Presentation title Date 1
Internal CommunicationsInternal Communications
Training SessionTraining SessionPart ThreePart Three
Piers SchreiberPiers SchreiberHR Academy - 6HR Academy - 6thth February 2007 February 2007
2
Avoiding the Pitfalls
• Spotting the errors
• Corrective strategies
• Conclusions
3
Pitfall No 1 - Underestimation
4
Pitfall No 1 - Underestimation
5
Pitfall No 1 - Underestimation
6
Pitfall No 1 - Underestimation
7
Pitfall No 1 - Underestimation
8
Pitfall No 1 – Underestimation
The Learnings
• Thoroughly research the issue before acting on it
• Make sure your solution is robust enough to do the job
• Listen to the advice of those around you
• There is no need for a crisis to become a farce
• Allocate the right resources from the outset
9
Pitfall No 2 - Ambiguity
10
Pitfall No 2 - Ambiguity
The Learnings
• Be straightforward in your messaging
• Do not try to deliver subtle messages
• Make sure there is no opportunity to read between the lines
• Hidden messages = hidden agenda = distrust
• Test your messages with a ‘tame’ employee
11
Pitfall No 3 – Misreading the Audience
• A young teacher from the city was sent to teach a class of 4-year-olds at a village school in Wales
• Her first lesson was to teach the letter S so she held up a big photo of a sheep and said: "Now, who can tell me what this is?”
• Twenty blank faces looked back at her
• "Come on, who can tell me what this is?”
• Eventually, one brave soul put up a tiny, reluctant hand and said: "Is it a three-year-old Border Leicester?”
12
Pitfall No 3 – Misreading the Audience
The Learnings
• Research audience awareness of an issue in advance
• If worried about pitching at the right level, test it first
• Use message matrix/checklist to ensure you hit the right key
• Don’t assume anything…
13
Conclusions
Internal Communications
• A discipline that will help motivate and engage employees
• A tool for ensuring consistency in corporate messaging
• A set of practices that facilitate change and focus
• …and it can be fun too
