In a business context, most people think of clear communications in terms of their customers. But it is also important to communicate well with your suppliers.
For instance, someone I know recently ended a project because his client gave him insufficient and contradictory information. This client had prepared a brief but work done to match that brief was rejected!
Obviously communication is a two way thing but if you make your needs straight forward it is more likely a supplier will give you what you want.
1. Specify anything mandatory – e.g the logo must always be on a white background or the newsletter must be ready by the 1st of each month
2. Explain your ideas - a rough sketch is ok as long as it is labelled
3. avoid jargon unless you are sure the supplier understands it the same way you do – that includes using their jargon if you aren’t sure of it yourself!
4. write or talk as if they are a customer – clearly, concisely and politely.
Tags: business, clear, communicating, customer, explain, suppliers, talk, write