From Where I Sit

View the entire video here or read the transcript below:

This week, we’re hitching our theme to what’s known as Better Business Communications Day, which is coming up on Monday, January 23rd. While this national recognition of improved business communications isn’t entirely focused on how business owners/managers interact with their elected officials, I’m going to offer you an invitation, or two, to try your hand at this type of communication.
 
This afternoon, Tuesday, January 17th, we will be hosting a Town Hall-style discussion with our Congressman GT Thompson (R- PA 15th) at 4:00 PM, in the Haddon Board Room of your Chamber Headquarters in Shamokin Dam. Later this week, on Thursday, January 19th, we’re expecting a ‘Stop in/Briefing’ with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) at 10:30 AM, here at your Chamber. Please know that you and your colleagues are warmly invited to come to either or both events. Feel free to brush up on your communications skills with these officials who represent us in Washington, DC.
 
Back to Better Business Communications Day, and why this event is so important. First, according to the folks who are hosting this day here’s a brief history of Business Communications:
 

 
The story behind this timeline is that effective business communications have a long history. The importance of concise, to-the-point communications in accomplishing its intended purpose is well established. A key point of emphasis behind effective business communications is that any losses that do occur can be minimized and potentially eliminated.
 
Here are three points on how your Chamber is suggesting we all take advantage of Better Business Communications Day.
 

1. Give the speaker your undivided attention…

• Don’t use your mobile phone, or constantly glance at your watch while someone is talking with you. Listen to them carefully. Remember how important eye contact is to effective communications.

2. Learn more and improve your communications…

• It’s never too late to learn better and different communications skills. Check into classes offered by the Bucknell Small Business Development Center, the Industrial Modernization Center at Penn College, our other higher and continuing education institutions such as SUN Tech, Susquehanna University, the Sunbury campus of Lackawanna College, and either the Watsontown (Greater Susquehanna) or Shamokin Centers of LCCC.

3. Listen to understand, not to be understood…

• Try to listen simply to understand. Resist the urge to always feel as if you must have a response. Focus more on what the person is trying to communicate. You will quickly notice that you’re hearing much more and understanding more clearly this way.

 
Finally, here are five facts for your consideration when it comes to good reasons for better business communications:

• Fact #1-Bad communications is proportional to turnover. Based on exit interviews, ineffective communications or the lack of communications is consistently mentioned as the top reason for why people leave an organization.
• Fact #2-Unopened emails. According the data mining firm, BlueSource, 206 billion emails are sent across the world daily. Only about a third of these emails are opened. Well written emails are opened at a much higher rate.
• Fact #3-$62.4 million in losses each year. A survey of the 400 largest firms in America, indicated that each firm estimated that they had lost an average of $62.4 million in the previous year simply due to ineffective and poor communications.
• Fact #4-in the same survey, these firms pegged a 19.2% increase in operating income thanks to highly-engaged employees as a result of effective and well-timed business communications.
• Fact #5-Trust. Over and over, customer surveys reveal that your customers are much more likely to trust a company who demonstrates accurate and effective communications than one that chooses not to communicate with them.

Your Chamber and its staff are standing by to assist you, as our valued member, with your communications. Are you looking for an effective, timely, and trusted business-to-business communications tools. If so, we have it for you. This weekly Elert gets distributed to over 1,600 of your fellow Chamber members. It’s open rate far exceeds industry standards, and it enjoys a click through rate three times what is typical.
 
Chamber staff post daily to nearly every conceivable social media platform. To maintain a high interest in these posts, we need your news. We have radio ads that blanket the air waves of our valley which we will happily share with you. Some television coverage, as well. Please keep in mind that our printed publications, The Voice of the Valley, Local Gems/Regional Riches, and our Member Directory/Resource Guide enjoy a broad distribution and readership as well as a ‘long shelf life.’
 
Together, our best days lie just ahead.