Importance of communication skills, articles and advice

Most problems that exist today in the modern world have been created by the lack of the ability of people to communicate the reasons for and the effect of their thinking and actions on others. We can therefore assume that the same situation will exist if the entrepreneur fails to adequately communicate his intentions in business.

A business plan might be perfectly concise and clear in the mind of the presenter and it might be logical and financially viable. This must be communicated to the minds of those who have to support and invest in the idea. Ideas are a fashion business and the herd will influence personal decisions. The media possess a huge influence over the mind of the individual to influence outcomes. Society around us has its own dogmatic views expressed as a continuation of personal and community dogma. Individual opinion tends to follow the herd so that when an unpopular idea is adopted as popular nothing has changed. It is only the perception of the facts that have changed.

These perceptions are the drivers of communications. That is why an idea which is dishonest and misleading can be adopted by the perceptions of the public as in their interests. It is only later that this unreasonable opinion changes and becomes unpopular. So one can see that perception quite often is driven by irrational opinion.

When the entrepreneur comes to the markets with his innovation it will not be accepted by its rational value but by the perceptive value. It can be concluded therefore that the success of any innovative enterprise or idea will depend largely on the perception and the impression of the idea.

It can be understood that information can therefore manipulate public opinion favourably or negatively to the benefit of the entrepreneur. Part of that communication can portray the character and capability of the entrepreneur, his goals and his track record or lack of it, his commitment and potential to achieve his objective and what he is offering the investor. The communication of the business plan and perception of the drive and commitment of the entrepreneur to achieve that goal and his persistence in succeeding will be noted by both experienced investors and gullible public.

The final assumption then is that an excellent project could be destroyed by poor communication and an average opportunity could be promoted so well that sheer volume support could make it a success. As most business ideas or models depend on volumes the support and response from the public or lack of it could mean the success or the failure of any project even before it is initiated.

Communication is the most valuable business tool of all. Lack of communication amongst people is the most dangerous of all the problems faced in business. In people's minds there is a constant fear of anything they do not understand. Constant communication of progress, intentions and developments will ensure that there is no information gap. Rumour is a corrosive negative sentiment and like rust, once established, the effect lingers.

Once a human being has arrived on this earth, communication is the largest single factor determining what kinds of relationships he makes with others and what happens to him in the world about him."
-- Virginia Satir

"We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversation with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk."
-- Thomas Moore