Digikredit Finance Pvt Ltd | 20 Apr, 2018
Communication is the bedrock of efficient and
effective business. Every interaction is an opportunity to present
your idea or point of view to the other person. With the vast range
of communication mediums, it can sometimes be easy to just say what
you need to without pausing to check whether the right message or
thought has been conveyed.
Here are 5 dos and don'ts that every
professional working with an SMEs in India
needs to master to be able to communicate effectively and
effortlessly.
-
Do
be clear and direct
The first rule of effective communication is to be
clear and direct in what you intend. Whether it is spoken or written
communication, the key point is to keep it simple. Don’t beat
around the bush and reduce any possibility of ambiguity. Don’t
leave any margin of error that could make the receiver misunderstand
your message. Check whether everyone is on the same page as you
intended. Skip acronyms if there is a chance the receiver might not
get the meaning. Being clear in your communication comes especially
handy when making an SME loan
presentation to investors or a financial institution.
-
Do
paraphrase
When in doubt or when faced with the possibility
of misunderstanding, talk it out. Paraphrasing ensures that you
clarify what is being spoken about. This gives the speaker the
feeling of having your attention and that you value what has been
communicated. When you echo the same thought as has been expressed,
you can be sure that the speakers involved in the conversation are
not at cross-purposes. You can initiate paraphrasing by saying ‘So,
if I understand correctly, what you are saying…’ or any other
variation of the same.
-
Have
face-to-face conversations
Technology is tempting, but do not rely on it
implicitly. Communication is intended to make things clear, and your
initial communication could have follow-up questions which are easier
(and faster) tackled face-to-face. There is also the added benefit of
non-verbal cues such as expressions, tone of voice and body language
which collectively make your communication more effective.
-
Don't
monopolise the conversation
Communication is a two-way process. If you insist
on being the only one to state your point, then you not only
disrespect the other person in the conversation, leading to annoyance
and the feeling of being not important, but you could also miss out
on important points that the other person has to add to the topic
being discussed. Cultivate the habit of listening as well as talking.
Some of the best and most effective communicators are those who
listen more and talk less.
-
Don't
interrupt
This is a follow-up of the above point. Allow
every person in the room to get their time to talk. A meeting has
been called so that everyone working on the project gets to
contribute to the discussion. Colleagues and employees alike will
feel slighted if they are constantly interrupted or not given a
chance to speak their mind.
An effective and confident communicator is one who
allows people to state their point or present a counterargument
without interrupting or silencing their voice.
*This article is contributed by Digikredit
Finance Pvt Ltd , an NBFC, which operates under the name
SMEcorner
