Communications
authentic. principled. conversation.
Join the discussion. Every Monday morning, we publish information and advice for public-sector managers and others. Have something to add? Your input is welcome and appreciated. And if you have an idea you’d like to see explored, please feel free to drop us a line.
Welcome to 2021 — and potentially your first big headache
Those organizations that can report all senior members of their local government did what was appropriate and set a proper example for their constituents have an opportunity to build some political capital and brand currency.
What is it your organization believes?
A vision statement is all about what the organization believes is possible. It is reflection on potential. A mission statement puts the vision into practice. It is the doing part.
The who, what and why of news to share
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.
Keep your eye on the big picture
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.
They shouldn’t hear it through the grapevine
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.
Five golden commandments for email use
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.
It’s time to renew and reinforce COVID-19 safety practices and behaviours
As a start, we encourage you to assess communications tools you use now and measure their effectiveness. Determine the best communication channels to alert employees to new procedures or reporting an outbreak. And, most importantly, ensure you’ve established two-way communication tools that allow your team and visitors to report health and safety concerns or share their questions.
Eventually, some bum with a beer will mess everything up for you
An organization can do everything it can to keep itself out of trouble. It can follow its policies and procedures to the letter, undertake all manner of proactive maintenance, flawlessly follow legal direction. It can do all that and still find itself dragged into the muck because of another’s misstep.
