PURPOSE-DRIVEN COMMUNICATIONS: TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Purpose-driven communications are those that are drafted and delivered to achieve an objective. Whether you are a student, graduate, job seeker, a professional worker, etc, effective communication is important not only in sharing information and knowledge but also to achieving other purposes e.g., to influence prospects, win contracts, build a relationship, settle a dispute, etc.

Here are 6 tips and techniques to accomplish purpose-driven communications:

Plan before Communicating.

Before conversing with any audience, be clear on the topic you want to discuss and the outcome you want to achieve. You should also anticipate the objections you may likely face and be proactive in developing strategies to overcome them. 

You must ensure your communication suits the target audience. Research your target audience to know who they are; their background and what is important to them. Then adapt your communication approach to suit them.

It is also crucial that you decide on the best means to communicate. Will your purpose be best achieved if communication is written or verbal? Over the phone or in person, etc.  

The timing is also another factor you should consider. To get the best of communication, you should ensure the timing is convenient for your audience, otherwise, you may not get their full attention and your communication may be fruitless.

Be Eloquent.

Clear and effective communication is very important for any positive outcome. Clear communication does not only ensure the listener understands what is being said, but also helps to keep their attention and interest.

Speak with Confidence.

This can go a long way to influence your audience. 

Speaking with confidence increases one’s credibility and the likelihood of a positive outcome in any discussion. When you’re confident, you have the power to frame a situation and own the conversation.

Gauge the Conversation and Adjust. 

To achieve the purpose of communication, it’s important to gauge how the conversation is going while it’s happening and adjust as necessary. To gauge the progress of your communication, you must be a good listener.

Listening involves observing the response of your receiver, not only in terms of spoken words but also their body language, to; understand their feelings and ensure your communications are not misunderstood. By listening effectively, you can confirm the interest of your audience and make changes to your approach where necessary.

Be Polite.

Politeness plays a really important role in effective communication. While speaking you should pay attention to what you say and how you say it. Your manner would determine people’s perception of you and can influence their reaction to your message. Try not to be rude. If you speak rudely, nobody would want to listen to you. Good manners will leave a positive and lasting impression on people and will enhance your chances of success.

Monitor and Compare the Result of your Communication with the purpose you intended.

Did you get the result you wanted? If yes, identify and harness the key (s) to your success for future engagement. If the result is negative, try to figure out why; request feedback and deal with negative feedback constructively. Learn from your mistakes and make adjustments where necessary.

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