{"id":15136,"date":"2015-06-09T17:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T17:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=15136"},"modified":"2024-10-25T04:35:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T04:35:47","slug":"10-communication-skills-for-business-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/in\/blog\/10-communication-skills-for-business-success\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Must-Have Communication Skills for Business Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does it take to run a successful business? Some people tell you it\u2019s the art of identifying and seizing an opportunity\u2014the union of preparation and luck. Some say preparation and education best prepare people for the rigours of the business world. Still others claim it\u2019s all about connections. But none of them offer the whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s one major element that\u2019s essential: effective communication. Indeed, strong communication, more than any other factor, may be the leading predictor of business success. In some way or another, communication contributes to all those other factors. Communication helps us learn about new opportunities, manage our education, and ultimately maintain and cultivate important connections. But it also helps within a business; with employees, customers, and shareholders; and in virtually every other aspect of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an economy where 80 per cent<\/a> of new businesses fail, every step of the process counts. Here are some key ways to review and improve your business communication and make sure you\u2019re making the most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Give people what they want<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t about telling people what they want to hear, though that\u2019s a part of equation. Really, it\u2019s about knowing how to talk to people. In other words, organise your communication so you reveal the information that\u2019s most important to your audience first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally talented speakers do this automatically. It makes sense to organise a list with the most important information at the beginning, where it is most likely to be noticed. Imagine an inverted pyramid: the key information is at the top (which makes your case stronger) with supporting information arrayed below. The art of correctly gauging your audience\u2019s priorities and adjusting your speech on the fly to better accommodate it takes more subtlety. Politicians on the campaign trail face this challenge regularly. They never know who will come to public events or what impromptu questions they\u2019ll get from citizens and reporters. Imagine your customer as a critical reporter: Make sure all of your communication emphasises what they care about most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Learn some quick problem-solving strategies<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may think this goes without saying, but it\u2019s worth repeating: Problem solving is an indispensable part of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Problem-Solving Checklist <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These fixed steps provide structure to any process, and are extremely important when communicating how to deal with problems in case you aren\u2019t there to do it personally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n