Most people are afraid of communicating in public places, but it is important to note that effective oral communication is a key skill that one should possess in order to be successful in business.
Here are some communication strategies for effective communication in business.
1. Organise your thoughts.
By organising your thoughts you will be able to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. This will make you be strategic and confident in your approach.
2. Speak slowly, naturally and confidently.
By speaking slowly one might think that you are confident even if you are not. Being natural will give you confidence and this will allow people to clearly understand what you are saying.
3. Breathe properly.
Try not to breathe heavily as this normally is a sign of anxiety and might give your audience the impression that you are not sure of what you are saying.
4. Use your body to reinforce your speech.
Body language is very important when you are pitching your idea. Sending the wrong body signal which does not match what you are trying to explain can lead to the wrong interpretation of your message.
5. Manage your facial expression.
Non-verbal cues can send the wrong message to people. Try to match your facial expressions with your words.
6. Handle nervousness.
The feeling of nervousness can make you say the right thing at the wrong place and to the wrong people. Failing to manage your nerves will cause you not to organise your thoughts properly.
7. Always integrate your voice modulation, eye contact, and hand gesture into a powerful and engaging communication tool.