Invest in Communication Skills Training to Add Value to Your Workplace

Andrea Kay's article in USAToday.com, "Speak well, write well, inspire others in 

2012", highlights Ben and Kelly Decker's "Decker Communications The Top Ten 

Best (and Worst) Communicators of 2011". Hollywood actor Charlie Sheenis 

ranked 3rd in the 10 Worst category because of his erratic communication and 

out-of-control public display of emotions, which destroyed his reputation and led 

to his career downfall. The recently fired Hewlett-Packard CEO, Leo Apotheker, is 

9th in the Worst list because of "not communicating a clear vision for HP, and not 

getting consensus and buy-in of his executive board".

If you want to avoid these mistakes, you have to understand how essential 

excellent communication skills are in leadership, organisations and interpersonal 

relations.

Compare these worst communicators with the successful leaders and 

communicators in the Top 10 Best list: Steve Jobs who created, communicated 

and completed his Apple visions clearly and colourfully; Howard Schultz who uses 

his superb communication skills to continually lead Starbucks to success; Virginia 

Rometty who became the first female CEO of IBM; and Warren Buffet who is not 

only a successful investor-businessman but also a good, respected and authentic 

communicator.

Poor communication skills could cost you a promotion, or even your job. You need 

these skills to work well with everyone in the office, to be a good leader, to 

motivate others to get things done, and to convey effectively your products and 

services to customers. Communication skills involve speaking, writing, listening, 

and presentation skills; all of which could break or make your career - close or lose 

a deal, inspire or dispirit a team, and build or crumble confidence.

Remember, talking is not necessarily communicating. Communicating is an 

exchange of thoughts, views, ideas, and insights with another person.It involves 

careful listening and skilful speaking, - even if the person you're interacting with is 

angry, sad, depressed or frustrated. To avoid misunderstanding someone or 

being misunderstood, it's important to develop good communication skills for all personal or professional interactions.

Benefits of Effective Communication Skills

To improve your personal or your organisation's communication skills, seek the 

help of communication skills coaching professionals who can provide you with 

communication skills training. Black Isle Communications has a team of trainers 

who can help you achieve more successful business communications through 

business writing, influencing, and presentation skills training.With their guidance, 

you can reap the rewards of effective communication in the workplace, such as:

• Diversity or Globalisation

- To reduce barriers, errors,and miscommunication due to language and cultural 

differences among employees across the organisation's domestic and international 

offices

- To avoid offending or confusing international counterparts

• Team Building

- To mould strong, efficient teams through trust and confidence in each other

- To foster a positive and healthy working environment
- To develop harmonious relationships between employees and management

What Black Isle Communications can do for you?

To achieve these improvements, Black Isle Communications will tailor communication skills training to suit your needs, including:

• Spoken communication and presentation skills
• Influencing skills
• New business pitches
• Business writing skills
• Report writing skills
• Plain language expression
• Networking and social skills
• Meeting skills

The key to effective communication is not what you convey to the other person. It's what the other person takes away from what you said that really counts.