The companies that succeed at growing their business aren't always the ones with the best product. However, they're almost always the ones that do a better job of communicating with their market than the competition does (of course having a good product helps too!).
Small but mighty teams understand the power that comes from effectively communicating with their target market. They use both conventional and creative communication strategies to share information that moves the company forward while helping customers succeed. Effective communication does not happen by accident -- for your small but mighty team to master communication, they need to actively implement these 5 key communication strategies:
1. Share Information
When only one or two people in the office have all of the important information, two things will happen.
- It leaves your other team members feeling excluded and in the dark.
- It slows your business growth down if one or two people bottleneck your operations.
Small but mighty teams know that in order to foster collaboration, creativity, and efficiency, everyone should have the information that they need. Encourage your team to share ideas, procedures, and important documents that will empower each member to do their job effectively. When only one person holds the key to all of the important info, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Implementing an easy-to-use CRM like HubSpot with it's integrated Sales, Marketing, and Service tools is a very effective way to accomplish this strategy.
2. Stop Having Pointless Meetings
Ever found yourself in a "meeting about a meeting?" Unnecessary meetings are one of the biggest office time wasters. Holding meetings for things that could easily be addressed via a phone call, slack message, or email is not just a waste of your payroll, it's also counterproductive.
Small but mighty teams know the power of one-on-one meetings and appreciate leaders sharing information in a way that is personal and considerate of everyone's schedule. When a meeting is required, a small but mighty team knows the secrets to hold a productive meeting and how to use it to share thoughts and news that will benefit everyone.
It's also smart to only include members who are actively working or contributing to that project. Don't leave everyone in the dark though. Record your meetings or take notes, and then post those notes in your shared workspace or communication platform for reference later.
3. Open Door Policy
When your office door is closed, people are hesitant to approach you for questions or feedback. Lead by example by keeping your door open. This sends a message that you are approachable and available for conversation.
Small but mighty teams make themselves available to others and avoid closing themselves off from the rest of the team. Open doors encourage collaboration and show that you are interested in what your team has to say. Don’t feel bad about shutting your door if you need a quiet moment to yourself, are on a personal phone call, or are having a private meeting; your team will respect this boundary.
If you're remote, discuss your communication preferences with your team. Small but mighty teams can foster the same mindset remotely by ensuring the team knows they can DM whomever to get in touch quickly, and individuals can simply put their phone or software in "do-not-disturb" mode when they need to focus.
4. Encourage Team Building
When teams trust each other, they are much more likely to have honest and open conversations that will lead to company growth. Team building doesn’t have to be forced or awkward; it can simply be strategies that allow team members to connect on a more personal level and strengthen their bonds.
Small but mighty teams communicate better when they feel heard, seen, and respected by their coworkers. Holiday parties, team member trips, and other team-building events help small but mighty teams get to know each other better and foster healthy communication skills.
5. Celebrate Feedback
Small but mighty teams feel empowered to offer feedback and constructive criticism of the company, their peers, and their leadership team without the fear of repercussions. Create a culture where your team feels like they can be honest and transparent and that their concerns will be taken seriously.
Establish multiple avenues for your team to submit ideas, questions, and concerns. When your team feels like they can provide honest feedback, they are more likely to speak up when they see something that could use improvement. Your small but mighty team can master communication by feeling confident to share their feedback and being open-minded to hearing input from others.
Final Thoughts
As a leader of a start-up, it is your job to set the expectations for how your team communicates, both with each other and with customers. Clear communication skills and active listening helps every member of your team understand their role and do their job to the best of their ability.
