Blog By: Chad Carlton, Founder & CEO, C2 Strategic Communications
I love PR (public relations). It’s a big part of our work at C2 Strategic Communications. However, the “PR” in the photo above refers to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Island territory where my wife and I recently vacationed.
The week of rest and relaxation — with some adventures built in for good measure — was much needed to restore and refocus. As much as I tried to avoid thinking about work, the importance and impact of effective communication were constant reminders. Here are three examples that made me think:
1. Adaptability
In Puerto Rico, many people naturally develop strong communication skills because they need to switch between English and Spanish seamlessly to accommodate their customers. That adaptability is something businesses everywhere can learn from.
Thought: How much better could you serve customers if you understood and spoke in words and sentences that are more familiar and comfortable to them?
2. Accessibility
Virtually every shop, restaurant and attraction used QR codes to drive customers and visitors to information that was optimal for them. Whether you wanted to know the history of the Spanish-American War or simply what to call those crazy Spanish helmets (morions), communications technology provided answers in seconds with the tap of a phone screen.
QR codes, personalized content and mobile-first experiences are shaping modern communication. Businesses that make their information easy to access — just like in Puerto Rico — are better positioned to connect with their customers.
Thought: How can you provide just the right amount of information for a range of audiences rather than offering one-size-fits-all messaging?
3. Clarity
From billboards and traffic signs to radio chatter and supermarket displays, many messages in Puerto Rico are delivered bilingually. That’s smart in a country conquered and ruled by the Spanish for centuries and eventually acquired by the United States.
Thought: How much time do you spend “translating” the jargon, acronyms and slang of your profession into clear communication that’s understood by people who don’t speak the language of your business?
At C2 Strategic Communications, we simplify business language every day to help clients connect with their target audiences. We turn engineering jargon into plain English, decode government acronyms into familiar terms and transform complex concepts into engaging videos.
By taking time to listen to our clients and think about their own customers, our team of communicators has become fluent in helping really smart, talented people hone their messages to deliver the desired results.
If someone doesn’t clearly understand what you’re saying — in business or in life — you could blame the audience, or you could learn to speak their language. We can help.
