The table shows changes in the percentages of people who considered that

communication skills were essential in their jobs between 1997 and 2006. The skills
were divided into two cases: external (with people outside the company) and internal.
In the external case, the most common skill was dealing with people had the
highest percentage of people in both years, which was the only skill considered
essential by more than half of the people in both years. The next most essential
external skill in 2006 was communicating knowledge of particular products and
services, which was essential for 35% of people in 1997 and 41% of people in 2006.
Other important skills were advising or caring for customers or clients, and the least
is selling a product or service.
The highest figure for communication with people within the company was
listening carefully to colleagues, which nearly half of people in 2006 said was
essential. This figure was 9% higher than the one for 1997. Also, instructing or
training people and analysing problems together with others is the next two highest
skills. The least required skills involved making speeches or presentations and
planning the activities of others.
Overall, there were different inportant skills in each case, like the highest in the
external was dealing with people, or listening carefully to colleagues in the within
case.