Everyone communicates in some way!!! Businesses are no different. They must develop communication strategies based on objectives, resources and the organizations reputation. Each situation is different. If your constituents are your employees and you must tell them you need to lay people off, you must determine how to do this in a positive way. How can you make sure the employees you lay off understand the circumstances, and the employees that you still have aren't concerned they will be next? The size of the company will have a lot to do with the method of communication.
When considering the constituent you must be aware of what knowledge they have of the organization, their attitude and their age. All this needs to be taken into consideration to determine what method of communication should be used. Depending on the method being used, will also determine the structure of your message. When delivering a message verbally your tone and facial expressions help you communicate. If you're emailing your message, you must be sure your message is coming across correctly.
Personal Experience
I work for a small tool & die company. Before September 11th hit the employees were used to working 50-70 hours per week. After September 11th, hours went to 40 per week. This was a drastic change for many people in this business. At one point, business was so slow people were going to be laid off. The owner spoke to the employees about the situation. The employees decided among themselves who would take the lay off. This decision had to be made around hunting season in Pennsylvania. Many of the guys in the company would take vacation time to hunt. The owner knew this, so this was a good time for a couple employees to collect unemployment and get to hunt. They would be able to come back to work in about 6 weeks to their jobs. This worked out for both the employees and the company. This situation was presented in a positive way so it was highly accepted.
References
I came across the following sites that help with determining a strategic plan:
http://www.chass.ncsu.edu/ccstm/scmh/model.html
These two websites are companies that can help with communication needs of a company:
http://www.strategiccommunication.com/
http://www.strategiccomm.com/main.html
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Changing Environment of Business
Over the years the perception people have had of businesses has changed. It has gone from one of trust to one of deceit. This change has taken place due to the actions of large corporations fraudulent activities and also how business people are portrayed in television and the movies.
We have to be aware that our environment is changing continuously, and that we must change but not compromise our beliefs and values. The way business communicates will determine their success. If businesses chose not to address a situation in the public eye, people will make assumptions and therefore not receive the right information.
We have to be aware that our environment is changing continuously, and that we must change but not compromise our beliefs and values. The way business communicates will determine their success. If businesses chose not to address a situation in the public eye, people will make assumptions and therefore not receive the right information.
Managers need to realize and recognize that the environment is constantly evolving, the company needs to adapt to the changing environment with or without changing what the company stands for. As long as companies keep in mind that things can only get worse, the company will be better off in today's environment. The company has to make sure it's communication is linked to its vision and strategy. The company has to determine what communication channels should be utilized in order to get its message across. Each situation is different so the form of communication may also be different depending on the circumstances involved.
Personal Experience
The company I work for would figure 16% of our wages and put that into a pension for each employee. The pension grew quickly and it was decided to change the plan to allow employees to make contributions. The company continued to put 16% of our wages into the pension. After a year, not many employees contributed to the plan on their own. The employer called a meeting and said the pension again was going to change. If we, as employees, wanted to contribute to the plan, we could. If we didn't want to contribute, than why should the company bother? The way this was presented to the employees was like a slap in the face. Many of us had been working for the company between 10-28 years and we had not had a raise in over 5 years. None of us expected the 16% every year, however, we did greatly appreciate this benefit. The employer would also mention this benefit as the most important one offered when hiring someone into the organization. Sort of a way of saying, the company may not pay as much as another company in hourly wages BUT this company will give you 16% toward your pension every year. The owner thought since he didn't see us contributing ourselves, than we must not care, so why should he? Many of us just could not afford to take 10-16% out of what we were making and put it into the pension. After all, gas prices along with everything has been rising over the years, but not our paychecks. This left a sour taste in our mouths. It was the way the employer communicated the information to us that bothered us the most! This created many hard feelings in the company and did nothing for moral!! A month later their was another company meeting. At this meeting it was told again, if you contribute, the company will contribute, however at the end of the year the company may decide to put additional money in the pension if it is available. I can honestly say, this information could have been presented in a way as to not upset anyone. The attitude in the company is definitely different today than what it was two years ago!!
Personal Experience
The company I work for would figure 16% of our wages and put that into a pension for each employee. The pension grew quickly and it was decided to change the plan to allow employees to make contributions. The company continued to put 16% of our wages into the pension. After a year, not many employees contributed to the plan on their own. The employer called a meeting and said the pension again was going to change. If we, as employees, wanted to contribute to the plan, we could. If we didn't want to contribute, than why should the company bother? The way this was presented to the employees was like a slap in the face. Many of us had been working for the company between 10-28 years and we had not had a raise in over 5 years. None of us expected the 16% every year, however, we did greatly appreciate this benefit. The employer would also mention this benefit as the most important one offered when hiring someone into the organization. Sort of a way of saying, the company may not pay as much as another company in hourly wages BUT this company will give you 16% toward your pension every year. The owner thought since he didn't see us contributing ourselves, than we must not care, so why should he? Many of us just could not afford to take 10-16% out of what we were making and put it into the pension. After all, gas prices along with everything has been rising over the years, but not our paychecks. This left a sour taste in our mouths. It was the way the employer communicated the information to us that bothered us the most! This created many hard feelings in the company and did nothing for moral!! A month later their was another company meeting. At this meeting it was told again, if you contribute, the company will contribute, however at the end of the year the company may decide to put additional money in the pension if it is available. I can honestly say, this information could have been presented in a way as to not upset anyone. The attitude in the company is definitely different today than what it was two years ago!!
References
Her are some websites to help better understand the business environment and communication: http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/new_economy_transition.html
http://www.humorwithapurpose.com/html/survival_in_today_s_changing_b.html
http://www.humorwithapurpose.com/html/survival_in_today_s_changing_b.html
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