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I
have been set to the task of suggesting ideas in which the managers in our
organization can improve communication within the organization considering it is
a 24-hour operation and the management are only on site 9-5. Staff work on a
rotation, which proves that e-mails do not work, as everyone is not there to
read them on time, and time for management forums is limited. I would appreciate
a little help if possible as I am a bit stuck on this one.
Signed,
Management Quizkid
Dear
Quizkid:
I forwarded your question to Lee Cohen, one of our respondents who on past occasions has shared his business savvy. His remarks speak to your question. Do think about the implications of his remarks regarding asking what it is that needs communicating. If certain messages are indeed important and can best be delivered personally by managers, those manager must work beyond their regular day shift schedules.
See Mr. Cohen's answer below.
WEGO does not happen by indirect and impersonal channels of communication.
Bill Gorden
In response to this question, I offer the following comments. Communication, or lack thereof, or poor communication, is frequently cited as a problem in organizations. Poor communication can lead to a variety of problems including reduced productivity, low morale and high turnover.
If an organization seeks to improve communication, the first step should be to analyze the current state of communication. What is happening or not happening? The writer states that "emails do not work...and time for management forums is limited." It sounds like there is a need for face-to-face communication.
Most management experts recommend MBWA or "management by walking around". Simply put, managers need to get out of their offices and put time on their schedules to talk with employees. If you run a 24-hour operation, this might mean that a manager arrives early or stays late. Having worked in 24-hour operations myself, I can tell you that a manager who showed up at midnight would surprise the staff. The staff might initially be wary or skeptical of the manager's motives. But if a manager was there to listen and talk with employees and if the manager did this more than once, both the manager and employees could gain enormously.
Of course, the reverse question is, if you don't need managers from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m. and the operation still works, why do you need them at all? But that may be a different question altogether. Failure to communicate leads to many problems and the solution is to find ways to see people, talk to them, ask them how you can communicate better with them.
Good luck (and pack some coffee for the late shift)!
Lee Cohen