Most companies have been hit by the economy, causing employee downsizing, making many employees worry about job security. Morale sinks as a result. Companies need to keep employees focused on their day jobs instead of the effect on the economy on workforce. Workforce.com did an insightful article recently dedicated to ways that companies can help keep morale during these times. Here are suggested communication tips and tools to help boost morale during these times: - Manage the message. Employees will be asking questions, so let them know what’s going on with the company. Address the questions. o Be clear. Be straightforward and clear in what you say. o Tell both sides of the story. Communicate good news with the not-so-good news. Make announcements when sales, launches and customer retention are going better than expected in addition to when things aren’t going as well. o Provide opportunities to help. Every communication should tell employees how they can do their part, whether it is cutting expenses, increased attention to quality control, talking up the product, etc. Let them be a part of the solution. - Be visible. This is not the time to have your leadership team tied up in long, closed-door meetings. They should walk the halls, interact with the employees and attend as many of the usual meetings as possible. - Choose the right tools. Tool selection is key for communicating with your employees during these times: o Email. This is a great communication vehicle, but don’t overuse it. This is good for periodic updates from your CEO, but too many of these will dilute the message you are trying to send. o Online tools. A blog or intranet posting on a regular basis is a good way to let people know what’s happening. And if it’s updated on a regular basis, employees will know it’s a good source of information, and will look for the news. o Meetings. Having conversations with your employees is crucial. Depending on your situation, occasional hands-on all-staff meetings may be appropriate. Or for larger companies, attending department meetings or holding brown bag lunches may be more feasible. Communication with your employees is crucial during these times. Make sure your message and tools are the most effective they can be to help boost your employees’ morale. What tools have you tried to boost morale recently? Which ones have worked best for you?
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