Communicating to employees is often seen as a reactionary process. For example, someone has an important issue they want to communicate and enlists the services of the communications department. An article is usually written or some materials are prepared and then sent out to the employees. This type of process does not allow for any type of strategy to be developed to ensure that employees are getting the right key messages at the right time. Below are five tips that can help businesses formulate the right communications strategy:
1. Start by assessing what needs to be communicated. Don't begin by requesting that an article or poster be written or designed. Instead, focus on refining the exact key messages/actions that you want employees to internalize.
2. Discuss the best communications medium to disseminate the information. Should the information be posted on the intranet, given at a town hall meeting, or sent via email? Does your company use blogs or discussion boards for content? Would a video work better or perhaps assembling a toolkit? All of these options and many more should be explored.
3. Set up a calendar for when deliverables will be released. Will the announcements conflict with any other information that is being published? Don't just decide that the information will be communicated as soon as possible. Could the announcement be combined with any other communications? Create an editorial calendar to determine the best time for publication.
4. Include time for revisions. Make sure the key stakeholders have the necessary time and input to assess the communications materials. It's better to take the time to craft a good message than to rush a bad communications deliverable.
5. How will you measure the effectiveness of your key messages. Too many communications plans lack the element of assessment. Will a survey be sent, will web pages be monitored, or will interviews be conducted? Make sure there's a plan in place to judge the success of the communications plan.
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To learn more about communications, visit the communications forum and discussion board at [http://www.CommDiscussion.com]
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