The 7 C’s of business communication underpin the basics of powerful communication in the workplace.
As humans, we communicate all day long whether that be at home or work. Unfortunately, however, the message doesn’t always come across as intended. This can often lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, or simply an ignorance of the facts being communicated.
The 7 C’s of business communication is essentially a checklist that ensures that you are able to get your message across as intended – whether that is written or verbal.
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
⏱ 14 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
The 7 C’s of Business Communication
Concise
A message is clear when the storyline is consistent with actions to match it. In Robert Cialdini’s Influence, consistency is given great importance to boost the power of persuasion.
The more details there are, the more challenging it will be for listeners to follow and engage. Therefore, when facts are mentioned, they should be followed with supporting information that is consistent. This contributes directly to persuasive business communication.
Complete
Complete communication means imparting the message in a way that helps the audience grasp it exactly as you intended. Where there is a possibility of a misunderstanding, it is better to be complete rather than be concise.
This is especially useful in discussions of a complicated subject or matters that include technical terminology.
If you’re not sure whether you should include a piece of information, consider whether omitting that detail will change the audience’s understanding of the subject.
Coherent
Coherence means organizing your message such that each idea flows systematically into the next, making it easy to follow and make sense of.
In order to be coherent, you should try and understand your audience and tailor your message according to their experiences whenever possible.
Consider conditions such as age groups, environments, backgrounds, and lifestyles of your listeners while wording your message. People respond better when they can relate to the content.
Clarity
Clarity demands clear and plain language from your end. This means short, explicit, and concrete words and sentences. No fuzzy language and cliché expressions.
By keeping it to the point, the recipient will get a clear picture of what you are trying to communicate. Information that is worded briefly puts the emphasis on the essence of the content.
Other points to keep in mind are to omit technical jargon, idioms, and slang. Instead, use active voice and present tense and preface your message with appropriate introductions.
Courteous
Courtesy is more than just good manners. It is about acknowledging your audience’s presence by making eye contact and speaking in a conversational tone.
Here are a few key points to consider:
- Treat your audience with the same respect that you want them to show you.
- Don’t be presumptuous about your listeners.
- Always show appreciation for the time your audience is giving you.
When you are courteous, your audience will actively listen to you and your message will be more than welcome.
Concrete
One of the 7 C’s of business communication is concreteness. This is all about sending a clear message supported by factual material, such as research, data, and figures.
The point is to not leave anything to the imagination and structure a message that demands the audience’s attention with a call to action at the end.
Correct
The facts and figures you use should be factually accurate. Not only that, but your sentences should be grammatically correct to ensure your audience receives them well.
Whenever in doubt, consult a thesaurus or dictionary. You can also use free online tools to check grammar and spelling.
Correct use of language increases trustworthiness allowing you to be taken seriously by the receiver. This positively impacts the way you are able to communicate in a professional setting, helping you establish yourself as a person of value, skill, and knowledge.
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