Good communication skills in the workplace can improve performance, reduce conflict and exchange vital business information Julie Preece says.

As the Bermuda Insurance Institute?s Director of Training and Education Ms Preece said the cost of ineffective skills is not something people in the business world think about too much but is something that needs to be recognised.

?Good communication skills can get better results without damaging working relationships, and help employees deal with difficult conversations in professional and personal situations,? Ms Preece said.

David Seibel President of Boston based Insight Partners which is presenting a workshop on Effective Communication on October 28 at the Bermuda Insurance Institute, said the cost of ineffective communication be significant.

?Most people will have the skill of effective conversation most of the time but there are certain times when each of us has a difficult conversation to confront.?

?Effective communication can give you the ability to handle the most difficult conversations, reduce conflict, prevent missed opportunities to create value, increase morale, improve employee retention and focus on the exchange of vital business information.?

The workshop is aimed at corporate executives, board members, corporate counsel and personnel involved in sales, human resources, finance and marketing.

Ms Preece said it is important for people to feel confident about expressing themselves or can find better ways of communicating.

?This can reduce miscommunication with work colleagues or with management and broach difficult conversations.?