5 Steps to Better Corporate Communications
"Communication breakdown, it's always the same, Havin' a nervous breakdown, a-drive me insane" Communication Breakdown, Led Zeppelin
This could be my most prosaic yet important post.
A while back I penned a piece on better weed storytelling. The post was slanted towards communicating with outsiders like consumers and investors.
Some of you asked me about best practices for interacting with employees.
You ask, I author.
Management-staff communications is not just organizational table stakes.
Effective communications are vital to aligning everyone to the company’s mission, values, and purpose; ensuring all employees are engaged and; improving the odds that key initiatives are delivered effectively on budget, and on time.
Don’t think, however, this is a simple task. Most cannabis firms operate separate facilities, experience high staff turnover and function in dynamic, uncertain environments.
Furthermore, your teams are likely overwhelmed with content and tasks at every turn.
> I cannot stress the proposition enough: effectual and timely internal communications are crucial for business performance.
Here are 5 of my best practices for better connections:
1. Insist that your leaders are strong communicators
This is a management ‘must have’ not a ‘nice to have.’ Either hire good communicators or give them the training and support to succeed.
2. Link key messages to your ‘Why’
To build credibility and recall, your messages must always connect to your firm’s mission and purpose. Furthermore, the chosen words and images should be authentic, inclusive and easily understood by all.
3. Think conversations, not preaching
People relish and want to contribute to a shared purpose. Employees often want the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions. Your communication vehicles, events and technologies should enable these exchanges.
4. Adopt a regular but relevant cadence
Your staff wants to know what’s going on a regular basis as well as new developments (good and bad). Communication strategies should reflect the message objective and impact i.e. some messages are better delivered 'live' and by the appropriate person.
5. Don’t over communicate
Remember, people have busy day jobs. And, transmitting too much information increases the risk of confusion and disinterest.
Pledging to up your communication game is easier said than done. A lot can go wrong include career-limiting false starts and embarrassing faux pas.
Your commitment must be approached strategically with attention to the required content, enabling technologies and suitable channels.
Send me a DM to chat about how we can get your team performing better.
#communications #employeeengagement #teambuilding #organizationaleffectiveness #collaboration