with your non-desk and remote employees is Connecteam. Connecteam’s employee communication app with engaging and effective tools for teams of all sizes.
Streamlining communication with Connecteam is easy and fits like a glove for all industries, such as security, construction, cleaning, and more.
Here are some of Connecteam’s top features that fit all your team collaboration and internal communication needs:
- Share company news, updates, and documents and get feedback with comments and likes
- Create channels for one-sided updates and announcements
- Real-time collaboration with group chat or one-on-one chat
- Add content, share files, videos, voice notes, GIFS, & pictures
- Facilitate two-way communication & boost employee engagement and productivity
- In-app suggestion box
- Send push notifications to make sure everyone gets the message
Pricing: Connecteam offers a free for life plan
Use video to your advantage
If you are looking for an alternative to face-to-face meetings because your team is working remotely, is a massive organization, or is scattered across state lines then you need to look into video solutions.
There are a ton of solutions on the market that offer simple recording and editing, a live stream or meeting, and many have tight security features. Look into solutions like Zoom, Skype, Vidyard, or Vimeo.
With video communication, you create a more personal discussion as you can really see gestures and tone with your employees and vice-versa.
Your employees will be able to read your body language so the message is effectively delivered. It’s easier to understand if it’s good or bad news whereas written communication is often misread.
“Video allows you to get your point across in less time. Just take this common office scenario: a new employee needs help getting set up in a software system.
They ask a colleague for help, and after a few backs and forth emails and screenshots, their coworker just walks over and points at their screen. Why? Because the combination of talking and showing is more effective,” says a video professional at Vidyard.
Regularly check in with your employees
Checking in with your employees is super important for effective communication in the workplace.
As mentioned, schedule in-person or video meetings every week or month so that you can all discuss and brainstorm projects, issues, and the organization itself. Send a survey via the communication app. Whatever works!
Make sure you’re asking them for their general thoughts, complaints, recommendations, and so on. Your team wants to share their opinions and thoughts so be respectful of this and you will surely improve communication in the workplace.
Create an open-door policy and follow through with it
A lot of employees feel like their biggest obstacle for effective communication is because they’re not comfortable with engaging in real dialogue with higher-ups in the company, like managers from another department or the CEO.
Often, they feel apprehensive about sharing their opinions, insights, and thoughts with the boss and this can block the flow of communication in the workplace.
By implementing an open-door policy then your employees will feel far more comfortable approaching you – this translates into a positive internal communication environment and makes the “top boss(es)” more approachable.
In addition, it is a great motivator for your team! But, if you aren’t being approached then look at our last point – check in with your team regularly.
Recognize your top performers or anyone doing an awesome job
Be sure to recognize your employees’ efforts when they are doing an amazing job in their daily role, whether they crushed a KPI or brought back an unsatisfied customer or just made an overall positive impression, tell them so.
After all, your employees are human and want to receive a “pat on the back” for a job well done. In addition, it sets an example for the rest of the team as it communicates expectations through positive action.
Send a company-wide email recognizing the employee’s job well done, share the positive news on the company app or social media, give them a gift card or handwritten note, and so on.
In conclusion…
Communicating effectively in the workplace is an ongoing process and isn’t something you cross off your to-do list. There must be a “give-and-take” relationship that takes compassion and the ability to listen well to really implement good communication skills.
By communicating well, over and over and over, you will see an increase in engagement, morale, productivity, and overall satisfaction in the company.
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