Human Resources

Our team also uses outside events, parties and staff retreats as ways to build rapport, introduce new information and gather employee input. The good lines of communication built through these types of events reinforce to employees that they are valuable to, and valued by, the organization.
Bigger companies utilize additional means of communication to reach employees, such as paycheck stuffers, newsletters, direct mail, video conferencing and annual reports. Obviously, annual reports are usually created with other audiences in mind. But in today’s world of sustainability, both from an environmental and a community-impact perspective, what better way to share that feel good message than with and through your front-line ambassadors?
The key is not overlooking the audience at hand, your staff. Pick the methods and tools that work best for your organization, and then go out and communicate! Your rewards will be better customer service, higher employee satisfaction levels and longer retention. Not bad for something so easy to do.

Lili Vianello is president of Visionworks Marketing & Communications, a Columbia-based, full-service advertising, marketing and public relations firm. Contributions to this article were made by Visionworks staff members. Visit them online at www.visionworks.com.