By Kara Masterson
It’s often said that communication is the heart of business, This is especially true of new businesses. Ensuring that everyone is on the same page is essential, especially in the early days of starting your company. Here are three tips for improving your new business communication.
Email and Messaging
While nothing will ever fully replace phone calls and mail, computers have revolutionized communication. Businesses often rely on email, and setting up a server can ensure that employees can pass messages to each other quickly and archive information they receive. Messaging clients also provide a robust means of communication that can improve your company’s workflow. It’s also important to ensure that your IT hardware and software infrastructure is secure, so make security a top priority when implementing your in-office communication systems. Systems like Landesk can help you make sure you are getting the type of security you need. Make sure that you take time to do your research so that you can find the best possible system for you.
Make Communication Comfortable
Too often, employees are scared to discuss potential issues with managers. Sometimes, employees are worried about embarrassing their bosses, which can lead to inefficient communication. Encourage employees to speak up, and thank those who are willing to discuss problems they have. Make sure communication is a two-way process in your office by inviting employee input during meetings typically reserved for managers. Employees can be great resources for managers, and they often have valuable insights about how the business can operate more efficiently. Make sure your employees feel empowered and feel a sense of ownership with your business. Fortunately, it’s often easier to encourage this type of communication at new businesses compared to established ones.
Collaborative Work
Email and messaging are great platforms for communication, but they largely replicate non-digital solutions. Collaborative tools, on the other hand, provide new means of working together. Instead of passing a document between employees, use collaborative tools that let multiple people work on the same document simultaneously. These tools typically note who made changes, and they make reverting changes simple. It’s often said that actions speak louder than words, and turning to collaborative office software lets employees demonstrate their ideas live instead of sending memos back and forth. Cloud-based collaborative tools also let employees access information while away from the office, which can help ensure that they come to work prepared.
Communication is essential, but new businesses owners and managers sometimes become caught up in small details instead of focuses on the big picture. Make sure your company places a high priority on communication, as it can lead to more efficient work in the early days, when resources are often limited.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
