| Clever communication techniques are required in | | | | customer service, corporate whistle blowing, |
| the workplace where many different messages | | | | corporate values, re-induction, employee health |
| have to be communicated on a daily basis. All | | | | wellness programs or to draw attention to |
| these messages compete with each other to get | | | | specific messages such as seasons greetings, |
| attention and to be heard. The importance of | | | | safety presentations, quarterly results, product |
| communication skills in the workplace cannot be | | | | launches, awards, special days such as HIV/aids |
| emphasized enough, as every single workplace | | | | day etc. |
| activity requires communication over a variety of | | | | 1. Idea sharing forums, this can be included in a |
| topics. The effectiveness of this communication | | | | grapevine communication campaign |
| can make or break an organization. | | | | 2. Motivational campaigns with rewards and |
| It is often best to keep communication simple. | | | | recognition for using initiative and creative problem |
| This may mean getting a communication out | | | | solving |
| quickly during a crisis rather than taking a long | | | | 3. Engage with staff, recognize staff with |
| time to perfect the communication. In this case | | | | employee of the month programs and funny |
| quantity of communication is far more important | | | | employee awards |
| than quality. | | | | 4. Office morale boosters to enhance teamwork |
| Take a change management or behavior change | | | | in the work place |
| initiative for example. These encompass many | | | | 5. Email opinion polls and staff hotlines |
| sub-messages as they usually necessitate | | | | 6. Vote lines to get staff opinions and feedback |
| communicating what change or new behavior is | | | | on issues as well as ideas box/electronic feedback |
| required within various business units. The staff is | | | | communication system |
| then enabled to become accustomed to a new | | | | 7. Unexpected phone calls and letters to select |
| environment. Everyone has to understand the | | | | staff members from senior management showing |
| process that will take place in order to ensure the | | | | appreciation and communicating other messages, |
| successful, smooth implementation. They must | | | | compile a file with thank you note examples and |
| recognize the transition from the old environment | | | | ideas for managers to use |
| to the new environment. | | | | 8. Admin assistant day to acknowledge the role |
| Clear communication, during all stages of the | | | | assistants play |
| process, reduces uncertainty. It institutes staff | | | | 9. Face to face communication when |
| cooperation thereby increasing productivity, | | | | misunderstandings occur |
| motivation, morale and most importantly, how to | | | | 10. Themed campaigns to encourage staff to |
| take initiative. | | | | reach targets |
| By establishing two-way lines of open | | | | 11. Workshops within departments, involving all |
| communication you will be able to decrease | | | | staff members |
| apprehension and resistance. This increases trust | | | | 12. Devise blast faxes and special format emails |
| among employees and assists with anticipating | | | | for quick information updates, these will be |
| and dealing with possible misperceptions. Research | | | | identifiable as being part of a specific campaign |
| such as climate surveys will assess employee | | | | making it easily recognizable |
| perceptions. While the research is being conducted | | | | 13. Mail shots with 3d elements for added appeal |
| it is useful to research current communication | | | | and memory retention - use this as part of a |
| methods that are used within the organization and | | | | campaign with at least three communication |
| their effectiveness. This will show methods that | | | | elements to reinforce the communication |
| should not be used and will indicate preferred | | | | message |
| communication methods. | | | | 14. Interactive email and SMS campaigns to |
| Give employees the information they require. If | | | | communicate messages |
| job layoffs are expected, inform employees of | | | | 15. Autoresponders can be used to reinforce |
| salaried employee rights and non-salaried | | | | messages and update communications on a |
| employee rights on termination. Be open and | | | | regular basis |
| honest at all times. It is better to over | | | | 16. Viral communication campaign to encourage |
| communicate and repeat messages than to not | | | | staff involvement in spreading important |
| communicate enough. Communicate information | | | | messages |
| concerning job roles and responsibilities, policies | | | | 17. Marketing tools with high memory retention |
| and procedures, information pertaining to the | | | | can be used, such as the banner pen, to |
| organizational culture, business processes, the | | | | communicate messages that staff may need to |
| physical environment, where we are now, where | | | | refer to on an ongoing basis - this is like a |
| we ideally want to be and the rationale behind the | | | | brochure and pen in one, it has permanence and |
| process. Define integration and explain what is | | | | keeps the message top of mind |
| expected of them. An effective employee | | | | 18. Competitions to encourage staff participation |
| orientation program will clarify many facts for the | | | | and feedback |
| employee. Communicate the benefits offered by | | | | 19. Engine rooms and think tank rooms can be set |
| the company, such as employee health and | | | | up, where select staff from different |
| wellness programs as this will show that the | | | | departments play a role in communication |
| company cares and is putting the employee first. | | | | between management and that department |
| During this procedure, keep the staff informed | | | | 20. Intranet forums |
| every step of the way. | | | | 21. Screensavers with pertinent messages to be |
| Conduct an effective employee orientation | | | | regularly updated with new messages |
| session that will explain the purpose of the | | | | 22. "Hall of fame" on the intranet to acknowledge |
| company mission statement, as well as company | | | | people who have made a difference and |
| values, morals and ethics. Discuss issues such as | | | | encourage others to do so (use a paper based |
| cross cultural communication in the organization | | | | method for staff who do not have electronic |
| and give examples of racial discrimination and | | | | access) |
| other unacceptable behavior that could result in a | | | | 23. Notice boards |
| hostile work environment lawsuit. Deal with other | | | | 24. Newsletters |
| potential problems such as management | | | | 25. Brochures |
| resistance so that further problems do not result. | | | | 26. Posters |
| Research has shown that hard hitting, repetitive, | | | | 27. Letters |
| ongoing, two-way communication methods with | | | | 28. Seminars |
| messages that are simple and clear will bring | | | | 29. Workshops |
| about the best results. Each message should be | | | | 30. Interchangeable banners |
| tailor-made to suit the different levels of you | | | | 31. Extensive communication on the intranet |
| target audience, from unskilled employees through | | | | 32. Flash mailers and sound and video clips with |
| to senior management. Each message should be | | | | messages |
| delivered directly to your selected audience right | | | | 33. Toilet posters and floor decals with messages |
| in their workspace. There are many types of | | | | 34. Create online calendars with interactive |
| electronic communication methods that can be | | | | elements whereby staff communicate, send |
| used as well as non-electronic methods. While | | | | SMS's or emails in response to pertinent |
| there are advantages and disadvantages of email, | | | | messages on different days throughout the |
| the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. | | | | campaign period |
| We find that because people are bombarded with | | | | 35. Standard communications should be prepared |
| emails, messages are often lost or overlooked. | | | | and be adapted and used where problem areas |
| Although technology and human communication is | | | | arise in order to recognize staff concerns, |
| the new focus of communication, it is often | | | | acknowledge the problem and create goodwill |
| necessary to back it up with other types of | | | | 36. Lumpy package elements for specific |
| workplace communication such as grapevine | | | | communication needs eg tape measure to |
| communication, not to mention the many other | | | | ‘shift your limits and calculate the rewards' |
| types of nonverbal communication. This could | | | | 37. Ambush marketing in specific situations where |
| entail implementing a viral campaign that includes | | | | appropriate |
| print and audio elements that entice people onto | | | | 38. Surveys |
| the intranet. One of the benefits of an intranet is | | | | 39. Desk drops |
| that you can communicate a large amount of | | | | 40. Concept launch pack |
| information quickly and it can be updated instantly. | | | | 41. Pay slip messages |
| This can then include fun surveys to email people | | | | 42. Telephone campaigns by call centre to |
| that will further promote the topic being | | | | communicate message and ascertain receptivity |
| communicated. | | | | of the message. |
| Communication plays a role in every employee | | | | Remember to continually monitor and re-evaluate |
| engagement strategy. There are many | | | | the communication strategy to ensure that the |
| organizational behavior books that look at the | | | | communication objectives are being met. Certain |
| causes of employee turnover and suggest | | | | communication campaign elements can be tested |
| employee retention tips. Simple activities such as | | | | on a sample of staff where necessary before |
| cross training employees, taking note of and | | | | being implemented. During the evaluation stage |
| acting on good suggestion box ideas submitted by | | | | monitor the perceptions of employees and |
| employees and initiating an employee feedback | | | | effectiveness of communication methods used. |
| program, assist with retaining staff. | | | | Different research methods can be used for this. |
| The following communication methods and ideas | | | | This will provide important guidelines on |
| can be used to provide a series of messages | | | | communication methods that may need to be |
| around communications regarding issues such as | | | | done differently. |