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Effective Business Communication Tips

Written by: Glenn Ebersole

Article Overview: Do you consider yourself to be an effective business communicator? Have you honed your skills when communicating via E-mail and voice-mail messaging, in addition to the more traditional formal business writings? Could you use a little help improving the effectiveness of your business communications in each of these forms? Regardless of how you responded to my questions, I am going to say that I believe each of us can always use some help in improving the effectiveness of our business communications. And I want to assist you and guide you in finding ways to do just that.

Effective Business Communication Tips

“Effective Business Communication Tips”
By J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Founder & Chief Executive of J. G. Ebersole Associates and The Renaissance Group ™
www.prdoctor4u.com

Do you consider yourself to be an effective business communicator? Have you honed your skills when communicating via E-mail and voice-mail messaging, in addition to the more traditional formal business writings? Could you use a little help improving the effectiveness of your business communications in each of these forms?

Regardless of how you responded to my questions, I am going to say that I believe each of us can always use some help in improving the effectiveness of our business communications. And I want to assist you and guide you in finding ways to do just that. And I will start with the more formal or traditional written business communications form. Tina Miller is a freelance writer who’s been published in Corporate & Incentive Travel and the Milwaukee Business Journal and she offers the following tips:
1. Write the way you speak.
2. Take a positive approach.
3. Tell your readers what’s in it for them.
4. Write at the reader’s level.
5. Never send a business communication when you are angry.
6. Anticipate questions.
7. Be careful with acronyms and technical language.
8. Reap the Rewards of Technology.
9. If you can wait an extra day before sending the communication, take advantage of that extra time.
I recommend that you read the entire article found at:
www.klariti.com/business-writing/10-Tips-Effective-Business-Communications.shtml

Next, let’s look at E-mail, which is a major means of business communications and in fact is the “preferred” business communication form for a major part of the total communications effort by many businesses today. I found 10 tips to writing effective E-mail prepared by Jessica Bauer and Dennis Jerz. Here they are:
1. Write a meaningful subject line.
2. Keep the message focused and readable.
3. Avoid attachments.
4. Identify yourself clearly.
5. Be kind – don’t flame.
6. Proofread.
7. Don’t assume privacy.
8. Distinguish between formal and informal situations.
9. Respond promptly.
10. Show respect and restraint.
Again, I suggest you read the entire article found at:
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/e-text/e-mail.htm



And finally let’s look at voice-mail messaging, another major means of business communication. Here are 10 tips for effective voice-mail messages from Jeff Wuorio, a veteran freelance writer and author based in southern Maine.
First – what to do when you’re the one leaving the message:
1. Get to the purpose of your call.
2. Put contact information up front as well.
3. Don’t repeat what the system already knows.
4. Get to know the person who’s getting the message.
5. Avoid trying to leave a message about numerous topics.
Second - tips for your recorded voice-mail greetings:
1. Consider changing your greeting every day.
2. Offer specifics.
3. Encourage detailed messages.
4. Use humor and offbeat material with caution.
5. Always review your outgoing message.
Please read Jeff’s entire article found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/communications/10_tips_for_effective_voice-mail_messages.mspx

If you truly want to become more effective in your business communications, then please contacct Glenn Ebersole at jgeprman@aol.com to talk about how to improve your business communication skills.

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