Basic Communication skills

Clear communication is a critical key to most business activities (e.g. Programs, Projects, Business Transformations, M&A, QBR etc. ) . Do you spend enough time on it? Do you get your communications across to the intended recipient(s) as planned? How do you measure if your communications come across as planned?

Basic Steps - This needs to be done at the beginning of every communication effort/project

• Determine who needs what kind of information - Stakeholder determination 
• When does he/she need this information? 
• Who will deliver the information? - keep company culture etc in mind 
• How will the information be delivered? (e.g. Face-to-Face, phone, email) 

That sounds very easy doesn't it? But as you know in reality this can be quite tricky. Here some notes on what you should pay close attention to.

1. Keep in mind who you communicate with! Executives prefer high level, clear summaries w/o you going into all the details. They don't have the time for that and rely on you to work this out. For meetings with Subject Matter Experts be prepared to discuss more details. Don't succumb to the trap to use the same communication for different audiences. In most cases this will not work! 
2. Use words that everyone understands in your environment! 
3. Really listen before you try to answer any questions! Take your time to answer questions! Note: If you think about the next meeting or planning the next activity in your current communication you are not really paying attention. There is a reason why you have two ears and one mouth. 
4. If possible do really important communications in person ! (Note: 55% of communication is non verbal!) 
5. Be aware of cultural differences when you communicate! Check this link and/or check this book
6. Be transparent in your communications! This will establish trust. 
7. Keep all your business communications professional at all times 

Lastly, be prepared that you will be a lifelong learner of communications and don't ever stop learning more.