good communication – Aimee Miller

Yes

Yes, we can do that. Yes, we see things improving. Yes, we can help. The notion of intention setting and positive thinking goes along way in business and in life. And if we can’t say yes, we can certainly find an alternative to no with words like “I know someone who can help”, “Let me see what I can do”, or “Let’s look at this a different way.”

You’re right

Words I love to hear at work and at home! This a must-have phrase for anyone in the service business and a great sentiment when our opinion has been altered or challenged by someone else’s insights.

Content

These days, unique content is critical for communicating with your customers, employees, the media and others you may be trying to reach. Sharing your news and expertise is a good start, but delivering fresh ideas and backing it up with reliable information is invaluable. In the New Year, challenge yourself to find new ways to develop and share creative content and keep the dialogue going with your target audiences.

A part, piece or portion. A resource or security. Giving and receiving. Trying re-framing your mindset and your messaging this year toward ways you can create opportunities for sharing that will undoubtedly result in increased teamwork, collaboration and communication. As they say, the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Mutual

This word conjures up a sense of respect and partnership. The motto of “we’re in this together” and for the good of both parties. Here’s to more mutually beneficial business relationships in 2013.

Great article with some quick tips for communicating more effectively by Paul Morin is founder of CompanyFounder.com.

1. Be concise. Don’t use 100 words to say something you can say in 50. It’s easy to become enamored of your own voice, but this may cause you to drone on and lessen your effectiveness as a communicator.

2. Have a point. Don’t speak for the sake of speaking. Have a point—especially when you’re trying to be persuasive or explain something. It’s one thing if you’re having coffee or a beer with a friend, but in a business or teaching situation it’s important to have a point before you start talking.

3. Don’t have too many points. It’s tough for most people to remember long lists. It’s even tougher if the list is comprised of complex points. Many memory experts say to stick to a list of seven or fewer points if you want your audience to remember them.

Have a maximum of three key points you’d like your audience to remember. Better yet, have just one and hit it from a bunch of different angles. Obviously this is not one-size-fits-all, but in most instances you’ll want to stick to a small number of key points or you will confuse your audience.

4. Use words and metaphors that will resonate with your audience. If you’re speaking to a board of directors, a group of CEOs, or a bunch of marketing vice presidents, the words you’ll use will be different from those you’ll use when speaking to a group of politicians or museum curators. This is true if you are speaking to individuals from these groups as well.

Each audience has its own buzzwords and hot buttons. It’s key to use examples, phrasing and metaphors that resonate with your audience. If not, you will not pass the ethos, pathos, logos test, and you will be far less likely to effectively get your point across.

5. Listen more than you talk. Listening to and understanding your audience are critical aspects of being an effective communicator. Unfortunately, it’s often tempting to formulate your next great thought while your audience is trying to communicate with you. Given the difficulty of multitasking effectively, the likelihood of you being able to formulate your thoughts and process those of your audience at the same time are very small.

If you don’t empathize with your audience, they will sense it, and it will make them far less likely to listen to and understand your message. The law of reciprocity is alive and well in effective two-way communication.

Give these tips a try and see if they help you communicate more effectively. Read more.

Tag: good communication

Top 5 Words for the New Year. As a PR consultant, I work with clients every day on what to say and how to say it. Here are a few words that I’d like to hear more of in the New Year.

5 Tips to Better Communication. Help with Holiday Party Banter or your New Year’s Resolution