Communication is the force of many things we do in our lives. Apart from speaking expressions, we can still use non-verbal communication messages and communication platforms. They include computers, cell phones, e-mail, text messaging, websites, Facebook, Twitter, and the like.
The bottom line is that clear communication is the most important key to flourishing leadership in the organization and society. You can read more similar posts on our public relations page of the site.
Introduction
Therefore, to grow as a leader, there is a need to learn how to be a compelling communicator. If we desire our organization and society to succeed, the leader and his/her team have to master the art of communication, as well.
By using these and other strategies, the leader and his/her team can reach new levels of leadership excellence.
Communication skills
No matter where we are in life, communication skills can be very useful in the various situations before us. The benefits it brings in helping us handle tough situations are priceless. Leaders who communicate well make leadership more effective and reasonable.
Good communication is one of the most important characteristics of leadership. A leader can communicate well not only with the people he/she is leading but with external parties as well.
Good leaders tell the absolute truth as it is, without sugar-coating or fearing hurting other people’s feelings. A good leader knows what to teach or preach to get the best out of his/her followers.
Rebuke when necessary, give credit where it is due, encourage when encouragement is needed, and always listen to what the followers have to say. Without effective communication, a leader is not an effective leader.
Good leadership
We all know that communication is the key to good leadership. What is not so clear is how to communicate well. There are some pieces of actionable advice for leaders who want to succeed by communicating well.
The secret to being a good communicator is often not the stimulating speech from the pulpit but more ordinary things. Leaders have to be good listeners, inviting feedback, valuing it, and opening up avenues for communication to flow in both directions.
Communication should be regular if it is to be effective. The old cliché, ‘simplicity plus recognition’ still holds today concerning good communication.
Learning Effective Communication
Learning effective communication helps leaders to communicate more, and as they become better communicators, their efficiency in handling whatever messages are being communicated improves.
Lack of communication may cause society to move forward the way it is supposed to. Good communication can help an organization move successfully and increase numerically and financially.
It is certain that a society that is not well-informed experiences deformation. It would be difficult to accomplish her given mission. It is only clear, concise communication between leadership and followership that can result in achievements.
Ability to Communicate
Leaders must have the ability to communicate to express their points, lead society and bring people together. The more effectively you communicate the message the more you will be understood.
Not communicating the message effectively can result in a breakdown of communication and possibly misinterpretation of your intentions. When communication flows openly, followers feel empowered to express their thoughts and ideas with leadership.
This opens doors for successful accomplishments of the organization and breaks down barriers that develop when communication is damaged.
Ability to convey the message
A leader’s ability to convey the message, listen to those he or she represents, and move the organization forward by engaging another stems from the ability to be a good communicator.
A modern organization manages a complex marketing communication system. What is, therefore, communicated should not be left to chance.
This is because any neglect of effective marketing communication will cause the loss of sales, reduced revenue as well and inadequate profits. We shall discuss here a series of marketing communication channels that can increase sales, revenue, and profits.
1. Marketing Relations
Every organization seeks to influence the attitudes, feelings, and opinions of customers and non-customers, stakeholders, suppliers, and employees. The organization should adopt techniques that will enhance positive marketing relations between it and its stakeholders. The organization can adopt any of the following methods to establish and sustain effective marketing relations.
2. New (Press) Release
A news release is written information used to draw attention to an organization’s event, product, or person affiliated with it. The news release can be submitted to newspapers, magazines, television contacts, key customers, or even the organization’s employees.
3. Feature Articles
A feature article is prepared to focus on the economic impact of an organization’s actions. In certain instances, they are used to respond to negative events or bad publicity about the organization.
4. Press Conferences
Media personnel receive invitations to a specific location, with written materials, photographs, exhibits, and even physical products.
5. Lobbying
Lobbying is an attempt to influence government officials or legislators in promoting or defeating proposed legislation that can affect the operations or marketing activities of the organization.
6. Event Sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship of major events has become a very popular technique for organizations to establish and sustain their identity with the general public.
Sponsorship can range from local events such as Nestle (Milo) schools and colleges football festivals or international events like Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the World Cup’s events.
7. Advertisement
An advertisement is a paid form of non-personal communication about an organization, its products, or its activities that is transmitted through a mass medium to a target audience.
Examples of major advertising media include newspapers, magazines, outdoor displays, television, radio, direct mail, internet, car cards, or directories.
8. Constructing an Effective Display Advertisement or Leaflet
The development of an effective advertisement copy or leaflet requires high-level skills and managers and administrators will be expected to produce from marketing colleagues informed and accurate copy.
The checklist below identifies key components of display advertisements and suggested tips for their design.
9. Visual/Graphic Images
When designing advertising copies, the illustrative material must be up to date and represent the latest model or specification.
One should note that many desktop publishing (DSP) software packages contain pre-drawn ‘clip art’ for instance.
10. Headline
The headline’s prime function is to gain attention and prompt the reader to make the time to absorb the overall message.
Headline styles vary considerably according to their context. Good headlines convey the aim and thrust of the advertisement instantly.
One should remember that he can top and tail advertisements and leaflets effectively with headlines and enlarge the message with statements. One should keep in mind the user and the point size of the typeface selected.
11. Composition and Structure of the Message
In display advertisements, brevity and concise expression need to be emphasized. Facts and figures should be refined to an essential minimum and they should be checked to ensure that they are up-to-date and accurate.
12. Use of White Space
Given the cost of newspaper and magazine advertising, one may be tempted to get his/her money’s worth by cramming as much material into his/her display space as possible. The temptation should be avoided.
It is always worth investing in an area of square centimetres large enough to provide an ample frame for the message and t lend visual impact to the design by surrounding the headlines, streamers, and sections.
13. Action Statements and Follow-Up Instructions
The sender should be given the ‘shortest way home. This is to say that one should compose enthusiastic action prompts.
Print names, phone numbers, and postal addresses boldly. Include the pre-printed reply cut-outs for quick completion. The last technical note is that the advertising copywriter should vet and proofread the draft copy scrupulously.
14. Mass Media
The term ‘mass media refers to the mechanical devices that transmit messages and the devices that store the messages (television, cameras, radio microphone, printing press) as well as the institutions that use those devices to transmit messages.
15. Form of Mass Media
Most people are, daily, exposed to one form of mass media or the other. People may choose from any of the various methods available. They are print and electronic media.
Print media
16. Newspapers
The existence of newspapers dates back to 100 with the introduction of Acta Divurna (action of the day) in Caesar’s Rome which was written on a tablet and posted on a wall after each meeting of the senate Newspapers are read worldwide daily for the following reasons: to
- As the tools for daily living (for example advertising, radio, and, movie listing)
- For relaxation and escape
- For prestige
- For social contact
17. Magazines
The existence of magazines dates back to the mid-1700s as a favourite for the British Elite. Magazines narrow their readership through special versions of the same issue targeted toward specific geographic areas or professions.
As an example, it would not be a surprise to see the West Africa Magazine having a special edition with a special focus on Ghana’s Golden Jubilee celebration of independence.
What should be noted is that new forms of magazines are developing. These are webzines that are magazines on the World Wide Web.
Electronic Media
18. Radio
Radio was the first electronic mass medium to be introduced. It was the first national broadcast medium. Radio produced the networks, programs, genres, and stars that made television an instant success.
It has served as an effective advertising medium because advertisers enjoy the specification of radio. After all, it gives access to homogenous groups of listeners to whom products can be pitched.
19. Television
Mechanical methods of television transmission were developed as early as 1884 by Paul Nipkow, but it was the electronic scanning developed by Zeorykin and Farnworth that moved the medium into its modern age.
Cable, for example, has avoided the network audience shared by providing numerous alternatives for viewers. The world is now gearing up for the full roll-out of digital television.
20. The Internet
Its capabilities include e-mail, mailing list, Usenet, and FTP (Transfer Protocol). But its fastest-growing application is the World Wide Web (www).
The growing number of people online has led to efforts to advertise and sell via the Internet. The Internet transforms every user into a potential mass communicator making freedom of the press a reality for everyone.
21. Social Media
Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Snapchat, Telegram, YouTube, Instagram, and so on have contributed immensely to the business booming and active communication of businesses and organizations.
Editors
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