In today’s modern and international business world, effective communication is essential. Around 70% of our daily communication happens in writing—think emails, documents, reports, and chat messages.
Despite this, the importance of strong writing skills is often underestimated. For HR and L&D professionals, this translates to regularly dealing with the consequences of poor writing skills within their organisations, resulting in significant costs.
Unclear emails, poorly worded documents, and misunderstandings caused by language barriers don’t just lead to frustration—they also result in inefficiency, miscommunication, and even reputational damage.
In this blog, we’ll explore the pain points, costs, and impacts of poor communication, as well as how organisations can address these challenges.
While they might seem like minor problems at first glance, they can have costly consequences for your organisation.
Unclear emails and errors can quickly cause misunderstandings among colleagues. In the worst-case scenario, this results in mistakes or major consequences for the entire organisation.
Even minor confusion can create doubt and uncertainty.
"Please complete the report."
Problem: No details about which report, deadline, or specific requirements.
Impact: The recipient spends extra time seeking clarification, causing delays.
"We need to discuss the projekt details."
Problem: Spelling and grammatical errors undermine professionalism, especially in international settings.
Impact: Doubts about the sender’s competence and potential misinterpretations.
"Can you handle this ASAP? Thanks."
Problem: In some cultures, this direct approach may come across as rude.
Impact: This could lead to friction between international teams and reduced collaboration.
The result of these seemingly small mistakes? A productivity drop of 20–30%.
Unstructured or unclear communication has a direct impact on productivity. Research shows that employees spend an average of 2.8 hours per week resolving conflicts caused by miscommunication. This can lead to an overall productivity loss of 20–30%.
Example: A team member has to repeatedly ask for clarification about a task. This delays progress and disrupts others’ workflows. What starts as a small problem escalates into a chain reaction of inefficiency.
Poor communication also directly impacts employee engagement.
Ineffective internal communication can lower employee satisfaction by up to 25%, resulting in higher turnover costs and less engaged teams.
The costs of poor communication go beyond lost time or frustrated employees—they strike at the heart of your organisation’s financial health.
Companies lose up to 7.5% of their annual revenue due to inefficiencies and misunderstandings caused by poor communication.
Fixing mistakes and repairing damaged client relationships takes time and significant financial resources.
Organisations with poor internal communication see a 30% drop in innovation because employees are less likely to share information freely and collaborate effectively.
* Source: https://michellevanstijn.nl/blog/de-impact-en-kosten-van-slechte-communicatie-in-bedrijven/
It’s clear: poor writing skills cost businesses time, money, and talent.
Fortunately, HR and L&D professionals can take concrete steps to address this issue:
Invest in writing skills training tailored to business communication in other languages. Customised training based on role and language level enables employees to learn how to communicate effectively and professionally.
Would you like to start a language training program focused on writing skills for your team? We are happy to develop the perfect customized training for you. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Foster a culture where employees receive constructive feedback on their communication. Regular one-on-one sessions or peer reviews can help identify and improve weak points. An internal communication guide can support this process.
Encourage intercultural understanding and awareness of language nuances, especially in international teams. Workshops on cultural differences in communication can help prevent misunderstandings and enhance collaboration.
Have employees practise using real-life examples from their daily work, such as emails and reports. This makes training more relevant and immediately applicable. Consider simulations of business scenarios where clear written communication is crucial.
Leverage tools like grammar checkers or AI-based writing assistants to enhance the quality of written communication. These tools can help employees write better and become more aware of errors.
By investing in these solutions, your company can avoid the costs of poor communication while boosting productivity, employee satisfaction, and innovation.
Improving writing skills is an investment in the future of your organisation.
Not sure where to start? We've already listed our favorite AI tools.
Want to learn how we can help your employees improve their writing and communication skills?
BLCC offers customised language training to help your employees enhance their written communication in languages such as English, French, German, or any other language your business needs.
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help your organisation communicate more efficiently, effectively, and successfully!
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