Managing expectations and reading subtext are critical aspects of communication, but how do you keep your messages short and sweet? Here are some tips. First, make sure you treat your clients like team members, not customers. Try to avoid saying, “You’re wrong!” Or giving short answers. Second, make sure you understand your client’s intentions before answering their questions. Lastly, avoid using buzz shmutz phrases. If you follow these rules, your communications will be clear and professional.
Sticking to the KISS principle
In 1970, there was a business buzzword, “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” This theory states that business systems work better when they are as simple and uncomplicated as possible. However, most company leaders don’t remember this principle when communicating with clients. If you’re in the business of marketing or customer service, you need to remember this principle to keep your communications with your customers simple and effective.
Managing expectations
Managing expectations when communicating with clients is essential for effective project management. Clients want consistent, reliable service, and if you don’t do a good job of managing expectations, you’ll end up setting a tone of incoherence and unreliability. While you don’t need to know every last detail about a solution or how long it will take, they will still be worried about timelines.
Reading subtext
Learning to read the subtext when communicating with clients can be invaluable in business negotiations and dating apps. As Mel Gibson’s character shows us in the movie The Social Network reading subtext in an email or a message can help you gain an edge over the other party. If you want to learn more about this important communication technique, check out the Forbes Technology Council, an exclusive community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives.
Managing time zones
When communicating with clients from multiple time zones, it is essential to know the time difference between the countries. Managing time differences can make scheduling meetings and other time-sensitive communications more challenging. Fortunately, many devices are available that allow you to view the time in multiple places simultaneously. For example, you can use a desktop clock to see the time in several different countries. Most calendars will automatically account for time differences, and some of them even convert GMT to PDT automatically.
