A Deliberate Communications Platform

A Deliberate Communications Platform.  
What the ...?

What is a “Deliberate Communication Platform”… Jim!  Let’s look at a dictionary definition to begin this discussion.  Actually, let’s begin with a thesaurus instead.

• Deliberate also means Thoughtful, Slow, Unhurried, Measured, Considered, Methodical, Purposeful, Conscious, Intentional, Calculated or Planned.  

• Communication is the exchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs.

• Platform also means Policy, Proposal or Program
  

Your Deliberate Communication Platform could then be described as “the policy or procedures by which your family business partners and team members share information and talk to one another”.  What the…?  “Just say it man!  What is all this mumbo-jumbo?”  I know, I know.  Seems rather academic doesn’t it? 

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As you well know, not everyone communicates the same way and to be more effective, the methods and modes of communication in your family business might need to be further considered and discussed in order to help improve the odds that everyone is heard and that relationships are maintained and enhanced….all leading to a “better business”…however that is defined for you and your family.

"You can change your world by changing the words you use [with each other]."

- Joel Osteen

Your Communications Platform is...

“A prearranged and agreed upon way in which information, ideas, opinions and decisions are shared amongst the various stakeholders in your family business”

Oftentimes, “communication” is listed as one of the top challenges that many businesses face.  Add the family component to a family farm business and now you’ve multiplied the challenge by two or three.  It’s not going away.  To get different results, you must do things differently.  Seems obvious, no?  So let’s explore a little more of what I mean by a Communication Platform.

“A prearranged and agreed upon way in which information, ideas, opinions and decisions are shared among the various stakeholders in your family business” is what I have settled on as the best definition.  

The attitude and professionalism of this “communication”, in all its various forms, can have a big impact on normal, everyday interactions.  In family business situations, the lines are sometimes blurred between business and family and what might be appropriate in a family setting may be totally inappropriate in a business setting and vice versa.  Having a discussion about what is and isn’t acceptable will remove the sometimes blurry lines and help prevent hurtful or unproductive communication in the business place.

Now, the occasional argument and getting downright angry at someone is perfectly OK and happens.  After all, we’re all human.  The way this is dealt with after-the-fact is a top concern though.  If left unfinished or if bitterness grows and continues for years and years, well, families break up over this kind of stuff.  Remember the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s?   Let’s try and not have that happen in your family business.

Everyone's natural communication style is influenced by their experiences, beliefs and values.

The tone of your family farm has been set with your previous work on the foundations of your professional management system; vision, mission and core values.  As you continue fine-tuning your family farm management system, these statements will be referred to often when establishing other policies and/or decision making.  That was the whole point of those exercises.  Management sets the tone and others follow management’s lead.  Indeed these things take time to explore.  In the long-run, the benefits far outweigh the costs and investment in time and energy.

Over the next several weeks we will further explore the areas of your Deliberate Communication Platform, which include:

• Understanding Your Natural Behaviors
  
• Code of Expected Behavior (aka Code of Conduct or Communication Pledge)
  
• Conflict Resolution Policy
  
• Rules for Entering the Family Business
  
• Meeting Schedules, Standing Agendas and Keeping Notes
  
• Rules for Meetings
  
• Personal Accountability
  
• Standard Operating Procedures