1
00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,741
One of the most important skills to
possess as a professional is the ability

2
00:00:04,741 --> 00:00:07,120
to communicate effectively.

3
00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:12,019
You have to know what to say, how to say
it, when and where to say it, and perhaps,

4
00:00:12,019 --> 00:00:14,300
when it's best to say nothing at all.

5
00:00:15,390 --> 00:00:19,260
All communication is not the same,
especially in a digital world.

6
00:00:19,260 --> 00:00:23,367
Speaking in person with someone is not the
same as speaking to them over the phone or

7
00:00:23,367 --> 00:00:24,620
video chat.

8
00:00:24,620 --> 00:00:28,250
Just as those are different
from emails and text messages.

9
00:00:28,250 --> 00:00:33,850
Deciding which medium to use depends upon
the importance and scope of the message,

10
00:00:33,850 --> 00:00:39,370
as well as the expectations and
availability of everyone involved.

11
00:00:39,370 --> 00:00:44,340
You may be communicating with
an internal client, like colleagues, or

12
00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:49,140
manager, or external contacts
like clients and partners.

13
00:00:49,140 --> 00:00:51,480
But what you might say
to a fellow designer or

14
00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:54,600
developer is not what
you'd say to your client.

15
00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:58,309
So be careful about what you
include in a message, or

16
00:00:58,309 --> 00:01:01,020
what you forward from an email chain.

17
00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:08,030
Relationships with any external contact,
including contractors, sponsors, corporate

18
00:01:08,030 --> 00:01:12,770
partners and more can be very fragile,
so they should be handled with care.

19
00:01:14,580 --> 00:01:17,623
At some point,
you might be asked to provide detail and

20
00:01:17,623 --> 00:01:19,850
explain your work or strategy.

21
00:01:19,850 --> 00:01:23,531
And what you provide could be
the difference between getting a job.

22
00:01:23,531 --> 00:01:25,800
We're losing an opportunity.

23
00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:27,660
So, it's got to be good.

24
00:01:27,660 --> 00:01:32,410
If you're relying on the written word,
you must check for mistakes.

25
00:01:32,410 --> 00:01:37,970
Nothing can sync the impact of your
message like an embarrassing typo.

26
00:01:37,970 --> 00:01:41,363
Effectively communicating also
means translating what or

27
00:01:41,363 --> 00:01:45,040
what you're doing into a language
that others can understand.

28
00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,656
Realize that not everyone has been
trained as a designer or a developer, and

29
00:01:49,656 --> 00:01:53,870
you've got expertise many of your
clients and colleagues may never have.

30
00:01:53,870 --> 00:01:58,334
Keep in mind that when it comes to
projects and proposals, people want to

31
00:01:58,334 --> 00:02:03,820
know that you understand what they want,
that you can speak their language.

32
00:02:03,820 --> 00:02:07,080
And as a result,
you'll be able to work together.

33
00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:10,188
Don't try to impress people with
important sounding buzzwords or

34
00:02:10,188 --> 00:02:14,400
concepts that are just too difficult for
them to wrap their head around.

35
00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:19,200
Get to the point and help them
understand how you can help them.

36
00:02:20,410 --> 00:02:24,870
Being professional also means
projecting a serious tone.

37
00:02:24,870 --> 00:02:27,402
Everyone's different, and
has their own personality,

38
00:02:27,402 --> 00:02:29,810
and you wanna let that shine through.

39
00:02:29,810 --> 00:02:33,200
There's no problem injecting
some humor if it makes sense.

40
00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,068
But if you're pitching a potential client,
or introducing yourself to a higher up at

41
00:02:38,068 --> 00:02:42,191
your company, you wanna make sure that
you come off as a professional and

42
00:02:42,191 --> 00:02:45,593
someone that they'd be willing to talk to,
in the future.

43
00:02:45,593 --> 00:02:50,213
Positive or negative, their first
impression of you might also affect

44
00:02:50,213 --> 00:02:55,420
their impression of your group,
your boss or your company as well.

45
00:02:55,420 --> 00:02:59,814
So while it might not be your intention,
be a great representative for

46
00:02:59,814 --> 00:03:02,430
whatever group or company you're with.

47
00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,211
In addition, you can never be
sure who will ultimately see or

48
00:03:07,211 --> 00:03:09,730
read any messages you send.

49
00:03:09,730 --> 00:03:13,570
Project proposals and
messages make it forwarded along.

50
00:03:13,570 --> 00:03:17,570
Anything you post online
could get seen by anyone.

51
00:03:17,570 --> 00:03:21,496
You can't guarantee that decisions like
hiring you will be in the hands of

52
00:03:21,496 --> 00:03:23,460
the person that you expect.

53
00:03:23,460 --> 00:03:27,720
So, ensure that whatever you
do send is professional and

54
00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,640
focused and relevant and
ready to be seen by anyone.

55
00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:36,390
So, how does effective
communication benefit you?

56
00:03:37,390 --> 00:03:42,300
Well, people will communicate with you,
if you know how to communicate with them.

57
00:03:42,300 --> 00:03:47,066
If you're seeking a job, asking for
help or pitching clients, you have less of

58
00:03:47,066 --> 00:03:51,420
a chance of hearing back, unless you
know what to say, and how to say it.