In today?s world, there are communication tips everywhere - in newspapers, on
television and on the web. Why? That?s easy, because communication goes to the
very core of our existence. We need other people to survive. In our personal lives, we
need friends, spouses or significant others to enrich our lives. In business, we need
people too. Your customers, employees and vendors all combine to interact with you
and make up the network of your company. What you say to these people and how
you say it determines how successful those relationships and ultimately your company
will be.
As a small business owner, you have a unique advantage over owners of larger
companies or corporate CEOs. You have a much closer proximity to your customers,
employees and vendors. Often times you are even face-to-face with them rather than
six (or more) degrees away such as those in larger firms. This means that your word
is a valuable commodity that if used to its fullest can benefit you a hundred-fold.
Making the most of this valuable commodity ? your word either spoken or written ? can
be accomplished by asking yourself three simple questions:
Is it Relevant?
• Is your message relevant to the audience it is intended for? If you are sending
the same message to everyone without differentiating it based on their
relationship with you, your message may be lost or worse, perceived negatively.
For example, new customers probably need a somewhat different message than
existing customers.
• When you adjust your message by audience it says you understand their needs
and value them, an especially important aspect in both customer and employee
relations.
Is it Concise?
• As a small business owner, your time is valuable to you. The same can be said
of your customers. They have a constant overload of information coming at
them. Make your communications succinct but impactful and memorable.
Is it Honest?
• A man is only as good as his word, so the saying goes. Honest
communications go a long way in building trust because they show your
integrity. Your integrity can be as important as the capital you raise for your
business because without either one there?s no way to grow.
• Don?t promise what you can?t deliver ? always deliver what you promise.
The way you communicate within and without your business can differentiate you from
your small business competition and the larger players in your industry. Take the time
to make this simple but valuable commodity work for you by using these three questions
to improve your communication style.
Copyright 2009 ? Mary Crotty

Author's Bio: 

Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, I am one of the rare native Charlotteans, as my city has experience tremendous growth from people moving here from other parts of the country. I’ve always loved writing and creating stories, a hobby I took with me to UNC-Chapel Hill where I earned a BA in economics but spent my most treasured moments in literature and history classes, especially those related to Russia and the Soviet Union. The majority of my professional career was spent as a communications project manager at Wachovia National Bank (and its predecessor First Union) where I developed all internal communications for a 400+ employee division that focused on small business lending. Eighteen months ago, I made the leap into an independent career as a freelance business writer. Along with my partner, Kelly Buckley, we created The WordSlingers as a resource of effective communications and expert content for small to medium sized businesses. Every week we provide communication tips, success stories and more on our blog at www.TheWordSlingers.blogspot.com and on a monthly basis we deliver a more in-depth article related to business communications at www.TheWordSlingers.com.