Successful businesses are a direct result of good collaboration inside the company. It applies to both small family businesses and mega-corporations. If there are any communicational issues present at the workplace, your business is likely to be stagnant for a while.
Of course, identifying the problem is only the beginning. You’ll need to work hard to find adequate ways to improve workplace communication at your company.
As this can be a difficult task, in this article, we’ve decided to help you out by sharing some simple improvement tips!
So, without further ado, let’s get to the bottom of it!
1. Talk to your employees
There’s nobody better to help you resolve issues at your company than your average employee. They’re the ones who experience the faults of the communication system every single day. They’ve certainly noticed these issues way before anyone else did, so it’s only natural to seek their assistance when trying to resolve these problems.
So, make sure to talk to them and try brainstorming some solutions together. They’ll be happy to oblige, as their jobs will become easier once the issue is fixed, and you’ll get the increase in productivity, so it’s a win-win situation.
2. Team-building exercises
Sometimes, the issue isn’t in the system itself, but it rather lies in the collaborative capabilities of your team. Not everyone is a born team-player, but anyone can become one if pushed in the right direction. That’s why many companies practice holding a variety of team-building exercises, helping their employees in learning how to collaborate better. Knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses is what’s crucial for better teamwork and higher productivity levels.
So, think of some fun and practical exercises that could help your employees work as a team. It may seem like a waste of time in the beginning, but you’ll soon notice the results.
3. Give feedback and clear information
As the company’s leader, you’re the person who sets the most important goals and objectives. So, you’ll have to convey these strategies to everyone at your company. There’s nothing more frustrating than being confused about what you’re supposed to do on your job. This is why you have to be as clear as possible when giving out tasks. Everyone should understand what their tasks for the day are.
Other than that, make sure you provide your employees with a lot of feedback. Make sure to share these observations in a constructive way, and never berate the employees for their mistakes. If they’re too afraid to ask for your advice, they won’t be able to perform well. You shouldn’t micromanage, but you have to be involved in the daily operations of your business.
So, break those communication barriers, and make your office a place where your employees feel free to share their thoughts and ideas.
4. Go digital
Investing in digital tools might be the best way to deal with communication issues in the workplace. For example, instead of holding meetings non-stop and keeping long e-mail correspondences just to get a task done, you should invest in digital signage software such as Indigo Workplace.
With this type of software, you’ll be able to make small and big announcements to all of your employees without having to hold a single meeting! Also, you’ll be able to provide your employees with constant training and educational materials.
The best part of it is that you’ll be able to do it all remotely and in no time whatsoever!
Alternatively, you can also get a VoIP system in your business for cloud-based communication. Let’s say your business is based in Vancouver. Find a local provider around Vancouver like B1 Communications to install a VoIP system into your workplace. With VoIP, you can reach out to clients and coworkers from far away countries. Pretty convenient for companies that have plenty of remote employees.
Of course, other than just digital signage, you can use many other types of software to your advantage: employee management apps, communicational platforms, and task management software!
5. Improve the HR department
Your HR department is there to resolve conflict and keep everyone comfortable in the workspace. If your employees aren’t able to trust your HR, you’ll certainly have a lot of communication problems.
Make sure to check on your HR from time to time, and keep them updated on the company policies. If you fail to do this, your employees will probably feel unsatisfied at their job. Employee morale is one of the most crucial things when it comes to company productivity. So, ensure your HR is a place where they’ll be comfortable sharing their issues and resolving internal conflicts. Your HR representatives have to be trustworthy, patient, and well-trained on the relevant corporate policies.
6. Reach out to your shy employees
Some people are simply too shy to share their ideas during company meetings. You can’t improve your company’s communication if you don’t include everyone, so keep an eye on those introverted employees.
You should engage them in a 1-1 conversation when they feel comfortable. Every single employee is a valuable asset to your company, so remember to approach everyone differently.
Your ultimate goal should be to create a comfortable, engaging work environment where everyone is able to showcase their talents and communicate their needs and goals. Once everyone’s on the same page, your entire company will begin to flourish.
7. Attend conferences together
If only the CEO and the upper management attend important business conferences, you’ll be missing an opportunity to improve your workplace communication! The more your employees know, the more they’ll be able to utilize for their daily tasks. In addition, attending conferences as a team can be a great way to open up communication and get to know each other. Learning more about the industry you’re all in creates space for new ideas and business development.
The bottom line
Internal communication is a crucial factor in running a successful business. Improving communication in the workplace is a lasting process: it can’t be done overnight, and there’s always room for progress.
Still, implementing digital solutions and creating a comfortable working environment for everyone is a good place to start. Your goal is to make everyone work as a team, so make sure to listen to their suggestions and ideas. A strong HR department and frequent team-building exercises can be your best assets in achieving productive business surroundings.
