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There are so many entrepreneurs nowadays, and more seem to be coming on the scene almost daily. Some have a desire to create change, others have been created due to change. The change may have taken place in some area of their lives that now they are forced to take stock and embark on the journey of business, and all that it entails.
How we communicate plays a bigger part in our businesses than we may take notice of, what do I mean? Communication takes place on so many levels.
Visual - How do we look? How do we conduct ourselves when we don't know we're being observed? [This includes our dress, our vehicle, our place of work, its cleanliness and other ambient elements that enable our businesses]
Spoken - When we speak, how do we sound to the listener? Do we sound like someone who can be approached with a question? Do we sound cordial, positive, alert, and polite or do we sound like someone others would rather not be around? [The spoken word also includes how we listen. Do we listen with empathy or just to respond?]
Written - There's nothing worse than spelling someone's name wrong. Actually, getting any of the information about the address incorrect is annoying. Yet many people do it all the time. Some customers are unforgiving and business is lost this way. On another point, technology today makes it easy to have your spelling and grammar correct, often highlighting your errors immediately. Written communication is lasting, take care in how you're represented there. Remember, if you don't know or are uncertain, it's better to ask for the correct information with verified spelling.
Elements we must consider:
Respect - Most of us like to be respected, however, have we checked ourselves to gauge if we are as respectful as we can be in our interaction with others? What are your conversations like? Can we interact with members of our teams and customers without being lewd, crude, or making other inappropriate remarks. Sometimes saying things out of jest can cost you a loyal customer/employee. What standards to you have with regards to social interaction. Someone may have to give you their private details in the your line of work, it doesn't mean that you use that information for private gain/access to that individual.
Tone - Warm, caring, conversational, conscientious/cold, aloof, distracted, unfriendly, hostile. Which of those characteristics you would want to experience when interacting with someone? They often feel the same way but we may not be paying enough attention to the tone we are sending out to others. Whatever your role in the organisation, we must be aware of the tone we are conveying.
Cordiality - How many people do you know functioning with a sincere kindness nowadays, I know quite a number. Perhaps you do too. However this quality seems to be taken for granted among many. It would seem that businesses seldom acknowledge this as a useful quality that people should have within their organisation.
Use of language - It was once said and heard, anytime you have room in your language for expletives, then you have room in you mind to learn more vocabulary. We're doing ourselves a gross injustice by allowing such a behaviour to become part of our culture and it limits one's ability to adequately describe what they are experiencing without being crass. Surely with the myriad opportunities for education available we can and should become more sophisticated in our communication.
Protocol - If you have manners and respect, then you'll go into places that people with money will never be able to go. Do you take the time to learn the customs of others? Learning and understanding people is key. What may mean one thing in your culture may convey a different meaning in another. This can go from behaviours all the way through to the use of words. Did you know there are offices in your country that provide guidance on the protocol for countries around the world? If you are serious about doing business internationally, do not skimp on this. Have access to people who know the language and customs of various territories. Doing so will make a world of difference to you and your organisation.
Thoughtfulness - Deep down in every person is the craving to be appreciated. When was the last time you showed someone you cared without hoping for something in return? Have you recently read anything to enhance your skills of interacting with other people? Have you ever evaluated your behaviour? Though it is said with some measure of accuracy that you can't change anyone else; you can change yourself. Become the best representation of yourself that you can be, and perhaps you'll see others in a more positive light. They may even seem more thoughtful to you. Don't take anyone for granted - you smile, friendly hello, warm greeting may be the only feeling of appreciation they have received all day. Remember they sometimes don't even get expressions of thoughtfulness from their own families.
As a social scientist, it is interesting to observe people, fascinating to listen to them, and fulfilling to educate them. Being in business development helps me to get insights in to companies that many others would not; and certainly not in the level of detail that may be exposed to me. I am Richie B., I live in Barbados and can serve around the globe. Thank you for stopping by.