Read
Communicate for Enhanced Profits
by Bob Irish
Published in CEO-IQ, Volume 3, September 2003
Two significant factors affecting a company’s bottom line are what the CEO communicates and how it is communicated.
Important to the success of any growing business is the CEO’s style of communicating with words and actions what is deemed to be most important. CEOs communicate in a myriad of ways: verbally, non-verbally, with action, non-action, and so on. Thoughtful CEOs will always be aware of their style of communication and the kind of messages their public is receiving from them.
The cardinal rule for CEOs is "Consider what your words and actions communicate."" Do they reflect your corporate culture and demonstrate respect for your company’s value system? Do your words and actions make it clear that you value your employees and their suggestions?
If most of the organization can answer the following five simple questions without hesitation, you are communicating well and your company can avoid experiencing the confusion and employee dissatisfaction that erodes the company’s bottom line.
Why am I here? Employees need to know the company’s goals and understand what their contribution to those goals is.
What do my supervisor and teammates expect of me? Everyone should understand priorities (not just schedules and profits) and the factors for winning the big order or launching the new product, and their part in its achievement.
How am I performing? Employees must know how their work is measured or they will think it is not important enough to be measured.
If I am performing inadequately, where do I go for help? If they are having trouble learning a new skill or task, they need to be unafraid to ask for help.
What’s in it for me? This is not about money. Your employees need to feel their work is recognized and appreciated and that they are contributing to something significant.
Every year, billions of dollars across America either make it to the bottom line or are silently eroded, based on how much thought the CEO gives to communication. Clear communication is an easy way to enhance profits.
More articles...
