THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME
Oct 21, 2023
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The pandemic has accelerated companies' shift into the digital age. We have picked up new technologies at a faster pace and we’ve proven that remote work can work. But the foundations of high performing teams are the same as ever, with or without the latest technology.
Great communication is one of those foundational elements of high performing teams. It is the difference between a group of talented individuals and a well-oiled machine running full steam ahead.
Years ago, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos famously banned Powerpoint presentations in favor of brief memos. I think Bezos was really onto something.
A well written email is the most clear, concise way to communicate- whether it’s to emphasize priorities, raise an issue, propose a solution, or share a progress update.
It’s a bit funny to think that in our personal lives we’ve devolved from writing letters to texting emojis. Yet, these same technologies are making writing even more important in business settings.
Over the last two years, I’ve seen some folks struggle with a new greater emphasis on writing to be successful. Many were accustomed to long in-person meetings and water cooler chats to effectively communicate.
I really appreciate the way writing disciplines our thinking. To write a quality memo, you have to first think very clearly and carefully about what you want to communicate, and how best to transmit that message.
Sometimes people tell me “I’m not a good writer”. I encourage them to think differently. In the business world, we don’t need to write Shakespeare. In fact, good writing is usually 80% thinking then 20% writing. And we all know how to think.
In school, writing used to be considered one of the foundational skills that kids learned, but somewhere along the way, that has eroded. Yes, analytical, tech, and social skills still matter. But writing matters too, now more than ever.
That is why when Alliance is hiring, we value candidates who can write well. We’re not looking for poets, but they have to be clear and concise writers if they’re going to be real contributors.
The world has changed, but some old skills are timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the importance of communication in the workplace?
The importance of communication in the workplace is evident in how it strengthens alignment and clarity when teams analyze complex concepts like residuals or financial metrics, as explained in this guide on residual value and how to calculate it. Clear communication reduces risk when reviewing real estate development risks, interpreting residual land value, or evaluating commercial property appraisals that require precise understanding. Strong messaging also helps leaders connect ideas such as the rent multiplier, what is triple N, and commercial building appraisals to operational decisions. Ultimately, disciplined thinking and communication support better judgment in environments where even subtle insights like what does GRM stand for can influence outcomes.
Why is effective communication important in the workplace?
Effective communication in the workplace ensures teams make accurate decisions quickly when interpreting financial details, such as how do you calculate a residual, analyzing a building depreciation schedule, or reviewing formal commercial real estate appraisals. Leaders with strong communication skills reduce misunderstandings when comparing metrics like residual value vs salvage value, assessing main risk of real estate, or reviewing triple net lease investing options. Clear communication also supports sound judgment in areas tied to industrial real estate demand, ethical real estate investing, and cap rate interpretations. This alignment strengthens organizational performance, especially when handling insights related to real estate investment risk analysis or evaluating is commercial real estate a good investment right now.
How to develop business communication skills?
To develop strong business communication skills, practice expressing complex real estate and financial ideas, such as depreciation or valuation, in simple, structured language similar to guides on the commercial real estate depreciation impacts. Clarity increases when you refine written communication in business, ensuring concepts like residual value depreciation formula, useful life of commercial building, or what is ESG in real estate are easy for teams to act on. Leaders strengthen communication by explaining market indicators such as gross profit multiplier, demographic shifts, or topics like what is residual value in accounting, which connects directly to strategic planning. Over time, this disciplined communication style supports decisions across tasks involving residual value calculator use, evaluating types of CRE loans, or analyzing opportunities for young real estate investors.
Why is effective written communication important in business?
Effective written communication in business is essential for making accurate decisions about valuation, tax treatment, and risk, especially when reviewing frameworks such as residual value depreciation or learning how financial terms work using tools such as the GRM guide for investors. Clear writing reduces errors when leaders interpret real estate investment risk analysis, understand the building residual technique, or evaluate the main risk of real estate using insights found in real estate investment risks. It also helps teams communicate financial insights like how to find residual value accounting or determining if salvage value and residual value are the same with precision that drives better outcomes. This disciplined clarity reinforces the ongoing importance of communication in the workplace, particularly when decisions affect long-term assets, tax strategy, and organizational risk.










