I find it truly amazing that we are able to send a single thought, or a million pages, around the globe with a click of a button. And, I hope to learn more about the existing technologies that make this possible, as I go forward in my studies.
Possibly just as fascinating though, is that no matter how advanced our communication technologies may become, one can never forget the basic principles of communicating:
1) Know your audience.
2) Know your purpose.
3) Know your topic.
4) Anticipate objections.
5) Present a rounded picture.
6) Achieve credibility with your audience.
7) Follow through on what you say.
8) Communicate a little at a time.
9) Present information in several ways.
10) Develop a practical, useful way to get feedback.
11) Use multiple communication techniques.
During our Pre-work Communication Meetings (PCM's) we have 3 minutes to get our point across to as many as one hundred drivers/students. Over the years we have used printed material (hand-outs), video clips, audio recordings, face-to-face delivery, computer based teaching (CBT's) , and combinations of various methods to encourage our employees to think about the subject matter being taught during a PCM. But, sometimes one simply has to get "grounded". In order to get the most information to the largest number of people I created a "chalk-talk" or "sidewalk-talk" PCM, for one of our larger centers. This format allowed each of the drivers time to view the information at their own pace, as they arrived in the distribution center. After allowing everyone to "clock-in", I presented the 3 minute PCM on cholesterol.
Feedback from the drivers was simply amazing.
So as I learn some of the newest technologies for communicating, I must not forget to use the appropriate communication technique for my audience...............whether its
a piece of chalk, or a computer.
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