UBC News

Why Your Business Needs Communication Skills Workshops to Stop Bleeding Money

Episode Summary

New research reveals that poor workplace communication is costing small businesses over $400,000 annually, while Gen Z workers struggle with digital communication tools. Discover why leaders invest in communication skills workshops to gain 25% productivity and protect their bottom line. Visit https://www.communicatepowerfully.com/communication-training-workshops for more info.

Episode Notes

If you're a business leader listening to this today, I've got a sobering statistic for you. Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z workers in your organisation likely experience miscommunications at work due to digital communication tools. This comes from recent New Zealand research from UKG. But here's the thing, this is a business crisis that's probably costing you more than you realise. As a leader, you already know communication matters, but you may not grasp the actual financial impact of getting it wrong. So what is poor communication actually costing your business? Research from SHRM reveals that miscommunication costs companies with one hundred employees an average of four hundred and twenty thousand dollars per year. If you're running a larger organisation, this figure jumps to sixty-two point four million dollars annually. These numbers are likely hitting your bottom line right now. According to global research from Pumble, eighty-six percent of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures, indicating you're looking at a systemic issue affecting every department in your organisation. The New Zealand Workplace Barometer adds another dimension you need to consider. Only fifty-two point two percent of workers achieve psychosocial safety climate scores above best-practice thresholds. This indicates widespread communication environment deficiencies that are directly impacting your employee wellbeing and performance. Here's the frustrating part. While you're losing hundreds of thousands to poor communication, your competitors who invest in effective communication are seeing remarkable returns. Teams with strong communication practices increase productivity by up to twenty-five percent, according to Pumble's workplace communication research, with sixty-four percent of business leaders confirming this direct correlation. Yet you're probably doing what most leaders do, prioritising technical skills development over communication competencies. This is despite evidence from the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey showing that fifty-seven percent of global employers consider communication the most desirable skill in potential recruits. What does your workforce actually need? The shift to hybrid and remote work has amplified the communication challenges you're already facing. New Zealand research from UKG shows that seventy-one percent of Gen Z workers in your meetings struggle to contribute effectively in video conferences, while global research from Pumble indicates that sixty-three percent of your employees report wasting time due to communication issues. Your communication training investment needs to address several key areas. First, digital communication mastery. Your teams need skills in crafting clear, concise digital messages that reduce the back-and-forth confusion you see daily in email chains. Second, multi-generational communication. Your workforce spans different generations with different communication preferences. Training must build bridges between these groups while respecting their distinct styles. Third, conflict resolution. Poor communication in your organisation often escalates into workplace conflicts. Teaching proactive resolution techniques prevents small misunderstandings from becoming major disruptions that require your intervention. And fourth, listening and feedback skills. Your managers need active listening and constructive feedback delivery skills, competencies many assume everyone possesses naturally, but most don't. When you invest in communication training, you'll see benefits that extend far beyond productivity gains. Research indicates that your organisation can expect twenty-five percent higher productivity in well-connected teams, reduced employee turnover saving you recruitment and training costs, improved customer satisfaction scores, faster project completion times, and better crisis management capabilities when challenges arise. The New Zealand Workplace Barometer found that seventy percent of organisations offer some form of communication training, yet persistent communication challenges suggest many programmes miss the mark on practical application. Your investment needs to be different. The most effective communication training programmes you can implement focus on real workplace scenarios your teams face daily rather than theoretical concepts. They provide opportunities for practice and feedback, and address both digital and face-to-face communication skills. Your programme should recognise that communication isn't one-size-fits-all. Account for your specific industry challenges, roles, and organisational culture while building core competencies that transfer across your entire business. Remember that communication is ongoing development, not a one-time training event. Regular reinforcement and skill building create the lasting behavioural changes you need to see real results. As your workplace becomes increasingly distributed and diverse, communication skills will only grow more critical to your success. If you invest now in comprehensive communication training, you'll build competitive advantages that compound over time. The choice is clear. Continue absorbing the hidden costs of poor communication in your organisation, or invest in communication skills workshops that will deliver measurable returns through improved productivity, engagement, and performance. Click the link in the description to learn more. Communicate Powerfully City: Oropi Address: 34/39 Pukemapu Rd Website: https://www.communicatepowerfully.com/