1. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines for internal communications

2. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 1Silence is dangerous  If no communication from director, people will fill the gap with their own interpretation  Rumours… hearsay…  Communicate with staff at all times  Keep information flowing, even when there is not much to say

3. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 2Important messages need repeating  People do not always listen well or understand first time  Repeat key messages  Find different ways of communicating the same message  Repeat info as an email, in-house newsletter, at a staff meeting

4. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 3Check all facts carefully  Approval procedures may seem time-consuming  But inaccurate info can cause trouble 4Is the message right?  Make sure the info is relevant to the audience

5. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 5Top people MUST communicate  Make sure the boss has regular meetings with small groups of staff to deliver his/her own message (and gather feedback)  Helps staff feel involved and important  Talking with employees should be ongoing, not an occasional event

6. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 6Always give background information to change  Make sure people know why things have to change  Don’t assume that staff are not interested or won’t understand  When change is near, say it, then write it

7. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 7Ask for feedback  Have a feedback process  Delivering a message without seeking feedback is one-way  THAT’S NOT COMMUNICATION 8Treat staff like responsible adults  Give them bad news as well as good news  Tell them why  If possible, tell them what is going to be done to correct things

8. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com 10 guidelines 9Don't lie  Even the most difficult truth is better than dishonesty 10Be first  Staff must never learn anything about the org from the media unless it is absolutely unavoidable  If they can't be told first, tell them at the same time as public communication

9. Paul Mundy and Bob Huggan www.mamud.com More info on internal communications http://workhelp.org/content/view/171/46/