We often think of communication as something that a specialised department does in the company, but the fact of the matter is that good and bad communication not only affect us every day in our day-to-day job, but also affect the way other people perceive us.

So, whether you are an individual or a business with the goal of being seen as being professional, productive and proactive, here are some small communication habits anyone can build:

1. If you have contact channels like email enquiries, or a WhatsApp number, ensure those are monitored and replied to within 24 hours of receipt.

2. Respond to all emails within 24 hours – even if it’s just to say, “Received, thanks!” or “I don’t yet have the information, but I will come back to you as soon as I do.”

3. Keep your promises – and if you can’t, let the person know ahead of time, and give them the reason.

4. If you encounter an obstacle, communicate.

5. If you’re not sure about something, ask.

6. Ensure your communication always has value for the receiver. Ask yourself – what’s in it for them? Why should they care? How will it benefit them?

7. Ensure all communication has a purpose – to inform, persuade, update, ask for information – and then put that right at the beginning.

8. Keep all work/business-related communication short, sharp, relevant and direct. If you don’t know how to do that, I can help. Let’s chat!