There are numerous tools that are available to us to create a better live for ourselves and others. The two most powerful and effective tools, however, are our mind and our communication skills.

Because you can create the life you really want by applying your mind the right way and by using your communication skills so that you have all the relationships you wish for.

Now, the question sometimes arises why communication is so important. And rightly so because people usually don\’t tell you why they are important, they just tell you that they are. Important.

My answer to this is that I see that the whole of our society is held together by our ability to communicate. Your ability to communicate with your family and loved ones, your friends, your neighbours, with your co-workers, employees and your clients…

How would it be if you were not able to communicate your thoughts and ideas to others?

How would it be it you were not able to share your experiences with your loved one?

And just imagine not being able to find solutions to a problem, or not having the skills to guide others and yourself through a crisis.

If you overlook the importance of communication, and the importance of your own ability to take charge of your life, your quality of life will be diminished. Because the quality of your communication is the quality of your life.

Do you not agree that communication skills hold the fabric of your world together? And do you not agree that improving your communication skill level makes sense so that your life becomes more fulfilled for you and everyone you love, such as your family and your friends?

Because our progress as a species, and our success, has always been dependant on our ability to work together, to cooperate, and to communicate.

With your ability to communicate you can face problems and challenges, and you can find solutions to those challenges so that everyone not just feels good about these solutions, they will also cooperate with you in the future. Because they have confidence in you and trust you.

The question about why communication is important is more a question about how much you want to create a life you want to live in, with all those you love and care about. It’s more about how much you want to increase the quality of YOUR life.

And you can start today with improving your communication skills.

There are many different types of communication.
Some are digital such as the internet, i-phones, blackberries etc. Others are analog….

But I,m not discussing those here so if that’s what you’re looking for then this post isn’t for you.

The two types of communication I will be writing about are the sort that humans like you have used since before we came down out of the trees.

NOW

You’re probably thinking, auditory… you know the spoken stuff that we hear and answer back to.

Nope

Well then it must be body language. Matching and mirroring.

Wrong again

Well that only leaves kinaesthetic. Communication by touch and feel.

It isn’t any one of these ways of communicating . It is all of them.

SO what is my point here ?

There are only two types of communication. There is communication that doesn’t work and there is communication that gets you the results you really want.
Lots of folks get hung up on language patterns, listening skills, volume, correct enunciation of their words, body language etc etc etc.

All of the above are important and so is working out the results that you want from your communication skills before you start to talk. Or write. Or to perform.

Knowing your outcomes is a vital  part of being a good communicator. And being able to assess how effective you have been is equally important.
The thing is that often you can get so hung up on being right that you forget the actual result you wanted in the first place. This is a sure recipe for divorce, disease and downright misery.

Often when you are taught to use assertive communication you are taught to WIN. And at what cost. This is the big flaw in the argument for assertive communication.

You MUST win.

At what cost though ? You may lose the respect and trust of people who will be your allies in the future. You may create fear about dealing with you, just in case you chew their ear off.
You may create enemies who will do you down at the first opportunity because you really upset them and maybe didn’t listen fully to their side of the story.

Communication is a two way street and unless you listen you may miss pertinent points that woud have eliminated the conflict anyway. You also miss out on the input that you get from
 another persons perspective and who’s to say that your viewpoint is 100 % right 100 % of the time ?

I say all of this not to make you feel bad or guilty because you want THAT result.

I say this because there is a more powerful way . An easier way where you win and they win too.
You both get what you want and there is no angst or anger.
Two people or more working together towards a common end. Each with half the work load and twice the brain power. Twice the muscle power.

This was the conversation we had before we came down from the trees.

” Cover my back. Keep your eyes open and yell out if you see anything coming. I’m going down to check out that strange fruit down there “

Think about this and maybe you can work out how you can get over your differences and work with others.

In reality there are many types of communication. HOWEVER there is only one that works 

Job Communication

For every person who is employed in any kind of business establishment, communication is very important. Often times, assertive communication must be practiced to provide a disciplined atmosphere. But every day in the workplace, various kinds of communication happen, and it is very important to know what the most effective forms of job communication are.

Job communication takes place in different forms. There is a communication between a superior and an employee, or vice versa. There is job communication between departments within the same establishment. There also exists communication between separate business entities.

Along with the directions of different types of job communication, there are those which could also be classified according to tone such as friendly, command, reprimand, or warning. Job communication is so vast in form and structure that it is very important to understand these forms.

Persons with superb job communication skills make valuable employees as they become skilled at working with others, befitting the company, and contributing to the objectives of the company. Improving job communication is simple, and with a little bit of practice, one would be able to develop his verbal and non-verbal communication skills necessary for workplace success.

All types of communication in a work area are essential, be it verbal or nonverbal. Job communication skills also involve….

written communication.

Instructions, peer communication, questions, and answers are often given through verbal job communication. Letters, memos, and other documents within the work area intended to convey a message are also considered as written job communication.

Nonverbal job communication

on the other hand involves gestures, facial expression, actuations, and signals. This type of communication often happens in informal work settings wherein there is no need for formal use of words to relay a message.

In a work area nonverbal job communication also includes eye contact, body language, facial expressions, and posture. At work, people often practice nonverbal job communication more than verbal job communication. Especially considering that you can’t always talk in the workplace. But every movement conveys a message.

Effective job communication in the workplace could be achieved in several ways. In the workplace, make others feel the sincerity in what you say. Good job communication does not require you to open your mouth all the time, rather opening one’s mouth when it is needed. This should only happen when you know the topic being discussed.

Job communication also requires a clear delivery of message as well as knowing when to speak and when to listen. Sharing worthwhile information to others in the work area also provides a good way to establish rapport with co-workers. A good job communication means a direct and definite goal to convey to another.

In making sure that good job communication is maintained throughout the office, one must always think before speaking. The words you speak will build harmonious relationships with others, and will gain their trust. This way you will improve or help the company. Thus, good job communication skills are essential for anyone who is in a work setting.

Sales Communication

Communication skills are the foundation of every business venture. Whether a company or a firm, it needs good communication lines in order to achieve its goal. Clear and assertive communication is the basic foundation of a strong sales communication.

In order for a business to thrive, a good sales communication must be established. Sales communication involves expressing, convincing, persuading, and sealing of the deal. High sales achieved through effective sales communication is critical to the success of every business and it needs to be given maximun focus and the proper attention.

Establishing a strong sales communication will greatly improve the ability of any business to get  a big boost in revenue or income. The problem now is how to achieve that powerful sales communication.

Know Thy Product

Before venturing out to convince a client of the need to buy a certain product, you have to know the product that you are selling. A good sales communication will only be effective when the person understands what you are talking about. Also, you must be able to answer all questions about the product or service you are selling.

Sales communication involves giving out descriptive and convincing facts about the product. It has to fully define and describe the product in a way that will have your prospects and clients, not only convinced but determined to buy the product afterwards.

All possible questions of the prospective buyer or client must be accounted for in order for you to be fully armed with the information you need. The preparation needed to achieve good sales communication, is similar to a general preparing for battle who leaves no room for uncertainties, doubt or dangerous situations.

Know Thy Client

You must determine what kind of persons you will sell your product to. Know their weak and good points. Create the need. Make sure that you practice the basics of an effective sales communication to make every conversation a means to achieve a sale.

A good sales communication involves highlighting how the product will benefit the client. Make them feel that they are missing out on something if they don’t buy the product.

More Tips For Effective Sales Communication

• Listen effectively

Good sales communication can only happen when you know how to listen. You should be listening to your clients and  prospects.

Listen to your client’s emotions because sometimes it is the key that would either make the sale or prevent the chance of having one. Make sure that in a sales communication, you let your client explain their needs. Give your client an attentive ear.

• Give focus to the needs of your clients….

To administer good sales communication that your client would understand, make sure you are sensitive to their needs. You may want to sell them the really expensive top-of-the-line product that you have, even though they only need a midline product. Sales communication must be smooth and should not be pushy so that you upset or alienate your clients.

• Use only language that focuses the conversation on your clients needs

A good sales communication always gives importance to the client. Always make them feel important by saying “You’ll find” and not “I believe”.

• Focus on how your product will help your client
    
Make your clients see the concrete benefits that they would get when they buy your product through effective sales communication. If it could help them save money, show them how they would be able to save money. If it would help in increasing their profit, present it to them in a way that they will easily understand it.

•  focus on their objections first

. If you can answer a clients objections before they raise them you are probably one step ahead of your competition. A client may not always like what you are offering right away. Although they may state some objections, there is always a chance to make a sale. It takes patience and a strong sales communication to convince them of the benefit of your product or service and to overcome their objections.
 
• Sell the benefits… not the sizzle

Use all the sales communication skills you have acquired to sell the benefits of your product. Never hesitate to tell them anything that will show them how your product or service is superior and better than your competition. Always put your product in a good light.

Sales communication involves skill and the power to convince. Words must also be used in a way that will get the prospect or client to see the point being made especially concerning the benefits that the product would give them. Thus, the key to the success of a business is a good investment on the sales communication skills of employees.

The different types of communication come in many shapes and forms, but can be defined into two very distinct components. Verbal and nonverbal communication are the two main types of communication that we use every single day of our life, which then makes it necessary for us to understand their intricacies if we want to be effective communicators.

But before we get into the details of the discussion, just what are these verbal and nonverbal types of communication about?

Types of Communication: The Verbal Approach

When it comes to the different types of communication, the most explicit of them all would be verbal communication.

Verbal communication is exemplified by different types of communication, and not just by words. Whatever we have to say is said clearly and explicitly via symbols and sounds and that explicitly state our intent. The important factor to remember here is that words are primarily used here, and this is what separates the verbal approach from other types of communication.

 

Types of Communication: The Nonverbal Approach

The nonverbal approach is the more subtle types of communication, but could be even more powerful than a verbal approach.

Nonverbal communication is perhaps the most refined method among the different types of communication. Everything from the tone of our voice to the slight motions of our facial muscles to the hand gestures we unconsciously do when talking all contain subtle nonverbal messages, which requires a great degree of understanding and perception to notice in the first place.

Synergy Between the Two Types of Communication

These two types of communication are essential when you are in a face-to-face conversation with another person, and their combination can either make or break your success.

This is because the verbal types of communication, the words you speak, convey the message you want to say while the nonverbal types of communication, the gestures you show with them, will subtly affect the efficiency of the message you convey to your audience. If one does not match the other, you can expect to lose the impact of your message to your audience. People will notice the discrepancies between the two types of communication, and they will receive the message with suspicion. 

Combining the Two Types of Communication

It is quite simple: learn how to match your words with your actions, and you will be able to deliver your message with greater efficiency.

Between the two types of communication, nonverbal gestures need especially more care and attention than verbal gestures. Words can easily be said and manipulated even before you speak, but these gestures are things that occur naturally and often without any significant amount of thought added to them.

It is for this reason that self-esteem and cultural understanding become essential to improving your nonverbal skills. Your confidence will naturally leak over to your bodily gestures, while cultural understanding will allow you to avoid offending your audience with unspoken meanings hidden in your body.

Understand all this and you will grasp the basic effect that these two types of communication have on your ability to convince and influence others.