answersLogoWhite

0

Do you design your communications or do they just kind of happen? When your communication is important -- that is, when you want it to be remembered -- you need to think carefully and design it to resonate with your intended audience.

Designing your communication is an iterative process. It begins at a high level, with good questions and good listening; and ends in details; constructing a presentation, document, system or user experience.

You can improve your communication by thinking about seven "C's" of communication design: The seven C's lay out a simple sequence which can help you start broadly and work your way down to specifics.

Here are the C's, in order:

1. Context.

What's going on? Do you understand the situation? Is there a dead elephant in the middle of the room that you're not aware of? Ask good questions. You'll need a clear goal before you begin to design any communication. Ask: who are you talking to and what do you want them to do?

2. Content.

Based on your goal, define a single question that your communication is designed to answer. This is the best possible measure of communication effectiveness. What do you want your audience to walk away with and remember? Once you have defined your prime question, set out to answer it. What information is required? Do you have the answer already, or do you need to search it out?

3. Components.

Before you build anything, break down your content into basic "building blocks" of content. Formulate the information into clusters and groups. What patterns emerge? How can you make the information more modular? Given your goal, what is the most fundamental unit of information? You can use index cards to break down information into modules.

4. Cuts.

This is one of the hardest parts of the process and most often neglected. People's attention will quickly drift -- they expect you to get to the point. Learn to edit. Kill your little darlings.

5. Composition.

Now it's time to design the way you will tell your story. Think in terms of both written and visual composition. When writing; who are your main characters? How will you set up the scene? What are the goals and conflicts that will develop? How will the story reach resolution? In visual terms; where will the reader begin? How will you lead the eye around the page? In all your compositional thinking; how will you engage your audience? How will you keep them engaged? Writing it down forces you to think it through.

6. Contrast.

What are the differences that matter? Use contrast to highlight them: Big vs. little; rough vs. smooth; black vs. white. When making any point, ask, "in comparison with what?" Contrast is a trigger to the brain that says "pay attention!"

7. Consistency.

Unless you're highlighting differences, keep things like color, fonts, spacing and type sizes consistent to avoid distracting people. Research shows that any extraneous information will detract from people's ability to assimilate and learn.

  • Completeness
  • Conciseness
  • Consideration
  • Clarity
  • Concreteness
  • Courtesy
  • Correctness

Correctness: To be correct in communication the following principles should be borne in mind.

  1. Use the correct level of language
  2. Include only facts words and figures
  3. Maintain acceptable writing mechanics
  4. Apply the following qualities
  5. There should be proper grammar punctuation spelling and paragraphing

Conciseness: Business executives are dead-busy. They don't have time to go through unnecessarily lengthy messages. The writer is also a loser if he writes wordy messages because it involves more time and money to type and read. Conciseness makes the message more understandable and comprehensible

  1. Eliminate wordy Expressions.
  2. Include only relevant material.
  3. Avoided unnecessary Repetition.

Clarity: Clarity demands that the business message should be correct concise complete concrete and with consideration

  1. Use the right level of language
  2. Proper punctuation make the writing clear
  3. Check Accuracy of fact figure & Words

Completeness: The message should be complete to bring desirable results. It should include everything the reader needs for the reaction you desire. You must know what information our reader wants or needs You should be able to know the reader's background viewpoint needs attitudes and emotions.

  1. Provide all necessary information.
  2. Answer all questions asked.
  3. Give something Extra, when Desirable.

Concreteness: The business writing should be specific definite unambiguous and vivid rather than vague and general The following guidelines lead to concreteness.

  1. Use specific facts and figures
  2. Put action in your verb
  3. Choose vivid image building words.

Consideration: Consideration refers to you attitude sympathy the human touch and understanding of human nature. Consideration means the message with the receiver in mind. You should try to visualize your readers their desires problems emotions circumstances and possible reaction to your request.

  1. Focus on you instead I & We
  2. Show reader benefit or interest in reader
  3. Emphasize

Courtesy: Courtesy is more important and advantageous in business writing than it is in face to face communication or conversation. Courteous message strengthen present relations and make new friends. It is a goodwill building.

  1. Answer your mail promptly
  2. Be sincerely tactful thoughtful and appreciative
  3. Use expressions that show respect
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What are the 8 Cs of business communication?

CompletenessClarityConcisenessConcretenessCourtesyCorrectnessCheerfulness


What are the 7c in business communication?

The seven Cs of effective communication are:completenessconcisenessconsiderationclarityconcretenesscourtesycorrectness


What is the importance of completeness one of the 7 C's of business communication?

7,cs with excemples?


Examples of 7 c's of communication?

The 7 Cs, communication are:Clear.Concise.Concrete.Correct.Coherent.Complete.Courteous.


One of the two big Cs of defensive driving is?

Communication


What are the four Cs of character traits?

Communication, confirmation, confinement, concealment


What are Seven Cs of communication?

The Seven Cs of communication are: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous. These principles are important for effective communication in various contexts to ensure that messages are delivered clearly and understandably.


What is the Relevance of communication to business communication?

you can't spell "business communication" w/o "communication"..


Difference between social communication and business communication?

The formality of business communication and that of social communication narrowly differs. Business communication is more formal and detailed.


What are the meanings of the brief in business communication?

what is a brief in business communication


Types of External Communication?

In business external communication is communication with people outside of the company. Internal communication refers to communication within the business.


Why is communication the lifeblood of a business organization?

Is communication the lifeblood of a business organization?