Companies are bleeding money because they don't take communication seriously

Communication is not a soft skill. On the contrary, when done poorly, as it often is, it costs business millions of dollars annually. Helen Wilkie's new business fable, "The Hidden Profit Center", illustrates just how money is drained away through poor communication, and then provides a plan to reverse the trend.

(PRWEB) September 22, 2003 --Business people pay lip service to the need for good communication, but they don't typically work very hard or spend much money on making it a reality.

Author and communication specialist Helen Wilkie believes this would change if business leaders realized poor communication is costing them money. Real, hard dollars. Every day.

According to Wilkie, money is continuously lost through everyday "leaks" caused by ineffective communication. Three examples that just scratch the surface are:

•   Routine meetings held every week whether there is a need or not, running twice as long as they should and involving people who have nothing to contribute. Those running the meetings lack the skills needed to stay on track and reach the meeting's objectives. Meetings cost money!

•   Salespeople who have made the same pitch so often, they even bore themselves. This happens despite training, so managers are often unaware that poor communication habits continue to sabotage sales. Lost sales cost money!

•   High level executive time wasted in listening to endless presentations that fail to convey necessary information, despite the many hours spent in preparing them. Time costs money!

Most business people never think of these communication failures in terms of actual dollar cost. In her new book, "The Hidden Profit Center-a tale of profits lost and found through communication", Wilkie uses the vehicle of a business fable to draw attention to this hidden cost of doing business.

She then points out that by eliminating these and other communication gaps, this lost money can be rerouted directly to the bottom line-hence communication is "The Hidden Profit Center".

The book is available in bookstores, and can also be ordered online at www.HiddenProfitCenter.com or by calling 1-866-HID-PROF.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: To receive a review copy of the book, go to the Press Room at http://www.HiddenProfitCenter.com.
Helen Wilkie is available for interview and will accommodate last-minute deadlines if her schedule permits. Call her at 416-966-5023.