It’s been established that effective communication increases productivity by as much as 25%. Business communication not only refers to communication between employers and employees but also how information is expressed to those outside the company. Clear communication is vital and, in the words of Jason Cherubini, “[The] right ‘process’ in terms of leadership is through open communication.”
American analytics and advisory company Gallup, Inc. found that 75% of employees feel that they are debarred from access to company news. This lack of open and honest communication makes them feel disconnected and disengaged. A disengaged workforce translates into a decline in productivity, a sharp escalation in absenteeism and too many resignations.
Deloitte research found that as many as 77% of employees do not feel that their employers consider the personal goals of employees. Even though employees are the lifeblood of the company, as many as 60% of companies do not have a long-term plan to improve on communications. Another important but neglected form of communication is acknowledgement – when employees are shown appreciation, it has a positive impact on productivity, profitability, and morale.
Excellent Onboarding Leads to Retention
As few as 12% of employees feel that the company did a great onboarding job. The importance of successful onboarding cannot be overestimated because it makes employees feel comfortable in their assigned role, understand what is expected of them and it expands their knowledge about the company’s direction and philosophy.
How to Improve on Communication in the Workplace
You can start by using a collaboration tool such as an intranet: a computer network operating system for fast and easy sharing of information within an organization. The intranet is likely to make your employees feel more connected and gives them the flexibility to work from anywhere. Business communication can be verbal or written and deciding which one to use, depends on the context.
Written comms are great if you wish to keep a paper trail or use the notes for future planning. Verbal comms are more spontaneous and allow for a free flow of thought and an exchange of ideas. Positive feedback and corrective, actionable advice is important to support employees in doing a better job. Allow employees to contribute to discussions and problem-solving sessions on aspects of the work that directly affect them.
According to Tryane Analytics, utilizing analytics solutions can help you to determine what form of communication elicits the best results. When you have analytical data that clearly highlights where you’re getting good results, internal communication departments can streamline operations and be more effective. But not all communication takes place verbally or on paper. Body language can speak volumes in the workplace too. Try, by watching employees body language, to identify if there are issues that they may not be mentioning.
Effective communication contributes to a good company culture and shows that the employers value and care about staff. As Max Messmer, Chairman of Accountemps says, “improving workplace communication is one of the most effective – and least costly – ways to combat the problem of a disengaged workforce.”
