Effective Communication Requires Common Sense, Discipline

Communicating effectively in business–whether when networking, using social media,interviewing for a job or presenting to colleagues in the boardroom–is pivotal to professional success. Susan Young of PR Daily recently outlined 99 ways to improve your business communication (http://linkd.in/nGHxhi). Here are 20 of Young’s recommendations that as communicators we should always be mindful of:

• Believe body language. It doesn’t lie.
• Choose your words carefully.
• Speak and write with clarity.
• Read whenever possible; it expands your vocabulary.
• Avoid interrupting people.
• Make all important phone calls before noon.
• Focus conversations on other people, not yourself.
• Weave names into conversations. Everyone’s favorite word is their own name.
• Insert silence and pauses into your speeches and conversations. They are more powerful than words.
• Write to express, not to impress.
• Engage your listener, reader, and audience with material that is clear, concise, and compelling.
• Ask good questions and you’ll get good information.
• Use the “P-R-R” method when answering questions: Pause, Reflect, Respond.
• Follow the 5 Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (public speaking).
• Improve your communication skills by observing positive role models you admire and respect.
• Show value when reciting your “elevator speech.” Focus on the results you get for others, not your job title.
• Be relevant and memorable.
• Look in the mirror before you go into a meeting.
• Give all of your attention to the person who is speaking. Avoid distractions and “darting eyes.”
• Stay on message.