COMMUNICATION Tips

To get your ideas accepted by people keep to the basic communication skills. These skills are simple but are often forgotten. Here are some reminders.

Five ways to improve your communication skills

* How we learn

          We learn best by doing things and by seeing things being done. We learn least by hearing people talking to us.

          When giving instructions back-up your spoken words in writing.  

* Words have many meanings

          The English language has well over half a million-word definitions. The 500 most frequently used words have over 14,000 definitions.

          There are many forms of the English language spoken in different countries. Use words that are understood by the people you are communicating with. Try to talk their version of their language.  

          Today, because of telecommunications, many people speak some form of English.  Take care you don’t use words native to your country. Don’t use your slang or jargon.

* The essence of good communication is clarity

          Be ruthless with your editing.

          The shorter your words and sentences, the easier they are to understand, remember and to translate.

          The right word at the right time is worth much and costs little.

* Make your pages interesting

• Break up your messages. Use sub-headings.

• Use underlining or BOLD print for emphasis.

• Vary the lengths of your paragraphs.

• Use direct speech and quotation marks.

• List points you want to make with large dots or numbers.

• Leave space between paragraphs and use larger print and readable fonts for older audiences, such as Times New Roman.

* Select suitable colour combinations

          Bold basic contrasting colours are best seen.

          Be careful with your colour combinations. Black on white, or white on black, black on yellow, or dark print on a light- coloured background are best.  Pastel colours are weak when it comes to visibility on such things as PowerPoint projections.  

         Remember about 8% of men are colour blind so be aware of red/green problems. Red on black is difficult to read for many people.

          This year aim to keep all your messages simple and clear. You will be well rewarded.

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“Choose your words carefully – to express, not to impress.”

SOURCE: “Persuasive Ways” published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and in Chinese by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House and as “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia. Also published in Hungarian as “Getting Your Ideas Across” by  Bagolyvar Kft, Budapest and by Kogan Page Ltd., the U.K. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.