By Rochelle Neidel
In recent months we have not only noticed the ongoing global tariff war that affects markets stability however back home we still have many SOE’s struggling to get out of the trenches of historic debts, and some even dealing with historic maladministration practices that affect their balance sheets.
Amidst this? What role do we play as communicators and stakeholder specialists?
It is imperative that as communications professionals we realize that effective company communication strategies are the backbone of a productive and engaged workforce.
Define what success should look like for your teams before launching any communication initiative. Vague goals lead to ineffective messaging and wasted resources.
Our President Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in her last public address has called the public sector to order, encouraging that all public servants uphold excellent service delivery as a cornerstone to sustainable growth within public sphere specifically parastatals.
While this message still lingers the Anti-Graft agency the ACC has been reporting more and more corrupt practices within the top SOE’s inn the country. Could this be the beginning of a new era?
It is indeed true that many SOE’s are crippled by systematic corrupt practices that are harmful to the sustainable growth of the economy as a whole as every other year the government is forced to bail out companies as a mean to stay in business. How do we play a part at empowering the workforce to report maladministration before it becomes uncontrollable.
In times of crises, many employees and senior leaders turn to management to provide direction, leadership and strength. One necessary component of effective leadership during uncertain times is ensuring clear and consistent communication between the top brass and the workforce. As such, as communications professionals we must be able to clearly convey their corporate strategy and objectives effectively, and address employee concerns, while still being mindful of the business objectives at hand Honesty and transparency are imperative for encouraging trust among employees we should express the truth and refrain from using language that conveys otherwise.
Times of economic downturn and large-scale layoffs can be difficult periods for companies to navigate. It’s essential for us to effectively convey our corporate strategy and objectives in order to maximize employee productivity and loyalty. By following these best practices, CEOs can help ensure their team is informed, motivated and empowered to make progress through difficult times and focus on the road ahead.
During a crisis, an employee’s most trusted source of information is often their employer. For this reason, a leader’s words and actions can have a major impact on the well-being of those they manage; they can help keep people safe, help them adjust and cope emotionally and help them put their experience into context and draw meaning from it.
But crises also present leaders with infinitely complicated challenges and no easy answers. Tough trade-offs abound, and with them, tough decisions about communicating complex issues to diverse audiences.
The good news is that the fundamental tools of effective communication still work. Define and point to long-term goals, listen to and understand your stakeholders, and create openings for dialogue. Be proactive. But don’t stop there. Superior crisis communicators also do these five things well.
Distill meaning from chaos. The crisis will end. Help people make sense of all that has happened. Early on, be clear about what your organization will achieve during this crisis. Establish a clear vision, or mantra, for how the organization and its people will emerge. Explore ways to connect the disruption employees face to something bigger.
While it’s important to shape a story of meaning for your organization, it’s equally important to create a space where others can do the same for themselves. Ask people what conclusions they are drawing from this crisis and listen deeply.
* Rochelle Neidel is a communications professional with over 8 year media and communications experience. Currently employed at FISHCOR as the Marketing and liaison Officer.
