01/12/2010
Small businesses are losing as much as 36 million a week because of drawn out communication practises, new research has found.
T-Mobile's research was conducted among 2,000 small businesses in the UK, of which 86 per cent said they waste time talking to people that do not get to the point. Respondents to the 'Straight Talking' study went on to admit that they spend an average of around four hours a week talking to suppliers, customers, colleagues and partners who struggle to make their point.
The report indicated that these long winded conversations are costing businesses approximately three million work hours a week, which is the equivalent of 36 million based on average hourly earning rates.
Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector, Alex Polizzi, commented on the research. She told Tax Assist: "I've always advocated a straight talking approach in business and T-Mobile's research shows just how much it matters to small business owners."
"It has nothing to do with being rude to people and everything to do with saving time and ultimately money. No matter what the market conditions, small business owners simply don't have the time to waste," she added.
The overuse of jargon, cliches and too much small talk were identified as the biggest giveaways for knowing when someone isn't being straight talking. However, customer service or sales training is one way which businesses can remove this from the culture of the company and ensure staff begin talking more directly with clients, prospects or suppliers.
These training courses can be funded through sales finance which is often a popular financing option because it generates a cash boost quickly.
Hannah McLaverty-Williamson