‘Communication is key’ – a phrase we’ve heard of many times in an array of relationships between two people to two million people. Leaders worldwide are re-elected for their next term when their crucial factor is good communication, and organisations claim that good leadership increases an employee’s productivity and the company’s turnover.
This blog introduces the seven C’s of effective communication with examples and how it can impact your professional relationship with your customers by relaying business through proper communication.
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7 C’s of Communication
The seven C’s of communication are the checklist of skills needed by individuals in any post in an organisation to improve their communication management skills and convey a message clearly and concisely. These principles adhere to effective communication and uplift your company to generate better productivity and harmony.
The 7 C’s are a much-quoted list, first provided by Cutlip and Centre in 1952 in Effective Public Relations. These are 7 C’s because these principles start with a C, connected to communication. The original list goes as follows.
Completeness
The message should be complete, which means it should contain all the necessary information for the intended audience. The complete information answers all of the receivers’ questions and assists the recipient in making better decisions. An incomplete message shows the negligence of the writer and can cause misunderstandings on the recipient’s end.
Example – Follow these guidelines for Completeness – Five W’s
What – Bikayi Is conducting an Open Venue Meet for Entrepreneurs.
When – On the 23rd of April, Thursday at 5 PM
Where – Jalbhawan, Koramangala, Bengaluru- 560098
Why – To provide a platform to upcoming entrepreneurs to pitch their idea
Who – The event is conducted by Bikayi and the team.
Conciseness
The message should always be to the point. Short and brief notes hold the viewer’s attention faster than long-form text, which can contain unnecessary information. A concise message saves time and effort for both sender and receiver.
Example – Follow the guide – ‘Less is more.’
“In the month of May, employees are required to come into the office, swipe their card at the access machine, choose their seats according to their team calls, and attend the daily meets of their team schedules.”
Instead, use
“Employees are required to attend the office from May and clear their security protocols and take attendance with their team.”
Consideration
This skill is the simple humane skill of being considerate towards the recipient. In this principle, the sender must consider the recipient’s mindset, background, needs etc., to communicate effectively. The sender must relate to the receiver and be involved in their activities to know the receiver’s stand on a matter.
Example – Follow the guide – Focus on ‘you’ more than ‘we’
“This month, we cannot process the bonus checks due to an awaiting payment from one of the clients, so we will not be able to get back on this sooner.”
Instead, use
“We are not able to process the Bonus checks for this month due to a client payment , we are sorry for the delay however we assure you that we shall resolve the situation soon and ensure cash flow benefits for your hard work.”
Concreteness
The word concrete is to be solid. Communication must be concrete so that there is no room for misunderstanding and the message is specific and clear. A statement must have facts and figures to back up the sender’s information through credible sources and irrefutable data. This skill especially applies to feedback during work, as poor feedback reverts to poor quality of work.
Example – Focus on image building data with references.
“The work quality is poor here; I’m not happy about this thumbnail.”
Instead, use
“The picture quality isn’t great; use the HD pictures and change the thumbnail background for a better experience.”
Courtesy
Ever heard of the phrase ‘Give Respect to Take Respect’? It applies to everyone, regardless of their post, anywhere in the world. This communication shows politeness and builds goodwill toward both parties. This skill includes being thoughtful and appreciative about the opinion of the receiver but also not being biased based on their configurations.
Example – Focus on mutual respect.
“My team is not able to concentrate on their work because of all the noise by yours, can you try and keep it down”?
Instead, use
“I understand that your team must be going through a lot of work due to priority projects , however, our team is going through a similar project with urgent requirements. It would help us both if we can limit our communication to nil ,thank you.”
Clearness
It is critical to understand the purpose of the message you are delivering. The sender must inform the recipient why they are receiving the news and what you hope to accomplish by providing it. If there are multiple objectives, each should state its goals separately. Use clear and concise language, and lay it out in a structured format; using fancy words can misplace the message and create unnecessary miscommunication.
Example – Follow the guide – Crystal clear.
“At sharp 1 PM, the author Sidney Sheldon will make an appearance at Blossoms Book House for a 2-hour reading”.
Correctness
Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are examples of correctness. Even though mistakes are never intentional, they distract the recipient and cast a bad image of your organisation. The message should be precise and timely, and correct statements have a more significant impact on the receiver while also being more effective and never using short forms.
Example – Follow the guide – Proofread five times before sending a message.
“Always carry your ID at the opening hrs.”
Instead, use
“Always carry your identification card from 11 AM – 5 PM.”
This checklist applies to both written and spoken communication. These seven skills play an essential role in understanding a client’s approach and preparing for a problem.
Communication is all about connection, so these skills points ensure the bridge between the gaps in a lousy communication and help you set the tone for clear, concise, and logical business communication.
