For organizations, effective communication is critical for their employees to perform their duties and responsibilities efficiently. Free and uninterrupted business communication in a company results in higher employee engagement, better customer service and more profits. It has been shown that companies with connected employees are 25% more productive. To improve communication and be more productive, companies must have the right processes, tools and strategies to improve communication in the workplace.
Communication is an essential aspect of successful teamwork at the workplace. Here are twelve ways to improve communication in the workplace.
1. Impact of poor communication
Avoiding poor communication in the workplace is key. It has been estimated that communication barriers cost an average organization $62.4 million per year in lost productivity. Ineffective communication results in low morale, high stress, absenteeism and employee turnover. On the contrary, companies that invest in the right tools to improve communication in the workplace improve their productivity by 47%.
2. Disconnected apps
To improve communication at the workplace, organizations end up deploying multiple apps, creating information silos. On average, every employee juggles between 4-6 apps to get their work done. Switching between these apps alone is costing companies one hour of productivity every day. Apart from this, too many conversations across multiple platforms dilute the message resulting in poor quality communication. Avoiding disconnected apps is one of the best strategies to improve communication in the workplace.
3. Instant messaging
The accessibility and immediate possibility to talk to anyone at any time have made IM an integral part of the workplace. According to one report, in 2019, the number of worldwide IM accounts total over 7 billion. This figure is expected to grow at an average annual rate of about 6% over the next four years. Chat is now the second-most important activity after email. Together, they account for 5.5 hours of each employee’s workday. Encouraging instant messaging is one of the best ways to improve communication in the workplace.
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4. Effective email system
When it comes to business communication, email is still the most widely used tool. On average we read and compose at least 50-60 emails a day. One statistic points out that an average office worker spends 2.5 hours a day checking emails.
No doubt, emails will continue their supremacy even in the coming years. However, to make business communication more effective, emails should only be used when online chats are not possible. An effective email management system is key to improving communication in the workplace.
5. Audio-video tools
Audio-video tools are crucial for improving communication in the workplace. Visual communication facilitates effective collaboration between geographically dispersed workforce. Video conferencing supports telecommuting, which is growing by 103% every year. Organizations that are facilitating video conferencing and support telecommuting are witnessing an annual savings of $11,000 per person per year when workers work from home 50% of the time.
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6. Cloud tools
In the era of telecommuting, cloud technology allows two or more people from remote locations to collaborate at the same time and get things done. Cloud-based communication apps and storage tools allow people to collaborate effectively without location constraints. Though companies were reluctant to include cloud tools in their portfolio, due to security reasons, they are now realizing the benefits and usage of cloud tools are doubling every year. Subscribing for a cloud-based communication tool is one of the best ways to improve communication in the workplace.
7. Telecommuting
The tools that can facilitate effective communication between employees who work-from-home are in great demand. Though the current Covid global pandemic is one of the reasons, long-term telecommuting helps employees maintain work-life balance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 23% of American workers did at least some work from their home in 2017. One of the most defining tech trends of the past decade was telecommuting, which expanded by almost 400%.
Companies that don’t provide telecommuting options may fail to attract the best and young talent. Encouraging telecommuting is one of the best strategies to improve communication in the workplace.
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8. Organized communications
A McKinsey Global Institute study found that high-skill knowledge workers spend 19% of their average workweek searching for and gathering information. With the right tools you don’t have to rely on your memory to remember what was discussed or what documents were shared in a previous conversation. You can simply scroll up to see your chat history, including the documents and feeds shared with your boss and co-workers. The online tool that you use should handle all your communications in one place, so multiple conversations on the same topic don’t happen in different tools creating information silos.
9. Communication overload
Employees are also under constant pressure to be online and respond to messages to show that they are working hard and impress their bosses. It is said that you can quit social media, but you cannot quit your online chat. No doubt, business communication appears to be hijacked by so-called productivity tools. Too many channels and messages result in information overload and stress. Avoiding communication overload is an ideal strategy to improve communication in the workplace
10. Set clear expectations
Clear expectations are an essential part of communication in the workplace. Setting expectations helps employees to understand the goals they should strive to reach, as well as how their work contributes to the organization’s success. Setting clear expectations ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to project timelines, deliverables, goals and deadlines.
Having established expectations also helps managers to provide more detailed feedback and support employees in performing their tasks efficiently and effectively. Ultimately, making expectations clear promotes a workplace culture based on productive collaboration and understanding. It ensures that everyone is working towards a shared goal and can track progress with clarity, which benefits both individuals and the company as a whole.
11. Developing open mindset
Having an open mindset is key to fostering effective communication in the workplace. Embracing alternative perspectives and ideas helps to create an inclusive environment that encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Developing an open mindset encourages dialogue and problem solving. Taking the time to actively listen to each other’s perspectives helps cultivate deeper understanding among team members and leads to effective communication.
An open mindset also encourages employees to listen actively and respectfully, paving the way for deeper understanding among colleagues from different backgrounds and experiences. By being open to trying new approaches, companies can stay competitive, keep up with industry trends, and ultimately, succeed in their mission. Therefore, investing in developing open mindsets throughout an organization not only improves communication but also leads to increased productivity and lasting success.
12. Providing feedback
Providing constructive feedback is an essential skill for successful communication in the workplace. It allows team members to better understand the expectations of others. Taking a few minutes to provide feedback, such as explaining why a suggestion was not adopted or acknowledging an employee’s hard work, can build trust and increase understanding between coworkers.
Additionally, providing clear, timely feedback gives staff members an opportunity to learn from both their successes and mistakes while fostering collaboration on everyday tasks by looking at solutions from multiple perspectives. Ultimately, providing effective feedback in the workplace plays a significant role in maintaining productive relationships with colleagues and furthering organizational goals.
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The solution
The answer to most of the modern-day communication problems lies in a unified communication system that can not only reduce the noise but can also arrange all the conversations in a meaningful way, which can later be recalled at the click of a mouse. It takes good planning to understand how to improve communication in an organization. Clariti is one such tool that has been built on this premise.
Clariti helps avoid silos by allowing teams to collaborate on group discussions through subject chats, eliminating the need for separate channels and allowing everyone to stay organized. With context being kept at the forefront, this makes searching for specific bits of information unnecessary, saving time and improving overall productivity. Having a unified conversation ensures everyone has the same understanding and is able to move forward quickly with whatever project they’re collaborating on.
Conclusion
Clariti is a revolutionary communication platform designed to streamline communication in the workplace. When it comes to workplace communication, Clariti is a powerful tool that can help avoid silos and create a cohesive working environment. It eliminates the need for multiple channels, providing content-rich subject chats as a tool to convey information in their right context.
This saves time that would have otherwise been spent searching for emails or messages of key importance. In addition, it can greatly improve productivity and help teams stay organized and connected with its comprehensive features like email integration, voice calling, screen sharing and file sharing capabilities and ease-of-use. Clariti is an excellent option for companies looking to improve communication in the workplace. Try it now and see the difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are five 5 strategies to improve communication?
Effective communication is essential in any workplace. By learning to communicate effectively, you can improve your ability to build relationships, solve problems, and get your point across clearly and concisely. Here are five strategies to improve communication in the workplace:
1. Use a powerful communication tool like Clariti that combines all your communications from emails, chats, calls, documents in cloud storage, and to-dos in one app and links all related information in a Workspace. For every context, a new Workspace is created and all the relevant information is linked and stored automatically. Workspace not only makes communication faster, but it also eliminates the need to search for any information and the stress that comes with it.
2. Listen actively. When someone is speaking, really listen to what they’re saying. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk. Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice as well as their words.
3. Communicate clearly and concisely. When you’re communicating, be clear about what you want to say. Use simple language that can be easily understood. Get to the point quickly and avoid filler words or phrases.
4. Avoid making assumptions. Don’t assume that you know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Ask them directly if you want to know something. Making assumptions will only lead to misunderstandings.
5. Be open to feedback. Be willing to hear feedback from others about your communication style and use it to improve how you communicate with others. We can all benefit from improving our communication skills, so don’t be afraid to ask for help in this area!
How will you improve your communication skills?
Communication is key in any situation, whether you’re conveying information or trying to build a relationship. Unfortunately, not everyone is a natural communicator. If you’re looking to improve your communication skills, there are a few things you can do. First, learn to listen actively. This means giving the person your full attention and focusing on understanding what they’re saying, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.
Second, practice clarifying when you’re not sure you’ve understood something correctly. This shows that you’re interested in the conversation and want to make sure you have all the facts straight.
Finally, try to be concise and to the point when you’re speaking. Long-winded explanations can be difficult to follow, so focuses on communicating the most important information in a clear and concise manner. By following these tips, you can start to improve your communication skills and make a better impression in any situation.
How can communication be improved in the workplace?
Communication is key to any successful organization, yet it can often be a challenge, especially in the workplace. There are a number of things that can be done to improve communication in the workplace.
1. Use a powerful communication tool like Clariti that combines all your communications from emails, chats, calls, documents in cloud storage, and to-dos in one app and links all related information in a Workspace. For every context, a new Workspace is created, and all the relevant information is linked and stored automatically. Workspace not only makes communication faster, but it also eliminates the need to search for any information and the stress that comes with it.
2. Create an open and inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Encourage employees to speak up and listen to others with an open mind.
3. Make sure that there are clear channels of communication between managers and employees. Make sure everyone knows who to go to with questions or concerns. Finally, promote healthy conflict resolution by encouraging constructive feedback and open dialogue. By taking these steps, you can create a workplace where communication flourishes.
What are the tools required for improving communication?
Anyone looking to improve their communication skills should start by learning the basics of active listening. This involves paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, as well as taking time to understand the message that is being communicated.
It is also important to be aware of your own body language and tone of voice, as these can affect how your message is received. In addition, it is helpful to practice mindfulness in order to be present in the moment and fully focused on the conversation at hand. By taking the time to learn these basic communication skills, you will be well on your way to improving your overall communication skills.
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