Communications Strategies in Business

 by Jenny Kettlewell

 Anyone in business will attest to the fact that effective communication is fundamental to ensuring the smooth day-to-day efficiency of an organisation. A business owner, in effect, needs to be all things to all people, and it is imperative that he or she has communications strategies in place across the entire network of the business. Just what kind of strategy is implemented within a company depends on the type of business and the structure of the organisation, but it is important to consider both internal, company-wide communications strategies as well as external.

Internal Communications Strategies

In order to run a smooth business it is vital that every department can run as its own entity, but can also operate within the larger network of the company. This means putting in place effective communications strategies at both departmental and managerial levels.

If the business is a factory or warehouse, most inter-departmental verbal communication will probably be via walkie-talkie style handsets whose main advantage is that of being mobile. Each staff member is then easily-contactable no matter where on the premises they are. If the business is an office or shop then communication will more likely be via traditional telephones with an internal extension system.

But ways of being able to be contacted verbally are not the only type of communications strategies needed for a business. To effectively manage administrational duties it is necessary of have a good procedural system in place which can be easily maintained by staff. This means regular staff training and head-of-department meetings to co-ordinate operations. If a breakdown of communication occurs at either of those levels it can result in serious consequences for the business.

External Communications Strategies

Good communication with suppliers and potential customers is vital to the profitability and success of a business. If you don't have the channels to effectively convey who you are, what you do and what you need, your business will almost certainly fail.

To set up a good line of communication with your suppliers, a good hint is to target a contact and deal with them on a more personal level. It is much harder to let down someone who they know as an individual than someone who is simply an anonymous voice on the end of the phone.  Building up relationships with all your important suppliers can be some of the most important communications strategies you will implement across your business network.

In any business your customers, or potential customers, are obviously the most important people in the world. But unless they know who you are and what you are offering them they simply won't exist. In today's world, one of the best ways to get your product or business out to your customers is via the Internet. A good, concise and clear website is an invaluable tool to being visible in a highly competitive market. A website not only allows you to speak to your customers, it allows them to speak back to you; opening a channel of communication that can be utilised to make future decision based on what your market wants rather than what you think they want.

Of course all communications strategies need to be maintained and, whether internal company-wide or external in your wider business network, keeping up with your competition means constantly improving and adapting your business methodology.



Jenny Kettlewell is the Marketing Manager for Multitone Systems, a leading telecommunications strategy  company. Multitone has implemented custom, integrated communications strategies for businesses and organisations in the public and private sector for over 75 years.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Communications-Strategies-in-Business/232813