What Poor Communication is Really Costing Your Bottom Line
Have you ever waited for a response from a client, vendor or coworker? It is an epidemic in today’s work culture. Can you imagine how Jesus would have felt if his disciples didn’t pay attention or respond to him?
Take a close look at what is slowing teams down day-to-day, it usually isn’t a supply chain delay or a new competitor. Poor communication across the country and it’s costing businesses a staggering $1.2 trillion every year.
Think about how that plays out in your business. A recent study by The Harris Poll found the average employee wastes about 7.5 hours every single week just trying to untangle confusing emails, fix avoidable mistakes, or chase down answers they should have had in the first place. An entire workday down every week, per person, simply because we aren’t on the same page or worse, just silent.
As a 46-year businessman, I have had a front-row seat to see what makes local businesses thrive or stumble. The companies that are genuinely doing well aren’t always the ones with the flashiest products or the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where people actually talk to each other. They’ve built cultures where it is safe to speak up, ask questions, and tell the truth. They encourage quick response to communication requests, to clients, vendors and their own employees.
Pick up the phone and call someone back, email them, and give them a text to confirm you got a text. It is more than a little important to let someone know you are listening, even if you don’t have time for a long response, let them know you are engaged. One would think it is usually a problem with someone reaching out that wants something from you but it amazes me how when one is trying to actually become a client and spend money, the phone doesn’t ring for days and even weeks. Emails and text messages don’t get answered in a timely manner.
It’s time to stop looking at workplace communication as just a nice-to-have HR slogan, and start seeing it for what it really is: the secret weapon to keeping your team happy and your business running smoothly and profitable. Just take time to respond and listen! There it is, TAKE TIME!
—Michael Carnes, Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce.
mcarnesproducer@gmail.com
