In today’s hyper-connected work environment, communication is at an all-time high. According to the latest State of Business Communication Report, the volume, pace and channels of communication are increasing, making work synonymous with constant communication. The report reveals that:
- 88% of a worker’s week is spent communicating.
- 84% of leaders are communicating across more channels than ever before.
- Over 50% of a worker’s week is spent on writing tasks.
Additionally, 78% of professionals surveyed noted that the frequency of communication has increased over the past twelve months, along with the variety of channels used (73%). However, with constant communication demands, how can employees ensure they are communicating effectively and efficiently to stay ahead and on top?
The skills gap in workplace communication
It’s wrong to assume that everyone working at, or joining an organisation has good business communication skills. Many employees have never received formal training or may have developed poor communication habits over time. This skills gap can quickly impact an organisation’s productivity and, ultimately, its bottom line. Common signs that poor communication is present include:
- Domineering personalities, that take over conversations.
- Conflicts that rarely get resolved, even in meetings.
- Low employee engagement and morale.
This can quickly turn into:
- Poor team cohesion and collaboration.
- Low customer satisfaction and sales.
- High turnover of staff.
In fact, data clearly shows that poor communication impacts both employers and employees. Workers cite:
- Increased stress (51%).
- Lower productivity (41%).
- Strained relationships (31%).
- Missed deadlines (26%).
And 43% of business leaders believe poor communication reduces productivity. 42% of leaders cite missed deadlines and delays as the worst outcomes of miscommunication, while 38% have noticed the financial impact of poor communication.
Supporting this, Project.co’s Communication Statistics 2024 Report highlights the top three costs of poor business communication as:
- Wasted time (70%).
- Missed messages (55%).
- Stress and burnout (53%).
The data clearly illustrates that poor communication is costly, but how can it be mitigated?
Improving communication practices – from the shop floor to the C-suite – can help businesses regain valuable time and drive success more proactively.
At Indigo, we’re seeing a sharp rise in organisations across various sectors investing in targeted communication training. Our workshops, which are globally recognised and distributed exclusively by Indigo in the UK, are designed to equip employees with essential skills to communicate with clarity, brevity and impact – even when under pressure.
How our specialised workshops can make a difference:
Think on Your Feet® – empowers you to respond clearly and confidently, even when caught off guard. Learn techniques to quickly analyse, organise and present your thoughts with impact – even when you’re under pressure. Ideal for client and customer interaction, meeting updates and networking. More…
Writing Dynamics™ – developed by award-winning professional writers, this one-day workshop enhances your productivity by teaching you to write effectively and efficiently. Ideal for any industry and level of seniority, it transforms your written communication skills whether you’re writing a report, proposal or email. More…
The Skilled Presenter™ – become the presenter that leaves a lasting impression. This workshop focuses on how your audience will perceive you and arms you with proven techniques used by professional speakers to deliver knockout presentations every time. Ideal for new business pitches, client presentations and project updates. More…
At Indigo, we offer various training options to suit your needs:
- Public Workshops: Ideal for individuals or small groups. See the full calendar…
- In-house Training: Perfect for companies and teams. Enquire for your team…
- Online Training: Accessible to your workers anywhere in the world. Enquire for your team…
I’m always available for a chat. So why not get in touch with me on +44 (0)20 3836 8646 or email me SarahH@indigobusiness.co.uk, to find out how we can help you.
Sources: https://go.grammarly.com/2024-state-of-business-communication-report
https://www.project.co/communication-statistics/
More about Sarah
Sara passionately believes that Think on Your Feet® is the workshop everyone should take at the start of their career – she wishes she had!
We’ve all had those moments after a presentation, meeting or networking event where we kick ourselves for not saying the right thing or rambling on. This workshop teaches simple, memorable techniques to structure your thoughts and communicate clearly and confidently in any situation.
