The ABCs of Human Resources Communication

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The ABCs of Human Resources Communication

• February 9, 2007
• Emory University
• Katherine Hinson - Director of Communications
• Mary Smith Senior Director

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Why Should Employers Communicate?

• Key findings from the 2005/2006 Watson Wyatt
  Communication ROI Study identified a correlation
  between communication effectiveness,
  organizational turnover, and financial
  performance.
• Survey findings
• Organizations that communicate effectively are
  4.5
• times more likely to report high levels of
  employee
• engagement and productivity.
• Organizations that have highly effective
  communications are 20 more likely to report
  lower turnover rates than their peers.

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What Should Employers Communicate?

• Organizational Leadership Changes
• Business Initiatives Objectives
• Organizational Culture Values
• Changes or New Polices Procedures
• The Employee Value Proposition (Total Rewards)
• New Programs
• Special Events

4
How Should Employers Communicate?

• Campus Newspaper
• Employee Meetings
• Focus Groups
• Employee Surveys
• Brochures, Flyers, Postcards
• Emails
• Company Web Site
• Home Address Mailings
• Targeted Communications

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Rules of Communication

• Tell them what you are going to tell them,
• Tell them and then Tell them what you told
  them!
• Gear messages to specific audiences
• Use eye catching print materials
• Dont assume the audience understands the subject
  matter make it concise and clear.

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Effective Communication Practices

• Have a communication program in place to support
  organizational changes.
• Openly communicate with employees about matters
  that effect them and the reasons behind the
  decisions.
• Link communication objectives to business
  objectives.
• Have a documented internal and external
  communication program.
• Engage managers and share information with them.
• Empower managers and supervisors to communicate
  the organizations strategy.

7
Effective Communication Plans

• Are done proactively
• Tie the communication strategy to the
  objectives
• Focus on deliverables and results
• Have senior management input and support

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Designing a Communication Plan

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Designing a Communication Plan
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Designing a Communication Plan
Deliver final file(s) to either internal
development or the external vendor
Oversee production - approve proofs and maintain
quality control
Coordinate ordering and delivery of supplies
Manage Fulfillment
Release FINAL product!
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Seven Cs to Credibility

• Correct (get it right grammar, spelling)
• Consistent (follow a set style)
• Clear (use verbiage your audience understands)
• Concise (save people time)
• Coherent (think structure, organization)
• Complete (answer the questions)
• Creative (be interesting)
• Source Don Ranly, Professor Emeritus of
  Journalism, Missouri School of Journalism

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Know Your Communication Channels

• Paper
• Best for learning new, long, or complicated ideas
• Major change to your benefit plans.
• Big strategic change in your business direction.
• New technology/software systems.
• Web
• Best for short, quick information retrieval
• Overview of a product, plan, service, etc.
• Locating a form, contact information
• News of interest
• Face-to-face
• Essential for overcoming resistance to change
• Provide managers with the information to discuss
  change intelligently. Manager are the most
  critical link in change management.
• Source Larking Communications Consulting

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How to OvercomeInformation Overload

• Understand that employees are bombarded 24/7 with
  all forms of information.
• Translate into meaningful and accessible content.
• Make it available through a variety of media.
• Educate employees about the importance of seeking
  information.
• Monitor employees perception of information.
• Provide managers the tools to effectively
  communicate down and up.

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Questions Answers