Very few businesses offer business communication training for their employees, and even fewer employees are aware their communication abilities influence corporate advancement opportunities.  So there’s a catch 22 in place for most employees hoping to advance their career within their chosen industry.

So here’s some business communication training tips for you the employee or for a corporate trainer looking for some additional insights.

Business Communication Training:

Step one in business communication training is to announce the importance of effective workplace communication.  (If you’re not the corporate trainer, visit the workplace communication post, to learn more information tailored to an employee.)This can be done in a company-wide email that states a new initiative to become better communicators among co-workers, teams, and departments.

Step two in business communication training is to gather employees who you feel do a good job of influencing others, whether in sales or leadership, and have them create a list of what makes them successful in communicating.  This list will be used to create an internal training document.

Step three is to create an actual business communication training document using the insights you’ve gathered from your top employees.  Also, do some research online to find the general business communication techniques being taught today.  You’ll see that the only information offered is generalities that most people should already know.  The really good insights always cost money and are sold by consultant firms.  The good thing is that your top communicators at work will have generated you a list of the best techniques for free.

Now on to step 4.  Business communication training is of itself an ongoing learning process.  With the information you have gathered, you’ll be able to begin sharing it with others around you.  Create focus groups who are led by the top communicators in the company.  Make the groups a discussion on effective communicating techniques.  Open the meeting with the techniques you’ve discovered to work well, and then have all others share what they use to influence and persuade others.  Take good notes on what everyone says as there may be some gems of information shared.

Business communication training will be an ongoing process that will need to be developed over time.  After a few months of having dedicated meetings to discuss communication, you will soon have a solid business communication training packet for the whole company.

Improving your workplace communication can reap huge benefits.  Not only will you create stronger relationships, but you put your career path will begin to skyrocket.  On the opposite, poor workplace communication can lead to limited growth opportunities and negative interactions among co-workers.  Below are recommended processes for you to use to develop good workplace communication.

Building Workplace Communication:

The first step is the create opportunities to speak to others in-person. It’s much easier to effectively communicate speaking to each other face to face.  This allows the participants to better understand the message being presented and to also read and interpret the body language of the speaker. Workplace communication depends heavily on understanding the full message which is best achieved through direct meetings.   Personal contact is important. People relate to one another better when they can meet in person.  The second best option would be to use the phone.  That way the option to at least hear the tone of voice is available.

The second step is to develop a network of connections at work.  Most organizations have many different departments.  Depending on your position, you could benefit greatly by making friends across all areas of your company.  Not only will this form of workplace communication give you resources to solve issues in your own department, but it will also create opportunities for advancement with other areas of the business.

Next, it’s important to remember that courtesy and consistency goes a long way.  Simply saying “Thank You” to everyone you meet and work with will separate you from the average worker. There is much power in workplace communication through the small actions of gratitude.  Additionally, being consistent in your messaging will allow others to get used to your form of speech and communication.  This will eliminate wasted time by others who are confused by your meaning in emails and other written correspondence.

Most importantly, workplace communication is critical in diffusing conflict.  The best question that quickly resolves interdepartmental and even person-to-person issues is, “What is best for the company?”  You’d be amazed how a conversation changes when this question is asked.

Lastly, workplace communication is a two way street.  People won’t be interested in chatting with you if you never have anything of value or interest to share.  It’s true that boring people exist, but they’re only boring to others who don’t share the same interests. If your wanting to progress up the corporate ladder, it’s important to be able to carry a conversation with others on almost any topic.  This may require you doing some study so that you are current on the industry you work in, and even the out of work interests your co-workers enjoy.

Following these workplace communication processes will greatly add to your value at work and will provide new opportunities for advancement.  You’ll soon be grateful for the new techniques you’ve gained through your dedication to being one who communicates well at work and in life.

To your success!

Businesses often talk about requiring more communication training.  Effective communication is a necessity both internally and externally for an organization.  Unfortunately, most communication training programs are very expensive to attend.  So businesses are unable to provide this training for all of their employees.

Studies have shown that individuals who are have received some level of communication training also receive above average salaries within their workplace.  This is not only due to their negotiation abilities during the interview, but also their ability to demonstrate their value and expertise.

To help the common employee like you and me, we’ve listed the most powerful communication training teachings being offered today.  Read each process carefully, and take time to think about how you can implement them in your daily lives.

Communication Training:

The first step in communication training is to check our listening skills.  How can we respond correctly, and persuasively if we don’t hear the message in the first place. It’s crucial to display acknowledgment that you’re receiving the message, plus that you are displaying the correct body language.

In our daily discussions and meetings, those involved can tell who is attentive and willing to participate. Being able to show genuine interest towards others, will also help you to achieve more with them, and even make more money at work.

The second step in communication training is to provide your opinion on the matter.  Most of us are afraid to say what we think.  You’d be amazed how valuable your opinion actually is.  You have great experience to share with others, and having the desire to do so will help you become a better communicator.

Most of the greatest ideas brought to fruition have been generated through the discussion of groups of people who aren’t afraid to share their insights and opinions.

The third communication training technique is to have a peace of mind. Most people feel apprehension and uneasiness about having to talk to others. If you feel at peace within yourself throughout the day, you won’t be concerned about what others think about you.  This will allow you to be yourself and to let your talents be shared more naturally without concern.

The last communication training process is to “get focused.” Being focused throughout your day makes your mind sharp and in tune with what is being accomplished by those around you. You also have more ability to provide helpful solutions to problems and challenges.

These are just communication training insights that business consultants charges lots of money to teach.  Be sure to not that all communication training results eventually are the responsibility of the student.

To your success!

Having good listening skills can be on of the most important traits to possess within both your personal and business world. The quality of your listening skills directly correlates to the impact and enjoyment you create among both personal and business relationships.  What we pay listen to through out the day usually revolves around obtaining information, understanding concepts, having fun, and communication.

The stats around the amount of information we intake each day are astounding.  From music, internet, TV, talking, etc; you would think that we would be superb listeners.  But sadly we are not.  In fact, we only remember 25-50% of what we hear each day.

That means that you will only remember 25-50% of an important discussion with your manager, and even your spouse!  Hopefully, the small percentage that you do remember contains the most important point from the conversation!

Obviously, improving your listening skills can bring you a great return. Being a better listener will increase your productivity and more importantly, your ability to persuade and influence those around you.  Additionally, having great listening skills helps you to avoid any conflict and misunderstandings.

To do this, you need to pay attention to the other person, noticing not only what they say, but what they don’t say.

Strong listening skills includes understanding the body language of the person speaking to you. Many times you’ll get more out of a message sent through body language versus the actual words being spoken. So listening skills goes beyond just hearing the words, it includes seeing what is being said as well.  You cannot allow yourself to become distracted by what else may be going on around you, or by forming counter arguments that you’ll make when the other person stops speaking. Nor can you allow yourself to lose focus on what the other person is saying. All of these barriers contribute to a lack of listening and understanding.

To enhance your listening skills, you need to acknowledge to the other person that you are indeed taking in and understanding the message they are sharing.  Simply nodding the head, or replying “uh huh” are the most common techniques to show that you are focused on what is being said.

There are five elements for having good listening skills. They help you ensure that you are receiving the other persons message correctly.

1)      Pay attention to what is being said.

2)      Show that you are listening to what is being said.

3)      Give feedback to the person speaking.

4)      Refrain from judging the message until it is fully expressed and understood.

5)      Respond with the appropriate words and body language.

Following this elements will greatly improve your listening skills.  Make a goal to raise your level of listening skills today.  Effective listening skills will add more value to you as an individual and even as an employee.

Additionally, be sure to share your knowledge with friends and family.  They will benefit from the experience you have gained.

To Your Success!

A Blog is a website created by an individual who posts frequent entries of personal commentary describing events, topics, suggestions, advice, video, and more. Most blogs are a representation of it’s authors interests and opinions regarding an endless range of information. Most blog entries are done in reverse-chronological order and are customized with unique color schemes and layouts.  Additionally, many people use the term “blog” to refer to the actual process of posting content online.


Many blogs provide comments or news on a particular subject such as fashion, celebrity gossip, finance advice, sports, and more.  Most blogs are of a personal diary function with posts of family related material.

Most typical blogs merge text, images, and links to relevant material related to the overall theme of the blog itself.  Blogs have the ability for it’s readers to leave comments thus creating an interactive environment for all involved.

It’s very simple to create a blog.  Below are instructions to creating your own blog.  Have fun!

Blog Types

Questions:

1) Using your own words, describe what a blog is.

2) What are the most common types of blogs?

Application:

1)      Find an example of each type of blog you listed above using Technorati (The leading blog-only search engine) or Google Blog Search.

Write down the website addresses for each blog you find.

2)      Using Technorati find some topics/blogs that seem interesting to you.

Write down the website addresses for some of the blogs you like.

3)   Create your own blog.

a) Here are the top blog platforms being used today.

www.blogger.com (free), www.wordpress.com (free)

www.typepad.com (paid) www.squarespace.com (paid)

The free blog platforms are a great starting point.  You are able to get a blog active on the internet within a matter of minutes.

The paid blog platforms offer much more tools and design options for customizing your blog.  Payments are monthly and are as low at $4.75/month.

My personal recommendation for your first blog would be to use www.wordpress.com.

b) Sign up with one of the blog platforms mentioned above.  Each platform has a very intuitive instructions/help section.  Make sure to refer to them frequently.  They provide common methods for blogging online.  Here’s Wordpress’ getting started tutorials – http://support.wordpress.com/getting-started/2/.

c) Below are recommend  blog guidelines

1) Have a purpose to your blog, such as being an authority in your industry, or simply making your skills and experience known to the world.

2) Balance the blog writing between personal and business topics.

a) Personal – write about your hobbies, interests, and what you do with them.  Many write about their favorite sports team, their kids activities, and their involvement with personal projects etc.

b) Business – write about your involvement within your career/industry.  Comment on current events related to your work, post your opinions and suggestions.

3) Write frequently, at least weekly.

“I sincerely believe blogging can save America.” – John Jay Hooker