In today’s workplace there are some important skills that employers are looking for in their employees. This is important to know if you want to get a new job or if you want to remain or get promoted in your present job.

Good communication in the workplace is one such skill.

You want to be good at verbal communication and written communication. Employers are also looking for technological know-how.

Verbal communication is one of the more important ways to communicate in the workplace nowadays because a lot of written memoranda are outdated and replaced by voice mail and email.

How you express yourself verbally is the one skill that employers look for the most in todays workplace.

This is especially important for people who work with the public, such as in custormer service or at a front desk at a doctor’s surgery for example. They are also important when you work with teams. All these positions require that you’re able to empathize and give feedback.

Because poor communication in the workplace is responsible for confusion, problems and also errors. This is why you need to be able to say clearly what you mean. You also want to be able to state clearly and honestly what you want.
 
Telephone skills and being able to hold a simple conversation are other important  skills that are necessary in the workplace.

Although I said above that written communication may not be so important anymore, when you want to enter the job market you need to be able to write reports and memos, as well as use email effectively. This means that your written communication is clear, business like and concise.

communication in the workplace is not restricted to just verbal and written communication. You now also need to be familiar with modern technology to communicate. This means you want to know how to use the workplace email program, the voicemail system, how to fax a document, and importantly you want to know how to use a wordprocessor.

If you want to get a job or get promoted you’d do well to improve your communication skills. Because employers now place a high prize on excellent communication in the workplace.

Communication in the Workplace – what employers are now looking for is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: business communication, communication in the workplace, communication skills, verbal communiation, written communication

Introducing Successful Communication For Business

By Kadence Buchanan

Whenever we face the task of writing a report, preparing a proposal, completing a staff study, or composing a business letter, we go through the same series of logical steps. First we recognize the problem and/or the purpose with which the message must deal. Then we plan the content of the communication to achieve our goal. Next we organize our ideas so that they will be presented in an order that is logical and psychologically effective. Later we have to write the first draft, which must be followed by careful editing. It is imperative to make sure that what we have written is stated clearly, completely, correctly, and concisely. Writing the final draft from the edited version then becomes almost a simple formality.

In sum, the planning step pays dividends to both the writer and the reader. A working outline gives the writer an agenda to follow in creating a clear, organized document. That outline, as translated into headings and paragraph beginnings, serves the reader as a road map for following the writer’s thoughts. The end result of such orderly sending and receiving is successful communication for business.

When we communicate, we attempt to transmit ideas. We select words, order them into sentences and connect the sentences to build paragraphs. The way business people handle those three elements largely determines how effective they are in making themselves understandable to others. Creating and maintaining high standards for written communication in the workplace is hard work on the part of the manager. But the effort is well repaid as subordinates begin to practice the same standards set by the manager. The alternative -simply letting poor writing go forward- backfires eventually on the bottom line, as clients, stockholders, and the public lose faith in a company that can’t communicate accurately and clearly. Effective written communications succeed in both rational and emotional ways. Skilled business writers convey and arouse feelings as well as communicate facts and ideas.

Every company, big or small, communicates to dozens of different publics. These publics are either internal or external to the firm: employees, suppliers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, customers, vendors, prospective purchasers, government agencies, community groups, educational institutions, and so on. Of the many types of written or printed communication forms, such as newspaper and magazine advertisements, direct mail pieces, telegrams, reports, and letters, it is certainly letters are used most frequently.

Our modern world of computer and electronic communication, like the Internet and the use of e-mails, has made a striking difference in our use of business letters, as information now can be send quicker and at less cost than in the past. But although the transmission of the business letter is changing, the essential act of sending a message from one person to another remains the same. Since one person is still communicating with another, it is important to be aware of and practice the basic principles of successful communication for business

By Kadence Buchanan

Communication For Business is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: business communication, business communication skills, communication for business, communication skills

According to Diane DiResta there are ten ways women sabotage communication in the workplace. Here is an ezine article that she wrote…

Have a read and let me know what you think by posting in the comments box on the left hand side of this page

By Diane DiResta

Glass ceiling or partners in sabotage? While the glass ceiling exists, very often women undermine their success by how they communicate in the workplace. We’ve learned to dress for success but have we learned the language of success? When Catalyst, a non-profit organization dealing with women’s issues asked.

What holds women back from top management?
Fifty-two per cent said Male stereotyping and preconceptions of women.

When they asked, How can women succeed?
Sixty-one per cent said Developing a style with which male managers are comfortable.  It seems communication style is vitally important.

Here are ten ways women weaken their image and what they can be do about it.

1. Too much head nodding-When women nod, they mean I hear you,
I understand.  Men interpret head nodding as agreement with their ideas.
Too much head nodding will be perceived as weakness and may result in miscommunication. Continual head bobbing creates a subliminal message of submissiveness.

2. Uptalk-A rising inflection at the end of a sentence sounds tentative, as if posing a question. This is a real credibility killer. Women will not be taken seriously with this vocal pattern. To speak with authority practice bringing the voice down at the end of a sentence. American intonation patterns use a downward inflection to declare or demand and a rising inflection to question or indicate uncertainty.

This is not true for all cultures. In Canada, India, Pakistan, France and China it is more commonplace to hear the voice rise at the end of a sentence. This pattern is sometimes used by American men in the South or by Generation X. It is not effective for either sex.

3. Weak Language
Tag lines-Some communicators make a statement and then ask for validation. This is a good idea, don’t you think? We have the best team, right? Tag lines weaken conviction and authority. Eliminate them.

Modifiers-Words such as some, just, only, hopefully, and guess, minimize the message and the messenger. This is just a thought. I’m only a beginner; Hopefully, I’ve done a good job; I guess I have a question, are weak statements. They signal a lack of confidence and tell the listener that its not very important. Constant apologizing is not appropriate and will have the same effect. Weed out wimpy words and replace them with powerful language. This is most commonly a female pattern.
time to sound confident and full of conviction.

4. Allowing interruptions-Men jump in and say what they think. They tend to interrupt more than women. Women are more likely to allow themselves to be cut off and lose credit for their ideas. Instead, they can say, I’m not finished, Please hold your questions,These interruptions break everyone’s train of thought or continue talking and finish your point.

5. Not speaking up (Waiting to be called on)-Still waters may run deep but in our business culture, people who don’t speak up are perceived as not knowing anything. Commit to making one contribution at every meeting. It may be as simple as underscoring a point or adding to what’s been said. Some women wait to be called on or have difficulty taking the floor. It may be necessary to interrupt to have your say. Do it. You must be heard to be a counted.

6. Dressing too sexy-A visual impression takes seven seconds or less. Clothing and appearance are a visual shorthand. Women who wear spiked heels, low cut blouses, heavy make-up, and micro-mini skirts are communicating sexual availability rather than career mobility. To succeed in the workplace, women must dress the part. You don’t have to sacrifice femininity, but don’t appear too flashy. The goal is to look professionally attractive. To achieve advancement, dress one level above your present position. If you are a supervisor, dress, like a manager. On the opposite end of the continuum, executive women may dress too frumpy. At senior levels it’s no longer what you know but who you are as a leader. If a woman executive doesn’t look the part, she’ll lose respect and credibility.

7. Too soft spoken-A soft or breathy voice may sound sexy but it indicates insecurity or lack of confidence. Breathe from the diaphragm and project the voice so that every person at the meeting can hear. If they have to strain to listen, they will tune you out. A speaker loses conviction when ideas are presented in a soft voice. Confident women project their voices.

8. Allowing others to take credit for ideas-A common complaint of women is that men take credit for their ideas. When this happens women must learn to speak up and claim their contributions. Excuse me, I just said that a minute ago. How is that different from what I just proposed? Do not sit quietly while someone intercepts your idea.

9. Weak Body posture-Cute gestures such as shrugging shoulders, not making direct eye contact, standing with one leg crossed at the ankle and a weak handshake will weaken ones visual impact. Men naturally take up more space. Hold your ground. Stand tall and sit up straight, make direct eye contact and ground your energy. Channel nervousness by using hand gestures about the waist. Act like you belong. You have a right to be there.

10. Avoiding public speaking. This is one of the biggest mistakes women can make in their careers. Men don’t have a glass ceiling. Public speaking is an opportunity for visibility and equal exposure. Confront your fear, get some coaching, and get out there and shine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_DiResta
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ten-Ways-Women-Sabotage-Communication-in-the-Workplace&id=992

So, What are your views on this ? I’m intrigued to discover your thoughts….

Ten Ways Women Sabotage Communication in the Workplace….. is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: communication in the workplace, communication skills, improve communication skills

Here are six tips for improving your communication style:

1.

Knowing how to improve communication skills will come easier once you become aware of your own communication style.

Each person has a unique way of communicating. Listen to your own speech. What sorts of words do you use? Which sort of body language and what tone of voice are you using? Now, think of someone who, in your opinion, is a good communicator. Compare your style to theirs. You’ve just taken an important first step in how to improve communication skills.

2. Now that you are aware of your own style, study the style of those around you. How do the most important people in your life converse? How do they say things? Look for approaches you can model and make your own.

3. Adjust to the other styles of communication. Don’t think it is too late to change your way of conversing because it’s been years. You had to learn to communicate in the first place and you can unlearn certain behaviors or change them. Sometimes we get stuck in a communication rut.A father once was having a hard time with his teenaged daughter. She was growing and he thought she didn’t tell him what was going on in her life. They were in a heated discussion when he asked, Why didn’t you tell me?Her answer was that she had, but he was too busy lecturing her to hear her. He learned that adjusting his style to his daughter would involve listening first before jumping right into solving the problem.

4. To build rapport, during a conversation try and match the other persons movements, posture and verbal style. Don’t do everything they do, but mirror one or two things. For example, if the person gives mostly short answers to questions, you follow suit.Or, maybe they talk at a slower pace than you usually do-slow your speaking speed to match theirs. This may sound simplistic but it is a very potent way to make someone feel very relaxed and comfortable in your presence.

5. The way you communicate at home may not be the same as in a different environment. Make sure you change your style to suit the different setting. Some comments you might want to tell your best friend, in private.Other things can be shared in a group setting. Learn how to improve communication skills by altering your style for the appropriate setting. Many of us know someone who offers far too much information in a group setting.

6. Dont criticize others for communicating differently. If we all communicated in the same way, we’d soon be bored with each other.Getting a good grasp of your communication style and finding ways to accommodate other peoples styles, is a good way to improve your communication skills.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: how to communicate

expert=Peter_Murphy
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Improve-Communication-Skills-and-Your-Personal-Style&id=149358

How to Improve Communication Skills and Your Personal Style is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: communication skills, communication skills training, improve communication skills, transforming communication

Everyone knows that effective business communication skills are a necessity for any successful manager. But what are the pitfalls of poor business communication skills by managers?

1. Lowered Efficiency

Poor business communication skills can hamper the efficiency of your company or department through vague emails that need to be clarified, rewriting of vital documents, and the inefficient preparation of speeches and presentations.

2. Low Employee Morale

Poor business communication skills demoralize employees by forcing them to sit through boring presentations and by providing them with unclear direction on projects. The monotony and confusion associated with poor business communication skills is a chronic complaint of employees everywhere.

3. Inability To Complete Large Or Complicated Projects

Business communication skills are essential to efficiently completing large and complicated projects. When multiple people or departments are involved in a project, the value of effective business communication skills increases exponentially.

Without the ability to clearly communicate project responsibilities and objectives, your organization’s projects will never get off the ground.

4. Lack Of Motivation

An often overlooked impact of effective business communication skills is how they serve to motivate employees. A collaborative and communicative environment fosters employee creativity and inspires them to action. In contrast, if your business communication skills are lackluster, your employees will drag their feet on their assignments and question the wisdom of projects.

5. Decreased Innovation

The inability to adequately handle current projects due to poor business communication skills will decrease any organization’s innovation. The ability to innovate is predicated on the ability to communicate tasks and outcomes and the ability to get things done.

Being a successful manager means having the ability to communicate with your employees and outside vendors and customers. Improving your management skills is really just a question of improving your business communication skills. All effective managers are, first and foremost, effective communicators.

By Matt Nadell

The 5 Pitfalls Of Poor Business Communication Skills For Managers is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: business communication skills, communication skill, communication skills, communication skills training

Communication in the workplace is essential for many reasons.

All of your planning and monitoring of business processes depend on your ability to convey the facts needed to get the task done . This can take many forms and may include modern electronic methods or a simple office circular .

What is crucial is that your meaning is comprehended by the recipient . Communication is based on telling people your requirements in a manner that the recipient can decode it and still know the exact meaning of what you said.

The Anglo saxon language is crammed with ambivalent words that can have numerous meanings depending on the context they are used in. It’s a bit like the childrens game called Chinese whispers. I’m sure that you can remember the hilarity when the message eventually got back to the original sender .

Children love this sort of game in business there’s more at stake .

So… How do you. know that your message has been understood in the way that you wanted it to be?

It’s easy …
Just ask !

By confirming that your message has actually been decoded in the way that you meant it to be ask the recipient of your email do they understand your meaning and the thinking behind sending it .

You can also train your teams or other business partners to actively listen to what you have said or written .

eg : You have just sent out an email to all of your team informing them that revenues are down and if the sales figures don’t improve then your financial targets won’t be met .

Active listening is where the person who gets your communication will reflect back to you what they understood about what you said .

” So, Mary , what you are telling theteam is that we have to increase our sales this month or we will be deep in trouble”

Your options are then to either clarify the message , If it isn’t received correctly or you can state that Yes that’s correct . The advantage of reflective listening is that all parties are clear right from the start and this will reduce lost time, later when you have to clean up any mistakes created by bad communication .

There are so many ways that you can have more powerful business communication.

Business Communication Skills – Because You need to Get That all Important Message across is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: business communication skills, communication skills training, effective communication

 Some of these companies|organizations|firms|employers|businesses] offer the benefit as they have the ability to pay for the entire premium on their own without the need to share the cost with their staff. Then again, as these are trying times throughout the world, most firms could no longer to afford to do this on their own. Even though they can’t afford to pay for the entire cost of the coverage, these employers pay for most of it because they don’t want their people to go without coverage. This is more than ever true for Prescription program

If you are an individual, family or business, there is a company available that is willing to offer you coverage. Just make sure there is a help with prescriptions built-in. The most affordable rates are very important to consumers as long as they get the coverage the desire. There are simple plans available to consumers but there are also very complex plans that are available too . Generally, the higher the premium the better the benefits. Prescription drug benefits are usually incorporated.

With job loss at an all time high, you should be aware that there are ways you can keep your coverage for up to 18 months. This is a rule that has been enacted in 1985 that is also referred to as the COBRA or the Congressional Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

It is very important that you explore all of the options that are available to you concerning your health medical insurance needs and also you prescription needs. A local health insurance agent can be a very big help when you are doing your research. Just make sure that you interview several before you decide on one. With this information you may be better organized to save time and money. If you go along with our suggestions you will be ahead of the game.

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Individual Healthcare Insurance Programs Which Include Prescription Program Assistance is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: help for prescriptions, prescription program, prescription program assistance, rx help

Prescription program can be found except you need to be suspicious concerning it’s source. While this may commonly be a point of argument among individuals, it is quite important to have a good group dental care insurance coverage especially for those with children. You can never tell when a simple toothache or a chipped tooth will happen. For citizens who would like to have their families covered, this is an basic way to safeguard themselves from potentially big expenses. This applies to your help with prescription too.

There are different forms of group dental care insurance policies that will be able to cater to any group’s preferences. There are some that offer the most basic needs and services while others offer more extensive coverage. Some of the basic policies will only cover the common needs such as check-ups, prophylaxis, simple fillings and extractions. More expensive programs cover the basics plus extractions, crowns, dentures and fillings. Some of the really expensive programs even cover braces and dentures. Whatever your prescription drugs needs are, there are policies that cover them also!

For your low cost medicine and dental care needs, make sure that you get all of your questions clarified.

There are numerous different places you could turn to for help. There are numerous firms that concentrate in this topic and of course you might generally look into area non profit companies and social services organizations.

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Dental Care Programs And Prescription Assistance Program is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: help for prescriptions, prescription program, prescription program assistance, rx help

In spite of the fact that workers say they might know how to get in good physical shape, many are not taking action to do so. Seventy two percent of the employees surveyed think that receiving regular preventive care will result in good health. An additional 84% think that making prudent decisions in their daily life will lead to overall good health. Only 46% of the employees surveyed reported doing a “great” or “good job” of regular working out and only about half of the workers think they do a “great” or good job” of eating healthy. To assist with the expensive prices of drugs, most workers surveyed ranked prescription program assistance very high. 

Involvement in health programs is low, but satisfaction is high. Workers and dependents say they know what actions they need to take to get and stay healthy, but participation in many employer-provided health enhancement programs is not as high as businesses would like. The most accepted programs include biometric screenings (61%), followed by online health information tools (53%) and health risk questionnaires (41%). The least popular programs were stress management programs and employee assistance programs. For workers that had dependent coverage, a prescription program was the number one satisfying benefit.

Financial motivation is a strong factor in participation but non monetary, internal motivators can be just as valuable. Many employers presume that offering cash incentives in exchange for participation will generate the best results and incent employees to participate in health care programs. Nearly half would complete a health-risk questionnaire (HRQ) without any incentive because it is “the right thing to do”. About 30% of the participants would complete a survey if there was a penalty for not doing so and an additional 30% would do it if there was a monetary incentive involved. In addition, 44% of the workers surveyed said they would be willing to participate in a wellness program offered by their employer because “it is the right thing to do”.

National Business Group On Health Survey On Health Care Is Revealing In It Is Findings is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: help for prescriptions, prescription program, prescription program assistance, rx help

Using business telephone systems for your business will not only improve the efficiency of your communication, but can also save your company considerable sums of money each year by utilisng what’s known as a VoIP phone, which allow you to make calls via the internet (as opposed to more traditional analogue or ISDN lines). This kind of phone line is usually much cheaper than the more traditional, widely used alternatives.

Before you can begin using this type of system for your own business, you’ll need to decide which kind of system you’re looking for, or which your business would benefit from the most. You’ll need to decide what kind of line you’ll want to use, whether you’re likely to scale it up in the future, how many handsets you’ll need, handset capabilities, etc.

In most cases, either a VoIP or an ISDN line will be most suitable for business, as they’re much better (and cheaper) than the traditional analogue lines found in most peoples’ homes. It’s tough to advise between these two types of line however, as you’ll need to take into account what type of business you run and how much voice or data traffic you’ll be dealing with on a daily basis.

You’ll also have to be aware of just how many lines you require. For most offices around the World, the general rule of one line for every three workers works perfectly well. If you handle a much higher volume of calls than your average office however, you might consider bringing down the number of workers per office line.

One plus side to using business telephone systems is that you’ll always be able to keep the same phone number, even if you move offices in the future. You can simply move over the existing number to a new system, or port the numbers to a new line. There’s no direct connection between lines and numbers with these systems, meaning you can move as much as you like.

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A Quick Guide To Business Telephone Systems is a post from: The Business Communication Blog

Technorati Tags: business telephone systems, Communication, telephone systems, VoIP phones