What's the best way to communicate with your employees? It depends on what you want to say.
You can request information on particular issues using staff opinion polls. Even if they are not conducted in person, polls can be used to keep information channels open. Online staff forums can serve as a virtual conference room where employees can share their opinions, ideas, and complaints. People can post in staff forums anonymously, so it is a good way to find out what your personnel really think. If this sounds too risky, you can use a secure platform to supervise conversations closely, as well as set up specific forums for specific groups so that any negativity can be contained.
. When communicating with your staff, don't just send messages that are about cost cutting and productivity. While these are important, it is also necessary to keep your employees positive by inspiring them, highlighting future opportunities, and sharing good news stories. Reinforce the values that make your company successful, and stay optimistically focused on achieving performance targets.
. Polls for Effective Communication Channels - Create a staff e-magazine and allow everyone to contribute news items and stories. Use screensavers as a means to display motivational images, promote top performers, highlight organizational achievements, portray the future of the company, etc. Place a daily news ticker on employees' computers to announce the latest sales, performance, or production figures. Staff quizzes with a prize incentive can be used to increase capacity and motivate personnel. Countdown clocks on screensavers can remind employees of deadlines and other important dates. An interactive online helpdesk can provide a venue wherein staff can ask questions about their role or the company.
. Get your staff involved and solicit their cost reduction ideas. Asking your employees for help promotes a sense of community. Once you've collected some success stories, highlight them in staff communications channels (company e-magazine, newsletter, etc.). Share what certain individuals or departments are doing to minimize costs. Offer a personal thank you or reward for good initiatives.
. Plant staff opinion polls and surveys directly on employees' computer screens, and use these formats to get your staff to submit ideas. You can be persistent with uncompleted surveys to ensure maximum participation. In most cases, staff ideas and suggestions have a positive and remarkable impact on an organization, so don't hesitate to enlist the help of your employees.
by David Meagor
