How can the organization maintain its preferred information flow and still share news with staff in a way that makes them a proactive addition to the information team? It starts with a delivery process that is timely, consistent and graduated.
We all go about our business, looking after unique and separate parts of the operation and come to have our own expression of just what the organization is. Our colleagues are busy with other parts of the animal — I’ll let you determine who has the tail end — but we get so engrossed in our own work that it’s only occasionally that we consider the organization as a whole.
When working with public-sector clients, I always strongly encourage news they are preparing for constituents or clients — and eventually the media — be first delivered to employees.
The reason? Chances are pretty good someone hearing the news will want to talk about it (even if just in passing) if and when they make contact with one of your employees — either at a counter, by phone or standing six feet away from them in a grocery store. It really helps the effort if your employees know what they’re talking about.
Email is a big part of organizational communication. It’s a great way to get a quick relevant message to a co-worker or friend. However, it is just one of the many tools in your communication toolbox.
