''Is communications effective?''; Dallas/IABC Quick Poll Finds Companies Seek Clarity.

DALLAS -- When asked about ways to assess communications efforts, more than 77 percent of professional communicators report that their companies or clients want to know if their messages are clear and effectively received and retained, says the latest Dallas/IABC quick poll.

The survey, which ran mid-April to mid-May, asked more than 300 communicators to choose one response to the question, "When assessing communication effectiveness, my team/my clients are most interested in learning:"

--whether the amount of communication is appropriate

--whether the message is consistent

--whether we are using the best channel of communication

--how clearly the message is communicated

--the degree to which information is received and retained

The survey, which included 31 respondents, reports:

--77.4 percent of respondents say their companies or clients are most interested in learning how clearly the message is communicated and the degree to which information is received and retained

--48.4 percent of respondents say their companies or clients are most interested in learning the degree to which information is received and retained

--Only 16.1 percent of respondents say their companies or clients are most interested in learning whether they are using the best channel of communication, with only 6.5 percent saying they are most interested in "whether the message is consistent."

--None of the respondents say their companies or clients are most interested in learning whether the amount of communications is appropriate

"It seems communicators still seek more valuable, tangible ways to measure the effectiveness of their communications efforts," said Roy Miller, president of Dallas/IABC. "Perhaps these results are a call to action for all communicators to consider how they are -- or are not -- using audits and surveys to assess their communications, be it the audiences, content, tools, frequency or consistency of message."

The Dallas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators conducts a monthly online Quick Poll on its Web site, www.dallasiabc.com, and invites communicators to respond to the poll. It is an interactive Web site feature that provides a timely snapshot of what chapter members and other site visitors think about current issues and trends.

Dallas/IABC (www.dallasiabc.com) is the professional communicator's choice for practical education, information and professional development. The not-for-profit association serves 315 members in North Texas representing hundreds of corporations, agencies, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.dallasiabc.com, or contact Roy Miller at 972-717-3500 x235, or via e-mail at [e-mail].