We have heard about the hazards of sending mixed messages in our personal lives—to our children, when dating, or in trying to talk with other people. Getting our messages clear and avoiding sending convoluted, mixed messages is important in our home business efforts too.
One of the problems that arise around sending mixed messages in the business realm is that we may be unclear what is happening as well. If you have ever been through a merger or worked for a company that went through some major changes—you know what it is like to be on the receiving end of those mixed messages. I was talking with an old friend who shared that she had received a raise only a few weeks before the company she was working for merged, reorganized and she was laid off. One day she was feeling inspired and rewarded for her hard work and dedication and the next day she was asking herself what went wrong. Even if the changes had absolutely nothing to do with her, she was still affected and still felt confused by the messages the company had sent.
Be clear with your customers and clients—do not tell them you will do something or even that you “think you can pull it off” if you are not sure. Do not promise the world and then retract. Additionally, be certain of changes you are going to make or product/service changes before telling your customers and clients about them whenever possible. If you come out and share that something “might” happen and then come back a week late with other possibilities, your company will come off as unstable (or at least you will) and you will lose your customer’s and client’s trust and confidence. Additionally, people just prefer to work with people where the communication is clear—watch out for those mixed messages.