What Does Your Communication Style Say About You?

In today?s world, there are communication tips everywhere - in newspapers, onrntelevision and on the web. Why? That?s easy, because communication goes to thernvery core of our existence. We need other people to survive. In our personal lives, wernneed friends, spouses or significant others to enrich our lives. In business, we needrnpeople too. Your customers, employees and vendors all combine to interact with yournand make up the network of your company. What you say to these people and howrnyou say it determines how successful those relationships and ultimately your companyrnwill be.rnAs a small business owner, you have a unique advantage over owners of largerrncompanies or corporate CEOs. You have a much closer proximity to your customers,rnemployees and vendors. Often times you are even face-to-face with them rather thanrnsix (or more) degrees away such as those in larger firms. This means that your word rnis a valuable commodity that if used to its fullest can benefit you a hundred-fold.rnMaking the most of this valuable commodity ? your word either spoken or written ? canrnbe accomplished by asking yourself three simple questions:rnIs it Relevant? • Is your message relevant to the audience it is intended for? If you are sendingrnthe same message to everyone without differentiating it based on theirrnrelationship with you, your message may be lost or worse, perceived negatively.rnFor example, new customers probably need a somewhat different message thanrnexisting customers. • When you adjust your message by audience it says you understand their needsrnand value them, an especially important aspect in both customer and employeernrelations.rnIs it Concise? • As a small business owner, your time is valuable to you. The same can be saidrnof your customers. They have a constant overload of information coming atrnthem. Make your communications succinct but impactful and memorable.rnIs it Honest? • A man is only as good as his word, so the saying goes. Honestrncommunications go a long way in building trust because they show yourrnintegrity. Your integrity can be as important as the capital you raise for yourrnbusiness because without either one there?s no way to grow. • Don?t promise what you can?t deliver ? always deliver what you promise.rnThe way you communicate within and without your business can differentiate you fromrnyour small business competition and the larger players in your industry. Take the timernto make this simple but valuable commodity work for you by using these three questionsrnto improve your communication style.rnCopyright 2009 ? Mary Crotty