Speak Clearly

Sometimes you don’t need to speak to anyone as you do your daily routine. But when you do, it is important to remember that you are an agent and a brand ambassador of your company. If you expect to communicate clearly, you cannot stumble around like the Mumbles character in Dick Tracy.

Here are a few tips on speaking clearly:

1. Speak slowly and concisely: Customers are often busy with their own daily routine when they approach you. A polite greeting may be enough to capture their attention. Use their name, if you know it and you will surely get their attention. Stop and wait until you have their full attention before speaking. This way you avoid having to repeat yourself or being misunderstood.
2. Speak courteously and politely: Smile inside and smile outside and project a friendly, helpful, and caring professional attitude. The words you speak account for only seven percent of your communication. How you speak or your tone of voice is a major mark of your courtesy and politeness. Your good manners, words such as “please,” “yes,” “hello,” “thank you,” “certainly,” and “good morning,” are always welcome and appreciated in a professional environment. Phrases such as, “Yes, I would be happy to,” or, “It would be my pleasure,” demonstrate a helpful desire to be of service.
3. Avoid slang and acronyms: Avoid slang because it may be perceived as rude or disrespectful. Acronyms may be a quick and efficient way to speak to colleagues at your company. Those same acronyms may not be understood, or worse, be misunderstood by a customer. Slang and acronyms are not effective ways of communicating professionally with your customers.

Speaking clearly respects your customers and the work they entrust to you. Speaking clearly respects your position, profession, and yourselves personally. In order to earn respect, speak respectfully by:

• Speaking slowly and concisely
• Speaking courteously and politely
• Avoiding slang and acronyms