Hayslett Group Communique Newsletter

Too often, internal communications are

overlooked when companies map out communications strategies. When planning your public relations programs, be sure to tap into your employees, taking advantage of the built-in network that stands ready to receive - and distribute - positive corporate messages at any time. Workers who feel they know what's going on within their organization are more likely to speak positively of their employers than those who feel they are kept in the dark and don't feel they have a dialog with management. Consider these tips:

Make monthly/quarterly

newsletters a compelling read. There is no reason why your newsletters can't have a personality or tell a moving story that isn't necessarily related to your company's business. The emotional connections you can make through your publications increase the chances of promoting a positive corporate impression to your staff. Shine the spotlight on the accomplishments, humorous

stories or personal struggles of your employees, mixed in with your overall business messaging. You can also make your publication a valuable resource by including valuable HR-related information such as employee 401(k) and benefits packages.

Take advantage of technology employees are already using. Use company intranets and e-mails to communicate important information on a regular basis. Weekly updates are a great way to keep employees apprised of what's going on within the company; Monday mornings aren't necessarily the best day to deliver your electronic news, since workers are usually trying to catch up on the work they left behind two days before. Try Wednesday morning instead. Another idea is to encourage better communications through internet/intranet blogging or journaling.




		Too often, internal communications are overlooked when companies map out communications strategies. When planning your public relations programs, be sure to tap into your employees, taking advantage of the built-in network that stands ready to receive - and distribute - positive corporate messages at any time. Workers who feel they know what's going on within their organization are more likely to speak positively of their employers than those who feel they are kept in the dark and don't feel they have a dialog with management. Consider these tips: Make monthly/quarterly newsletters a compelling read. There is no reason why your newsletters can't have a personality or tell a moving story that isn't necessarily related to your company's business. The emotional connections you can make through your publications increase the chances of promoting a positive corporate impression to your staff. Shine the spotlight on the accomplishments, humorous stories or personal struggles of your employees, mixed in with your overall business messaging. You can also make your publication a valuable resource by including valuable HR-related information such as employee 401(k) and benefits packages. Take advantage of technology employees are already using. Use company intranets and e-mails to communicate important information on a regular basis. Weekly updates are a great way to keep employees apprised of what's going on within the company; Monday mornings aren't necessarily the best day to deliver your electronic news, since workers are usually trying to catch up on the work they left behind two days before. Try Wednesday morning instead. Another idea is to encourage better communications through internet/intranet blogging or journaling.



				Remember those memos from The Boss. Edward J. Bonn, president and CEO of Southern Regional Health Systems, is an example of a boss who knows the value of internal communications. Whether it's informing his staff of 2,400 employees and 600 physicians about a new technology the hospital offers, or reminding all hospital workers about procedures during emergency weather situations, Mr. Bonn makes sure his employees know what's going on through memos via e-mail, via snail mail boxes, and on common bulletin boards and in elevators. Look 'em in the eye. Don't minimize the importance of face-to-face contact with your employees. If you are a CEO, sit down and talk to your employees in the cafeteria, and find out what they are saying about your business. Host forums where employees can pose questions to you or your senior management team. Most importantly, make a point to schedule time each month to "press the flesh" with your staff and let them know that you value and appreciate their efforts.