The most successful companies have healthy communication practices throughout their organizations. If you want to improve how your employees communicate with each other, follow the simple guidelines below. After a while, you may find the improved communication leads to better results and profits for your company.
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Give a Good Example
If you want your workers to communicate better, company leaders must be doing it themselves. All of the managers in your business should be leading by example. Encourage them to share, comment, ask questions, answer questions, and provide feedback to others.
Have High Level of Transparency
It is not unusual for companies to begin new policies without explaining why they are doing it. This can make employees distrust their supervisors because the purpose of the new policy is unclear.
Try to be as informative as possible with employees about why specific policies are changing. This helps your employees feel like part of the organization, but it can bring suggestions that improve the new proposed policies.
Hold Information Gathering Meetings
If you want new policies and procedures to go well, make sure you collect your workers’ input. You might install a suggestion box in a hallway or have meetings with workers in small groups. These opportunities for communication allow them to give suggestions, offer feedback, or share concerns.
Use Internet Tools Instead of Meetings
Many workers think in-person meetings are a waste of time. You can cut the amount of meeting time by using team updates and online reporting tools. For example, Happeo.com offers intranet software that makes it easy to collaborate, which leads to more engaged employees.
One recent study found that companies that switch to social technologies for employee communication increased interaction among employees by 25%.
Create an Internal Company Language
You might think this sounds silly, but devising your company language can boost communication and engagement.
An internal company language can be several made-up words that come from inside jokes. Or it can be acronyms or monikers that are used to describe various business processes.
Having your language offers an amusing and exciting way to communicate during the week. And having workers contribute to the company language improves the culture.
Leverage The Subject Line In Your Emails
In most companies, the majority of communication is by email. Employees may receive dozens of emails per day so that an inbox can become cluttered fast.
To get attention to your emails, utilize action words such as HELP or URGENT for essential emails. This helps your employees prioritize emails to know which ones need action now and which can be handled later.
Let Employees Recharge
Working long hours week after week is exhausting and sometimes demoralizing. It is difficult to communicate well when you are completely exhausted. Encourage employees to take a break from their desks when they feel the need.
This could mean allowing workers an extra personal day or just an extra hour for lunch every Friday. Employees are more productive when they are rested, and know they get chances to recharge their batteries regularly.
Listen to Middle Managers
Always listen to what your middle managers have to say. They often have a good idea of what the problems are in the company and communication and how to fix them.
Following these easy guidelines in your company are sure to enhance employee communication, which fosters a more productive work environment and better output.
