Several years ago I heard a cute story told to the congregation of my church by a wonderful minister who has passed on. It turns out to be a classic joke from days past. His sermon centered around the issues we face when communication breaks down.
A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, “What are the grounds for your divorce?” She replied, “About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property with a stream running by.” “No,” he said, “I mean what is the foundation of this case?” “It is made of concrete, brick and mortar,” she responded. “I mean,” he continued, “What are your relations like?” “I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents.” Frustrated with how the interview was going...the judge said, “Do you have a real grudge?” “No,” she replied, “We have a two-vehicle carport and have never really needed one.” “Please,” he tried again, “is there any infidelity in your marriage?” “Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your questions is yes.” “Ma am, does your husband ever beat you up?” “Yes,” she responded, “about twice a week he gets up earlier than I do.” Finally, in more frustration, the judge asked, “Lady, why do you want a divorce?” “Oh, I don’t want a divorce,” she replied. “I’ve never wanted a divorce. My husband does. He said we can’t communicate anymore!”
The story reminds me how easily we sing songs we hear on the radio only to find out later we were using the wrong words. When the correct lyrics are heard, we notice how well they fit compared to the ones we were using. Once we get the right words, the song makes more sense!
Great communication...wow, what a difference maker! Poor communication...wow, what a difference maker! No communication...wow, what a huge difference maker! When you want to make a difference with your business model, which level of communication would you choose; great, poor or none? How is your choice working out for you?
Are you ready for the work we need to do on improving your communication skills? Is your business ready to improve its communication skills? What do you think your customers would say if they were asked if your business needs to improve its communication skills? I know for myself, I struggle the most with this particular subject more than I care to admit. Communication has always been a key reason for things going wrong. I also know that the deeper the challenge, the more the likelihood the communication had a larger gap.
The best business knowledge is useless without a good level of communication. The best practices are silent when they are not shared. If the best practices are silent, your business does not get to express them. Make sure you expose all you can when you lead your business into its marketing world. Gaps in communication can mount up and begin to anchor down your opportunities for success.
When it comes to communication, several segments require higher demands for improved communications.
The most important segments include; high levels of customer relations, employee performance expectations centered around all human resource aspects of the company mission, the desired work process for supporting the company culture, the understanding of the company mission, the purpose of producing great marketing efforts that match company desires, the correct method for reading the critical numbers and the knowledge base of the company as it works to improve more knowledge.
In other words...tell your people how you want to be and set standards on helping them learn how to deliver what you want the customer to respect. Communicate well.
The following lists are some of the most common reasons why businesses fail. I decided to go to the 'web' and Google the top reasons why businesses fail. I took the following lists from a few sites provided by the search and pasted them on this post. The top reasons provided by each site are legitimate reasons for contributing to business failure. When you read each list from each site, imagine how improved communication could have helped to save the business from failure. Pay very close attention to how important good communication is when you consider how these items on the list were practiced strong enough to dry up the businesses they hurt. Where was the communication? What level of communication was offered to help prevent these businesses from failure, with the reasons provided?
A list of top failures from;
The Entrepreneurial Mind, http://forum.belmont.edu/cornwall/archives/003452.html
10. Over-expansion.
9. Poor Capital Structure.
8. Failure to Control the Controllable Costs.
7. Failure to Prepare for Volatility of Uncontrollable Costs.
6. Add New Products or Divisions that Drag Down the Profitable Ones.
5. Poor Internal Controls and Execution.
4. Poorly Designed Business Model.
3. Reliance on Critical Financing that Dries Up.
2. Failure to Adapt to a Changing Market.
AND THE #1 REASON? Management in Complete Denial.
Business Know How, http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/business-failure.htm
1. You start your business for the wrong reasons.
2. Poor Management.
3. Insufficient Capital.
4. Location, Location, Location.
5. Lack of Planning.
6. Overexpansion.
7. No Website.
My New Company.Com, http://www.mynewcompany.com/blog/top-reasons-for-business-failure/
- Lack of direction.
- Impatience.
- Greed.
- Taking action without thinking it through first.
- Poor cost control.
- Poor product quality.
- Bad or nonexistent budgeting.
- Inadequate financial records.
- Loss of momentum in the sales department.
- Failure to anticipate market trends.
- Lack of managerial ability or experience.
- Indecisiveness.
- Bad human relations.
- Diffusion of effort.
1. Lack of experience
2. Insufficient capital (money)
3. Poor location
4. Poor inventory management
5. Over-investment in fixed assets
6. Poor credit arrangements
7. Personal use of business funds
8. Unexpected growth
9. Competition
10. Low sales
A thorough examination will lead you to discover how important good communication is to helping any business model survive the challenges facing every business owner. Increase the quality of the communications you provide, permit, and encourage in your business. It will improve your chances to win at the ownership game. I especially like the number one reason given on The Entrepreneurial Mind top 10 list of failures. That reason is the number one on many lists.
Communication is truly the gap of all gaps. Failure to communicate well is the most troubling part of trying to provide good leadership efforts. I was once told when it comes to communicating well, some of us would like to talk to people who express our thoughts clearly! Most communication gaps begin here. From there, the gap only begins to widen. The wider the gap, the deeper the challenge. Business models have enough natural challenges to over come in this market place. Make sure we are not adding more unwanted challenges by breaking down our communication channels. Our business deserves better communication. Our business deserves better growth and development. Our business deserves better numbers on the bottom line. Improved communication can help our business receive all that it deserves. Say what you need to say, say it well, and help those who need to listen...hear what you need them to hear. Better yet, listen to what you need to listen to. Hear what is being said. Your ears can say it best. Give them a try.
"If you’re going to tell people the truth, you’d better make them laugh. Otherwise, they’ll kill you." (George Bernard Shaw)
Try to work on improving your communication skills. It is not an easy task to perfect. I know, I like to talk to people who express my thoughts well.
Until next time...
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