See my article in the Business Section of 'The Yorkshire Times', my local online newspaper http://bit.ly/1822uB6 @TheYorkTimes
Whilst staying in Anglesey, for a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend, I was amused by what I found in the cupboard. It made me wonder why the instruction had not been heeded. Was it because people do not like being told what to do? Was it because someone ignored it and everyone after that just followed suit; "if it was alright for them then it is alright for me". Was it just apathy? The shelf needed to be kept empty because if it was piled high it was in danger of breaking. How many times does this happen in the organisations where we work and how often is that directly related to how these things are actually communicated? One problem I find, when approaching organisations to help with their internal dynamics, is that investment is automatically directed at external comms and marketing but rarely at internal. Internal communications breakdown can often be cited as a reason for 'organisational chaos' but can also be classed as 'soft' and immeasurable and, therefore, difficult to tackle. Subsequently, it is usually considered a side issue and the responsibility of HR.
I love what Tim Johns (Communications Expert and Owner, Orato Consulting) says in his article on 'Simply Communicate' regarding his 2013 predictions for Internal Communications http://bit.ly/16jJiRk To quote : "2013 will be the year when internal communications starts to take itself seriously...when it breaks free from its second cousin once removed, HR...and when it recognises that it is not a transactional channel. ...The role of internal communications is not about narratives; in fact, it’s not about messages at all...If the business wants a culture that is open, honest, non-hierarchical, meritocratic, collaborative, curious and empowered, then the role of internal communications is to provide a rich communication environment in which those values can flourish. Rather than designing great channels and hoping people will come to the party, it will be about finding out how they want to work and live and then creating a communications environment that can support it.” I sincerely hope he is right! |
Dr. Suzie HamlinPassionate about understanding organisations and the people within. Categories
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February 2014
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