6 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

to tell them to do it?

On a day-to-day basis as the business owner your staff will look at you for direction and will require you to keep them informed and reassured that they are working for a good company that is going places. Employees enjoy supporting a company when they know what the mission and goals are and they also know how their contribution fits within the larger scheme of things. My view is that you communicate your mission, vision and goals often enough and show by example how that works in practice.

To make sure you stay in touch with your staff and your customers, it may be useful to do an annual survey. Especially if you have experienced a period of growth percetions both internally and externally about the company may need to monitored to make sure you are still in touch with your client base and your staff. Often the best improvements to your service and product come from the users, so communicate with them in a planned fashion at least once a year.

With modern technology newsletter and blogs can be an inexpensive way to communicate what you do and what you want people to know about you and your company. For a small company it may be a great and time-efficient way to let the community, local press as well as clients and employees know what is happening. A monthly newsletter is good if you manage to send it every month, if you are unsure whether it is possible to do this once a month then go quarterly, but don't make promises that you are not able to keep. Blogs again are useful, however you need to control the replies and additions that come in, because what started out as a great positive contribution about your business could end up shedding light on the things you don't do well yet. Equally inviting feedback on products and services this way is useful, but very public.

Communication for a small business is essential, in my view you cannot communicate often enough; however you need to choose your target audience and the message you want to hear. If you communicated effectively they will do what you need them to do, which means that you can look at action to be your measure of success in communication.

Learn more about this author, An Coppens.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to develop effective business communication practices?
We want to hear your view. Write now!