Resolving the problem of information flow is one of the most serious barriers of a growing SME. Upwards, downwards or sideways- all types of information flow is necessary in any business to keep the staff and customers motivated and clear about what is expected of them.

Most of the business organizations keep the customers informed about what they want to know. But the problem is that only few of them endeavor to create a functional two way channel of communication.

Research suggests that customers always like to be well informed and we cannot meet their satisfaction only by 'exclusive' communication. It is why SMEs need to expand the range of communication channels.

Some useful tips to improve the communication strategy of your company

1. Employee suggestion scheme: Despite being highly cost effective, it is most essential to improve the performance of an organization.

2. Customer satisfaction survey: It is another most important factor which helps to determine and improve the quality of your product or service as per changing customer expectations.

3. Corporate governance: It is responsible for establishing formal rules which determine the availability of information to employees and customers.

4. Business plan: Your business plan hints at the present situation of your company as well as as its future goals.

5. Annual report: It is to inform your customers and employees where your enterprises is and towards what it is heading.

6. Review meetings: Reviewing the strategies time to time helps to keep your employees motivated and make them feel that they can play crucial role in determining the future of your company.  

7. Planning meetings key suppliers/ customers: Planning meetings are necessary to keep your understanding of the customer/supplier requirements up-to-date.

8. Noticeboard and document storage: Availability of proper documents helps your staff to grab information about the operating procedures of your company while noticeboards play an important role in informing your employees about the company progress, social events and day to day happenings.

9. Website and newsletter: Your company website plays multiple roles in keeping your employees and customers well informed. Newsletters help to continue the flow of information.

10. Employment contract/code of conduct/disciplinary code/manual: Helps to make it clear to your employees what the company is expecting from them, what operating procedures are to follow, etc.

11. Customer complaint system: In any business, it is necessary to what problems the customers are facing. Solving these problems certainly boost sales and business reputation as well.

12. Public relations: It is a cost effective way to maintain contact with the market. A well organized public relation mechanism in your company can help you to grab a better understanding of our customers.

13. Appraisal & bonus: They help to motivate your employees and extract more of their potential.  

14. Maintenance training & development training: These type of training programmes help to develop team cohesion if provided in-house with case study/project content.

15. Face to face discussions: it is the best communication media to influence, persuade and motivate the listener.

Introduce more and more components in your communication mechanism and make the best use of the existing ones. Individual requirements for communication channels may vary person to person. Some may prefer individual contact, others require image while some other may like print. But whatever the media is, ensure that communication, which is legal, honest and decent,  is there- upwards, downwards, sideways and in every direction.