Academic research suggests that sixty per cent of management problems are due to faulty communication. This is a frightening thought, or, perhaps on the other hand, it's an incredible opportunity?

Investment in organisational communication that is effective clearly has the potential to radically improve productivity and effectiveness. So why is it not more widely accepted and practiced in all organizations? And where it is used, why is it often still perceived to be little more than information giving, or having a big intranet, where the results never seem to meet expectations?

Perhaps it is because, as George Bernard Shaw wisely observed, “the greatest problem with communications is the illusion it has been accomplished”. Successful communication can be hard to judge, and find. Instinctively, we know that fewer mistakes will be made if communication levels could be better. And, employees are more motivated if managers are good communicators (and that includes listening!).

The truth is that effective communication requires serious commitment, research, and adapting advanced techniques to widely varying contexts.