How to Avoid Misunderstandings in Business Communications
I’ve often read an article or email and thought “I don’t know what this is about at all!”. There is a skill to composition, and there’s also numerous ways to do it wrong. At its core, composing - particularly in the work environment - is all about putting a clear point across. Nothing else matters should you fail to put your point across distinctly in your writing.
Here are some classic points to help you put your point across compactly in business communications.
If your article is quite lengthy, begin with a short single sentence - the “gist” - of what the article is in regards to so your audience can recognise if it’s pertinent to them. Try not to assume too much in regards to your audience. Keep it simple and eliminate inessential waffle. Remember that your audience is dedicating their time to your email or written piece so keep it concise and to the point. Never write an email hastily. It’s human nature to reply in wrath to an email that might misinterpret some words you said before, or may be harshly critical of you. By all means write out your outraged reply as a draft - as a method to release pent-up frustration. But then return to it and refine it as a collected, measured response.
Lastly, learn to use a pen instead of the using your computer on occasion. A hand-written thank you note, for example, has more weight than a typed document ever would. Invest in a quality pen like a mont blanc pen with mont blanc refills - these will feel more comfortable in your hand and you will see that your writing betters with a writing tool like this.
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