|
|
|
|
Your organization's reputation, profitability and, sometimes, its continued existence can depend on the way your internal and external stakeholders perceive and support your goals and policies. The messages must be consistent internally and externally, whether you're communicating your business strategy or values, explaining your role in the community or managing a crisis. The right strategy is key. Our case studies below provide examples of how we can help. Our capabilities include
Case study #1: Supporting merger by integrating communications
The solution: Working with internal communications, e-communications and public relations staff, we conducted an audit of current communications vehicles and facilitated a functional process and collateral review. A series of creative design meetings and the input of employee focus groups across the country resulted in the development of a new vision and approach to internal communications that was built on the desired culture of the merged organization. This vision shaped the new communications strategy and plan that covered print media and extended to the company intranet. We supported internal staff in the development of employee communication materials and launch of the interactive new internal web. To ensure consistency in tone and messaging internally and externally, public relations staff were involved at each phase of the project. The new look and feel of internal communications was incorporated into external messages, and ultimately, the corporate re-branding project. The impact: The combination of employee input into the vision, as well as the look and feel of communications assisted in developing employee ownership and pride. The interactive intranet tools aided timely on-line enrolment of staff in revamped benefit plans that signaled cultural integration. Taken together, these facilitated the integration of five separate groups into one merged culture. Case study #2: Communicating 'Flex-Ben' and signaling a culture change
The
solution: Together with a client project team, we assessed current
employee attitudes to existing benefits with a company-wide electronic survey
and a number of facilitated focus group discussions utilizing a discussion
template to facilitate roll up of the results.
As staff buy-in was an essential element of the success of the new
program, employee participation was crucial, and this research helped shape the
communication strategy.
The impact: As a result of the communications and decision support strategy, 94% of employees made their benefit choices on-line, on time. Employees perceived that their company had moved into the forefront of their industry with the new benefit program design.
|
|
Send Mail to webmaster@smithknox.com with comments or questions about this web site. Copyright © 2003-2007 Smith Knox & Associates Inc. Last modified September 5, 2007 |
The issue: After acquiring three companies and an
additional large block of business from a competitor, the client needed to merge
five different cultures into one. Ensuring a consistent approach to internal
communications was one part of the strategy. The task was to develop and
implement a new communications strategy for the merged organization that would
promote change management and facilitate cultural integration.
The
issue: After a review of its pay
and benefits strategy in light of its desired corporate culture, this high tech
organization decided to move to a flexible benefit program. The client wanted to
move away from a perceived paternalistic approach to one of empowerment with
employees making, and taking responsibility for, their benefit choices. The
challenge was to develop a communications strategy for the new program, make the
new program fun and attractive enough to encourage enrolment, and introduce a
change in culture that was being signaled by the new flex program.
We communicated details
of the new program, at each stage of the roll out, through a combination of
intranet broadcast messages, newsletters, and booklets (available on-line for
employee download), using a strong design concept.
