Communication is said to be a two way process, but how do you ensure that any message you send out will be clearly understood?
By harnessing the power of two way communications.
Modern business communications include tools such as desk and mobile phones, email, instant messaging, voicemail, presence information and audio, video and web conferencing.
In the business world, good communication is important for the daily operation of the company, but can also affect sales and profitability. Without good business communication, the internal and external structure of a business can face numerous challenges that can ultimately lead to its demise.
To reach a wider audience in order to promote our goods and services we use advertising in numerous formats, exhibitions, press, billboards, television, web sites, digital marketing via mobile phones, tablets and hand held devices, the list of mediums available is seemingly endless.
One-way communication in business is when a company sends out a message to its customers or employees via some form of advertising, to share information on their products or services. Some businesses will simply send out emails or flyers to the companies on their existing client lists, while others may distribute the information more widely. A targeted approach is the most effective; there is no point in sending out messages to people to whom your products and services are not relevant.
Remember before you unveil your “shop window” and put your company and its products and services on display, that poorly produced advertising displaying a lack of attention to detail, such as a spelling mistake, a grammatical error or a poorly produced website, will not communicate your company or product in the way you would wish. Before undertaking such an important exercise it is well worth while engaging the services of a professional marketeer or web site designer used to working with businesses in your sector.
The development of technology has facilitated two way dialogue between company and customers. Social media marketing is just such a form of two-way communication that has gained in popularity because it not only allows businesses to communicate with its prospects and customers, but it also allows the prospects and customers to respond.
Following up your marketing is only sensible; otherwise you may just be pouring your adverting budget down the drain. A written sales letter could be sent by post shortly afterwards, and a printed advertisement in the local press or relevant B2B magazine will reinforce your message, and encourage feedback.
This two-way communication can provide valuable insights to the advertiser enabling them to assess the effectiveness of their message and to build up an additional data base of respondents who have displayed some interest in the company. Publishing a selection of responses on your media platform also will add credibility to your offering, who these days would stay in a hotel or guest house without first checking on Trip Advisor?
Keeping effective lines of communication open between a business and its customers, can directly affect the sales of the business by effectively communicating to prospects and customers how its products and services can benefit them will convert prospects into customers.
Terrific, but all this good work can be easily undone when the potential customer approaches the business. The initial response is vital; telephones and emails must be responded to promptly and efficiently. We have all been frustrated when trying to reach a company if the phones aren’t answered properly or our messages via answerphone or email are not dealt with speedily.
With the way we communicate changing on a daily basis, and the significance of telecommunications technologies to any business, the requirement to keep them up to date, cannot be overstated.
Making sure that you have the best telecoms for your business and that they’re always as current as possible, is going to be one of the most important investments you make and it is in every professional’s best interest to make sure that they are aware of new developments, be they a telecommunications expert or not. Clearly, any business that relies solely on a fax machine and 10 year-old mobile phones is going to struggle to keep up with current business practices.
Telecoms play a key part in many aspects of a business, apart from the obvious one of transmitting information, telephones, faxes, television, the internet and a vast array of private networks; telecommunications technology can be aptly described as a firm’s central nervous system.
When the internal forces of a business are working toward communicating the same message to vendors, suppliers and customers, good communication will boost sales and profitability.