Clarity Wins: The Hidden Cost of Poor Communication
Every business talks about efficiency, growth and innovation. But the truth is, most organisations are bleeding resources in a place they rarely look: communication.
We don’t mean complex software systems or corporate slide decks. We mean the simple, everyday words that get lost in translation.
Phrases like ‘increase engagement,’ ‘raise awareness,’ or ‘deliver world-class service’ sound good in a boardroom, but end up meaning different things to different people. And that gap, between intentions and interpretation, is where time, money and energy quietly drain away.
The Cost of Fuzziness:
The numbers never call it out directly. But you will feel poor communication in:
- Wasted time: hours spent clarifying and reworking.
- Frustrated teams: staff second-guessing what’s expected, leading to stress and burnout.
- Missed opportunities: vague strategies that never quite land with customers or stakeholders.
It doesn’t take many misfires before the ripple effect reaches clients, partners and investors. What starts as a fuzzy objective initially ends up as disappointment externally.
Why Language Matters:
At OVM, we believe marketing should make things clearer, not more complicated. The words you use shape the actions people take. If your message isn’t crystal clear, your teams and audiences will fill in the blanks themselves, and rarely in the same way.
That’s why we put emphasis on story-driven strategy. It’s not about stripping language down until it’s bland, it’s about sharpening it until everyone understands exactly what success looks like and feels motivated to get there.
When we worked with the Allergy Centre of Excellence, for example, their challenge was to ‘raise awareness.’ On paper, that sounded fine. But we helped them pin it down: which audience, what level of awareness, how to measure it, and why it mattered. The outcome? A sharper strategy, stronger engagement, and a clear path to growth.
Our Rule: Be CLEAR:
To cut through the noise, we stress-test language against one simple rule: is it CLEAR?
- Complete: no room for interpretation.
- Language with intent: no empty buzzwords.
- Energising: people want to act on it.
- Actionable: tied to a real step, not wishful thinking.
- Realistic: ambitious but achievable.
‘Raise awareness’ fails the test.
‘Increase website traffic by 20% in six months through targeted campaigns’ passes.
Clarity is a Competitive Advantage:
The businesses that thrive aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or boldest slogans. They’re the ones where everyone, from leadership to frontline staff, knows exactly what success looks like and how to deliver it.
That’s what we bring to the table at OVM. Not more jargon, not more noise. Just structure, clarity and energy in your communications, so your message cuts through and your team can focus on what matters.
Because when it comes to business growth, clarity always wins.