Important Announcement #13
DATE: November 20, 1996
TO: Industry Colleagues And Friends
FROM: Stiernberg Consulting
SUBJECT: Communication Trends & Latest News!
More Big News: This is to share some ideas and update you on activities since Important Announcement #12 was sent in July 1996.
Communication Trends: Rethinking Your Habits
Leading causes of problems in both business and our personal lives are poor or insufficient communication. Have any of the following ever happened to you?
- A customer finds out about your company's hot new product before you do, resulting in embarrassment and confusion in the field.
- The boss calls an important meeting, but you don't know what it's about. Fearing the worst, you dust off your resume, only to find that the meeting is about planning the holiday party.
- You receive a voice mail message from an important contact who does not leave a return phone number. Returning the call, you discover that the person no longer works at the company you've dialed up.
These are illustrations of the need for better communication on both the individual and corporate levels. In these days of electronic media, we sometimes forget that we are still communicating with human beings who have habits and preferences. Voice mail, e-mail, fax, cellular phones, and FedEx have helped speed up message delivery. They are wonderful tools, but they require the rethinking of communications policies and procedures.
Three Suggestions for Better Business Communication
Yes, life was simpler once--but we can't go backwards. Besides, a little effort goes a long way in the art of communication. Synchronous (at the same time) communication examples include face to face meetings, telephone calls, video conferencing, and online chat. Asynchronous (sending and receiving messages at different times) communication examples include traditional postal service mail, courier, fax, voice mail, and electronic mail. Increasingly, businesses use all of the above methods as opposed to one or two in each category. Here are three suggestions for dealing with the risks and opportunities inherent in today's fast-paced and complex communications environment.
1. Learn to communicate the way your colleagues and customers communicate. This may involve investment in new tools and practice of new methods. Embrace new technology and add new colors to your communications palette. Example: If you find that a key customer seldom checks voice mail, send a fax or e-mail to transmit your message rather than risk missing a deadline.
2. Build a communications matrix for your organization. The matrix is a grid listing the many types of communication--from routine meetings and reports to publicity messages and training seminars--which are relevant to your business over the year. Include the frequency of each: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or as needed. Thinking through this issue is a giant step toward improving productivity and morale in addition to making communication more accurate and efficient.
3. Take 100% responsibility for communication. There are many ways things can go awry. When each party assumes 100% of the responsibility for communicating instead of 50%, there are far fewer gaps and mis-communications.
Faxback Survey #13: How Do You Communicate?
Does your company have a communications policy? Which mode of communication is most effective for you? What is your favorite way to communicate?
Your feedback on this topic is valuable. Please respond via Faxback Survey #13 enclosed. Simply make a few notes and fax or mail as indicated. Results of the survey will be announced in Important Announcement #14.
Survey #12 Results: We Have Another Winner!
Thanks to those of you who responded to Faxback Survey #12. Of those responding, 75% use the Internet for e-mail and web surfing while only 15% use it for business transactions. Only 7% do not use the Internet at all. On the topic of alternative officing, 64% of respondents have a mobile office and 65% have a permanent home office.
The winner of the Clicking book and the $25 American Express Gift Cheque is Pete Lee Malinchock of Paragon Music, St. Petersburg, FL. Congratulations!
See You At Upcoming Trade Events
We will be attending upcoming industry events and would like to know if you are planning to attend:
* CES, Las Vegas January 9-12, 1997
* NAMM, Anaheim January 16-19, 1997
* HAA Expo, Orlando February 9-11, 1997
* TED 7, Monterey February 20-22, 1997
* ISC West, Las Vegas March 11-13, 1997
* Store Fixturing and Visual Merchandising Show, Chicago March 22-24, 1997
We are also presenting seminars at the HAA and ISC events. Please let us know if you or someone from your company will be attending each of these key events. Simply check the appropriate box on the enclosed Faxback Survey #13.
Special Prize Drawing
The prize drawing is a regular feature of the Important Announcement Series. Here's how to enter: Returning the survey enters you in the special prize drawing. The prize this issue is a combination of home-made Holiday Truffles (chocolate soaked in Rebel Yell Bourbon) and a $25 American Express Gift Cheque. On Monday, December 23, 1996, the winning survey will be drawn at random from the ones received by either fax or mail. Sound like fun? Please respond today!
About Stiernberg Consulting
We are business development consultants. Our clients include manufacturers, publishers, and trade associations in the electronics industry, with emphasis on entertainment and communications. We work on a wide range of projects from strategic planning and market development to event production, training seminars, and custom research.
Let's Talk Soon!
We would like to share more information about our practice with you. Please request our recently updated (May 1996) Business Profile and Publications/Seminar Index by checking the box on Faxback Survey #13, or contact us via post, telephone, or electronic mail. Please note our new e-mail address: plans@stiernberg.com. We're planning to have our web site up soon and will keep you posted. Happy Holidays!