Feature Article

Over the past two years we've heard in the press about how businesses have responded to the economic collapse. In general, the coverage focuses on external factors, production levels and customer-focused issues. This got us thinking about how internal communicators' role has changed, if at all, during the downturn.

At the International Association of Business Communicators' 2010 Global Conference in Toronto, last month, Dulye & Co. conducted a survey among participants to learn more about the impact of latest economic downturn on internal communication practices, employee feedback, and engagement levels of managers and employees.

Throughout the past couple of years we've been asked from time to time to explain what we mean when we talk about a spectator-free workplace. It's a provocative term that often has people wondering.

When we picture a spectator in today's work environment, we see someone who isn't engaged in their own work, much less the vision and objectives of the business. He or she simply arrives at work and essentially checks out.

They stand on the sidelines of the workplace -- often, criticizing, complaining and casting blame. They go through the motions -- do the bare minimum, nothing more. They are spectators.

Recently I attended a conference of communications leaders and was struck by a common theme – and challenge. The companies in attendance had built communications strategies and plans but few could articulate how their organization defined effective communication. Sounds pretty obvious, doesn't it? 

You'd be surprised.

For decades -- and even centuries -- people have explored every facet of leadership, trying to understand what traits make up effective leaders. The concept of leadership continues to be one of the most popular business topics. In fact, a search for the word "leadership" in the books section of Amazon.com produces 60,807 results.

Why the fascination with leadership? Because often it can be the final criteria for an organization looking to promote or hire an executive. If you're looking at two candidates for a job and they're equal in all other qualifications, the better leader is likely to end up getting the nod.

“Congratulations on launching the first internal comms iPhone app!!”

You didn’t need to sit through all seven hours of the recent Bipartisan Health Care Summit to recognize the sometimes awkward and uncomfortable nature of the discussion.

Health care in America is a highly charged issue and it came through on our TV screens.

Despite the occasional jab or long-winded remark, we witnessed open and honest two-way communication in action. Even though the media positioned the summit as mere political theater, we saw four areas where the event succeeded.

Effective teams and organizations use a closed-loop approach to ensure that each objective, project or event is reviewed to track progress or the final outcome. The first of the year is an ideal time to close your open loops.