If you want to find out what a successful business feels like, look no further than how effectively they communicate. And since technology is changing all the time concerning the transfer of information and the influx of new tools, staying ahead of the curve is your best bet to gain competitive advantage.
A few of the tools and techniques you can utilize to communicate within your professional circle effectively include virtual whiteboards, focused text messages, face-to-face meetings, and project management tools that incorporate an entire ecosystem of communication.
Virtual Whiteboards
Using virtual whiteboards is one of the best things that you can do to get everyone on the same page at the same time, regardless of where they are located. Virtual whiteboards can be accessed through desktops, tablets, and cell phones, and are one of the best ways that everyone has real-time feedback loop about how ideas are moving around inside a project. There is a small learning curve to learn how to interact in a virtual environment, but once everyone has the hang of it, business decisions will be made more quickly and with greater competence.
Text Messages
Text messages aren’t just for individuals talking to each other about what’s on the grocery list. You can use text messages for business whenever you don’t need to make a direct phone call or don’t require the utilization of a longer email. As long as everyone understands the basic etiquette for sending business text messages back and forth, it is one of the brutally most efficient ways of getting the point across instantly. Because you can also link to attachments or other articles, this is an excellent way to archive tidbits of information flow as well.
Face-To-Face Meetings
For as much technology as is out there to facilitate effective communication, using face-to-face meetings during company hours is still going to be a primary function of having a brick-and-mortar office building. The tremendous amount of information is communicated through body language, facial expressions, and vocal tone, and face-to-face meetings are the only way to have all of these elements present. Just make sure the meetings have a plan because they can be the worst time waster ever if they don’t stick to a schedule.
Via Project Management Tools
There are some incredible project management tools out there with things like ibm as400 support software that make effective communication a no-brainer as well. Once everyone installs the software, not only will there be something like a virtual whiteboard available, but all of the internal communication between employees and managers will be archived and easily searchable manner as well. The more practice your entire team has with project management tools, the more your goals will seem within reach.
