the principles of effective internal communications

Internal CommunicationsCreating effective internal communications

© Kenton Larsen | Twitter: @Kentonlarsen | Blog: www.kentonlarsen.com | Podcast: Media Nerds 2

The context in whichindividuals and organizations function.

Organizational climate/culture


Organizational climate/culture Environmental factors

Values (policies)

Behavior

Structure

Leadership (heroes, role models, mentors)

Employee perception


Organizational climate/culture Products/services

History

Core values

Competitors

People

Vision


Employee communications

Part of the PR function devoted to:

Identifying

Maintaining

Establishing

mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its internal publics.


Role of employee communications Attract, select, indoctrinate employees.

Provide instruction, rules, news.

Publicize achievements.

Exchange information.

Increase employees’ effectiveness.

Solicit and encourage input.

Satisfy employees’ desire to be informed and involved.


Communication tools

Posters, memos, newsletters, magazines, bulletins, etc.

Speeches, meetings, grapevine, guest speakers, videoconferences, etc.

Displays, presentations, videos, etc.

Social media, email, intranet, YouTube, etc.


The IRP rule

Demonstrate an interest in employees.

Respond to employee concerns.

Provide opportunities for employee participation in decision making.

Interest • Respond • Participation


Guidelines Candid, two-way flow of info.

Must be:• A priority• Planned, sustained• Relevant, understandable to employees

And avoid:• Propaganda• Rigid tone


Guidelines Don’t try to be all things to all people –

know your audience, service the needs of your organization.

Newsletter:

• 50 per cent organizational info

• 20 per cent employee info

• 20 per cent non-company info

• 10 per cent small talk


Guidelines Promote awareness and understanding of goals.

Interpret management policies.

Meet employees’ info needs.

Facilitate two-way communication.

Encourage productivity.


Symptoms of poor employee communications

Absenteeism

Theft

Inefficiencies

Higher production costs

Low morale

Strikes

High turnover

Accidents

Rumors


Barriers to effective employee communications Failure to recognize importance of communications

Failure to communicate hard issues candidly

Failure to trust employees with information

Resistance to change


Barriers to effective employee communications Unclear corporate image.

Negative organizational climates.

Lack of mutual trust.

No employee communication policy.

Employee communications flow one way.

“Towing the company line” in communications.


The ideal situation Confidence and trust between employee/employer.

Candid information.

Satisfied sense of status and participation.

Low stress.

Healthy environment.

Success for the organization.

Optimism for the future.


Your Role: Establish relationship between

employees and organization.

Build and transmit organizational culture.

Interpret management policies.

Help build employee awareness.

Provide means for “upward” communication.

Devotion to customer service: “Weird and fanatical.”

“Every employee is an advertising vehicle.”

Slow to hire, quick to fire.

Corporate culture is everything: importance of core values and transparency.

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