On-line Masterclass

Take responsiblity - the time you take to research and prepare your message is time well spent. Getting your message wrong, having it misunderstood, misheard, or worse still - ignored, benefits no-one. In business today the ability to communicate well is a key management skill and cost effective tool.

Clear English - use clear or Plain English writing. It is a valuable image-enhancing and money-saving tool in creating better communications. Messages, which are friendly, informative and easy to read, are more easily accepted.

Line one - page one - whatever your message or information aim to get the central point across from line one, page one. With so much information around the window of opportunity - while your audience decides if your message is for them - is frighteningly small.

Tune in - you, as the author of the message, are responsible for its successful delivery. Show that you understand the hopes, sensitivities and fears of your audience. Be aware of the role of emotion in how your message is received and understood - or not. Sometimes your audience may mishear or misunderstand what is being conveyed. Worse still, they might reject the message outright because the dislike or distrust the sender.

All staff - better communications involve everyone in your organisation from the vital commitment of senior managers through to that important first contact of your front line staff. They all need to know the key messages that you want to convey. Remember that internal communications are as important to your business success as external communications.