“Communication is at the very core of our society. That’s what makes us human.” – Jan Koum
We couldn’t agree more with the co-founder of WhatsApp, who went from a life on food stamps to selling his company to Facebook for $19 billion.
Communication is also at the very core of business. Whether it’s a weekly team meeting, a sales call with a potential customer, or a presentation to a current customer, clear and effective communication is tantamount to your success. But your company communication isn’t just up to you; Koum manages a team of nearly 100 people all tasked with growing the WhatsApp brand.
By Emma Seckinger
So how do you arm your people — the team who can build and grow your business — with great communication skills? Recognize that they are your greatest asset and invest in their professional development. Communication training can be transformative not only for the individual participant but for your business as a whole.
And while we can’t promise a billion-dollar acquisition at the end of a training, here are seven outcomes you can expect:
1. Increase Sales:
Anyone who’s ever been to a car dealership or chatted on the phone with their cable company knows that communication can make or break a deal. Great communication empowers us to form connections, influence decisions, and motivate change. And it’s not just about what you say — it’s how and when you say it. Our CORE: Base training dives into the brain science behind how people send and receive information and provides a toolkit of approaches to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. Employees learn how to apply these skills instantly, so you don’t have to wait months to see an impact.
2. Inspire Innovation:
At LifeHikes, we’re not just coaching speakers. We’re coaching leaders. While our CORE: Base methodology is grounded in speaking and presentation principles, the program also provides employees with tools and tricks to observe, listen, become more adaptable, and blend creativity with professionalism. It’s a unique and powerful balance of skills that can improve meeting outcomes, increase collaboration, and inspire new ideas.
3. Boost Morale
Your full-time team members spend at least 40 hours per week together. And while we don’t bill it as relationship counseling, CORE: Base can certainly have that impact. Communication is the foundation of constructive and cooperative workplace relationships; CORE: Base participants learn everything from body language and voice modulation to forging emotional connections — all skills that will positively impact interactions between coworkers, bosses and employees, customers, and partners.
This sense of camaraderie and support doesn’t just stop at training day. We provide participants with follow-up exercises and group activities so they can continue to practice what they’ve learned together.
4. Increase Talent Retention & Attraction
According to LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends 2016, 59% of companies invested more in their employer brand last year than in 2015, and with good reason. Workplace culture and employee engagement are a driving force in attracting — and keeping — talent. 87% of millennials say professional development or career growth opportunities are very important (Gallup), and 68% of workers say training and development is THE most important workplace policy (EdenRed). Your people are your greatest asset; investing in their development is a direct investment back into your business. So why not invest in a program that gives employees a lifelong, highly impactful, and instantly applicable skillset?
This sense of camaraderie and support doesn’t just stop at training day. We provide participants with follow-up exercises and group activities so they can continue to practice what they’ve learned together.
5. Connect With World-Class Mentors
You could certainly offer webinars and guest lectures or send your employees to industry conferences. Or, you could provide them the unique opportunity to participate in intimate, hands-on trainings with some of the world’s top professionals. Our coaches are wildly successful CEOs and entrepreneurs whose work ranges from leadership roles with NATO to consulting at Fortune 100 companies. They’ve led transformative trainings at major companies like Facebook, MTV, and Google. Their best-in-class expertise means they tap into each participant’s’ needs and provide exceptional outcomes in minutes, not months.
Combine Different Approaches: Explore a combination of learning methods, such as using apps for foundational knowledge and participating in project-based learning activities for real-world application.
6. Increase Profits
According to Workplace Research Foundation, increasing employee engagement investments by just 10% can increase profits by $2,400 per employee, per year. In March, Harvard Business Review found that companies who invest in “employee experience” not only outperform those who don’t; they are also four times as profitable. Own The Room’s CORE: Base training is uniquely suited to help you increase profits; not only will your employees feel empowered and supported, they’ll be equipped with the foundational communication skills that are at the core of your business growth.
How can you can unleash your team’s potential to grow, influence, motivate and sell?