How to Make Your Message Heard

One of the principles in my chosen profession, marketing, is one of frequency.  To convince consumers that they should buy or utilize your product, you need to tell them more than once.   Conversely, in the workplace, often you hear managers say, "Well, I told them once. . . I'm not going to repeat myself."

Actually, much like the marketing principle, repeating yourself is a very good idea.

People lead very busy lives - you need to make your message heard.  Bet you anything that at your workplace, you have a hundred thousand things going on. . .sometimes it's even hard for you to keep track.  So, if you happened to drop a mention during one of these very busy days, about how you want a detail handled. . .it's very likely, and very human, that the direction could get lost in the shuffle.  Yes, you do need to say it more than once.

Use multiple channels to deliver the same message.  Given a substantial budget, smart marketers will use multiple media channels to deliver the same message because they know that not everyone listens to radio, not everyone uses social media and less people are relying on print advertising.  Same principle applies in the workplace.  Not everyone is an e-mail person.      In face to face conversation, some people are distracted.   Use as many workplace communication channels as is practical to deliver the same message.

Change the creative, but be consistent with the content.  Especially when addressing diverse audiences, marketers will utilize variations on their creative approach, but the content of the message is always the same.    This is a good idea.     This is the value in knowing what's important to  your workplace audience;   change up your delivery of the message to hit your target audience, but be very consistent with the content so that every person who hears your message knows exactly what it is that you wish to accomplish.

It is actually a time-saver (and frustration-buster) to strategize how, and with what frequency, you will deliver the important messages to your team.

Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" offering practical advice for all levels of leaders.  It is available for e-readers, tablets and PCs on Amazon Kindle.