SEVEN C’S PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Good communication skills are obviously a very valuable employability characteristic. The work environment responds positively to effectively communicated ideas, knowledge and company-related proposals. Especially in this fast-paced era where technology has made connecting people so much easier, more is expected of employees. Job advertisements in print and online often include good communication skills as prominent parts of the job requirement. Not only is this important in business leadership situations but good oral and/or written communication skills are almost always a prerequisite for job promotion and career growth. Seven “Cs” are identified as qualities of good communication. The following can even serve as an easyto-remember checklist you can refer to before you deliver your message. According to the 7 C’s, communication needs to be: Clear Concise Concrete Coherent Complete Courteous 1. Clear When writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your purpose in communicating with this person? If you’re not sure, then your audience won’t be sure either. To be clear, try to minimize the number of ideas in each sentence. Make sure it is easy for your reader/audience to understand your meaning. People shouldn’t have to “read between the lines” and make assumptions on their own to understand what you’re trying to say. Familiar words After Pretentious words subsequent Home domicile Pay remuneration Invoice statement of payment Clarity makes comprehension easier. People should be able to understand the purpose of your message quickly and easily. Here are some specific ways to help make your messages clear: 1. Choose short, precise, concrete, familiar, conversational words. 2. Construct effective sentences and paragraphs. 3. Include examples, illustrations, and other visual aids, when desirable. 2. Concise When you’re concise in your communication, you stick and keep it brief. Your audience doesn’t want to read six sentences when you could communicate your message in three. Are there any adjectives or “filler-words” that you can delete? You can often eliminate words like “for instance”, “you see”, “definitely”, “kind of”, “literally”, “basically”, or “I mean”. Are there any unnecessary sentences? Have you repeated the point several times, in different ways? Eliminate wordy expressions. Include only relevant material. Avoid unnecessary repetition. Single words instead of long phrases. For example: Due to the fact because In due course soon At this time now Few in number few On a weekly basis weekly In spite of the fact that… although Conciseness saves time Keep your message as short as possible. 3. Concrete Communicating concretely means being specific, definite, rather than unclear and general. It means your message is practical and useful. You provide the right amount of detail, and stay focused on your main message. When your message is concrete, then your audience has a clear picture of what you’re telling them. There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts, and there’s a laser-like focus. Your message is solid. Use specific facts and figures. Put Action in your Verbs. Choose vivid, image-building words. Some Vague Words Slightly small Soon A few Almost Several etc Concreteness reinforces confidence. 4. Correct Your communication is free of errors and mistakes. If it is written, make sure you proofread it. When your communication is correct, it fits your audience. Do the technical terms you use fit your audience’s level of education or knowledge? Have you checked your writing for grammatical errors? Remember spell checkers won’t catch everything. Are all names and titles spelled correctly? Use the right level of language. Check accuracy of figures, facts and words. Maintain acceptable writing mechanics. Correctness in message helps in building confidence. 5. Coherent When your communication is coherent, it’s in a logical order. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text is consistent and well constructed. 6. Complete In a complete message, the audience has everything they need to be informed and if applicable, take action. Does your message include a “call to action”, so that your audience clearly knows what you want them to do? Have you included all relevant information-contact names, dates, times, locations, and so on? Provide all necessary information. Answer all questions asked. Give something extra when desirable. Focus on Five “W’s”. Completeness brings desired response. For Example, when factory supervisor instructs workers to produce, he must specify the exact size, shape, quality and cost of the product. Any assumption behind the message should also be clarified. 7. Courteous Courteous communication is friendly, open, and honest, there are no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. You keep your reader’s viewpoint in mind, and you’re empathetic to their needs. Be Sincerely Tactful, Thoughtful and Appreciative. Use Expressions that Show Respect. Omit expressions that irritate, or hurt. Choose Non-discriminatory Expressions. Courteous message help to strengthen present business friendships, as well as make new friends. Courtesy strengthens relationship Consideration Consideration underlies the other six C’s of good business communication. You adapt your language and message content to your receiver’s needs when you make your message complete, concise, concrete, clear, and correct. Consideration means that you prepare every message with the audience in mind and try to put yourself in his place. Try to visualize your readers(listeners) with their desires. Then handle the matter from their point of view. Focus on “you” attitude instead of “I” or “we”. Show reader/receiver benefit or interest in reader/receiver. Emphasize positive, pleasant facts. Apply integrity and ethic. Consideration nature. helps in understanding human