You’re managing communication in a Corporate Real Estate project. What are the best practices?

1 Know your audience

Before you start any communication, you need to understand who you are talking to and what they need to know. Different stakeholders have different interests, preferences, and levels of expertise. For example, senior executives may want a concise overview of the project status and risks, while technical staff may need more details and specifications. You should tailor your communication style, format, and content to suit your audience and their expectations.

2 Use the right tools

There are many tools and channels that you can use to communicate with your project team and stakeholders, such as emails, reports, meetings, presentations, dashboards, and apps. However, not all tools are equally effective for every purpose or situation. You should choose the tools that best match your communication goals, such as informing, persuading, collaborating, or resolving issues. You should also consider the frequency, urgency, and complexity of your communication, and use the tools that are most convenient and accessible for your audience.

3 Establish a communication plan

A communication plan is a document that outlines the objectives, methods, roles, and responsibilities of communication for your project. It helps you to define what, when, how, and to whom you will communicate throughout the project lifecycle. A communication plan also helps you to avoid confusion, duplication, or omission of information, and to ensure consistency and alignment of your messages. You should create a communication plan at the beginning of your project, and update it as needed to reflect any changes or feedback.

4 Monitor and evaluate communication

Communication is not a one-way process. You also need to listen and respond to the feedback and input from your project team and stakeholders. You should monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your communication, and measure it against your communication objectives and indicators. You should also solicit and act on the suggestions and concerns of your audience, and address any communication gaps or challenges. By doing so, you can improve your communication quality and outcomes, and build trust and rapport with your project partners.

5 Be clear and concise

One of the most common communication pitfalls in CRE projects is ambiguity or verbosity. If your communication is unclear or too long, you risk losing the attention or understanding of your audience, or creating confusion or misunderstanding. You should avoid using jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with, or explain them if necessary. You should also use simple and direct language, and structure your communication in a logical and coherent way. You should highlight the key points and actions, and provide relevant and accurate information.

6 Be proactive and positive

Communication is not only about sharing information, but also about influencing attitudes and behaviors. You should use communication as a tool to motivate, inspire, and engage your project team and stakeholders, and to foster a positive and collaborative project culture. You should communicate proactively and regularly, and anticipate and address any potential issues or risks before they escalate. You should also communicate the achievements and successes of your project, and recognize and appreciate the contributions and efforts of your project partners.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?