Internal Communications
The US and Global economies are volatile, with layoffs, downsizings and outsourcing headlining the news, many people are afraid of losing their jobs. Building strong, lasting employee relationships through effective communications programs can help management mitigate those fears, ultimately enhancing productivity, encouraging innovation and risk-taking, and most importantly, increasing employee retention.
By increasing employee retention, effective internal communications has a measurable, positive effect on the bottom line.
Internal Communications Case Study
When Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis had to downsize its workforce, BLAIR worked closely with Human Resources personnel to manage the process. An announcement of the staff reductions followed immediately by a reasoned explanation of why the downsizing was critical for the financial well-being of the institution were key tactics. Weekly communications updates were distributed to work groups impacted by staff reductions and ongoing updates to all medical center personnel helped to minimize rumors and misinformation.
BLAIR also worked closely with the senior management of another major academic medical center facing huge budget cuts, an intransigent medical staff and the likelihood of downsizing and elimination of entire departments. Because of its unique position in the community, the institution had avoided much of the impact of the managed care revolution. Working closely with senior management and the human resources staff, BLAIR developed a communications program that sought to educate the faculty, transform the institution’s culture and help make it more dynamic and accommodating to change.
