by Michael B. Perini, ABC
perini & associates
Have you thought that you said something clearly only to have it misunderstood? Well, welcome to the world of effective communication. You might set out to be clear but often organizational and cultural issues have a way of changing the intended message.
Here are my thoughts, on how to solve the challenges to communicating clearly:
1. Provide context.
2. Structure messages logically.
3. Focus on essential elements.
4. Remove ambiquity.
5. Create resonance.
These five steps can be accomplished by having examples, using visuals and telling appropriate stories.
Also, there are key aspects that should not be neglected, based on the type of messaging tool, i.e. Twitter, YouTube videos, Blogs, Facebook pages and Website.
Only tweet messages that are consistent with the context of your profile or Twitter channel and the corresponding needs of your followers.
YouTube
Align videos with the YouTube channel context and target grouping.
Blogs
Provide a blog roll and most-read entry; include a clear headline and description. State the reason for the entry.
Provide company or organizational context in the top section. Screen your Facebook page regularly to make sure it is aligned with your main communication goals and values. Create events and discussions.
Website
Make sure the site is user-friendly. Have content that is current. Don’t use a lot of gimmicks like sounds as it is distracting to viewers.
Making the complex clear has become both an art and a science. According to, Marting J. Eppler, Ph.D, (Communication World) it requires “not only the ability to simplify, structure and visualize complex issues, but also the tactical talent to deal with organizational detours to clarify.”
Another way to look at this by Joseph Pulitzer, journalist and media pioneer. “Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.”