Why Communication is the Most Important Business Skill?

Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers using one or more media and communication channels. The essence of communication is sharing—providing data, information, insights, and inspiration in an exchange that benefits both you and the people with whom you are communicating. 

 

COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR CAREER

You can have the greatest plans and ideas in the world, but they usually aren’t much good to your company or your career if you can’t express them clearly and persuasively. Some jobs, such as sales and customer support, are primarily about communicating. In fields such as engineering or finance, you often need to share complex ideas with executives, customers, and colleagues, and your ability to connect with people outside your field can be as important as your technical expertise. If you have the entrepreneurial urge, you will need to communicate with a wide range of audiences, from investors, bankers, and government regulators to employees, customers, and business partners. The changing nature of employment is putting new pressure on communication skills, too. Companies such Uber and Lyft are the most visible in the gig economy, where independent contractors work without many of the advantages or the disadvantages of regular employment. Many other companies now supplement their permanent workforces with independent contractors in a variety of business and technical fields who are brought on for a short period or even just a single project. Chances are you will spend some of your career as one of these freelancers, working without the support network that an established company environment provides. You may need to “sell yourself” into each new contract, and you will need to communicate successfully in a wide range of work situations and take full responsibility for your career growth and success. If you launch a company or move into an executive role in an existing organization, you can expect communication to consume the majority of your time. Top executives spend most of their workdays communicating, and businesspeople who can’t communicate well don’t stand much chance of reaching the top.

COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMPANY

Aside from the personal benefits, communication should be important to you because it is important to your company. Effective communication helps businesses in numerous ways, by promoting

• A stronger sense of trust between individuals and organizations
• Closer ties with important communities in the marketplace
• Opportunities to influence conversations, perceptions, and trends
• Increased productivity and faster problem solving
• Better financial results and higher return for investors
• Earlier warning of potential problems, from rising business costs to critical safety issues
• Stronger decision making based on timely, reliable information
• Clearer and more persuasive marketing messages
• Greater engagement of employees with their work, leading to higher employee satisfaction and lower employee turnover

Effective communication strengthens the connections between a company and all of its stakeholders, those groups affected in some way by the company’s actions: customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors, the community, the nation, and the world as a whole. To make your communication efforts as effective as possible, focus on making them practical, factual, concise, clear, and persuasive:

1. Provide practical information. Give recipients useful information, whether it’s to help them perform a desired action or understand a new company policy.
2. Give facts rather than vague impressions. Use concrete language, specific detail, and information that is clear, convincing, accurate, and ethical. Even when an opinion is called for, present compelling evidence to support your conclusion.
3. Present information in a concise, efficient manner. Concise messages show respect for people’s time, and they increase the chances of a positive response.
4. Clarify expectations and responsibilities. Craft messages to generate a specific response from a specific audience. When appropriate, clearly state what you expect from readers or listeners or what you can do for them.
5. Offer compelling, persuasive arguments and recommendations. Show your readers precisely how they will benefit by responding to your message the way you want them to.