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- Hate to Write? 3 Ways to Start Enjoying It
- What to Write When an Employee Dies
- 5 Ways to Get Your Email Read, Remembered and Responded To
- Six Tips for Writing in Easy Reading Season
- 12 Ways to Plug the Email Productivity Drain
- Two Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing
- 6 Ways to Aim Your Arrow for the Heart
- 6 Ways to Become an Idea Machine
- 3 Reasons Why You Need to Improve Your Writing Skills
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Posts Tagged ‘employee engagement’
It happens all the time. To write an article about an important initiative, I’ve trudged through reports, emails and PowerPoint slides. I’ve talked on the phone to the project leader, who’s quickly reeled off the usual phrases about synergies and scalability, clouds and key metrics.
I get the basic idea, but something is missing. Oh right, the excitement. And somehow I don’t think I’ve connected all the dots.
Then I meet the new guy in IT. He’s a little shy, but I can tell that he’s thrilled that people are taking an interest in the project he’s quietly worked on. I suspect he has combed his hair.
After some friendly chat about his job, he relaxes. Then he talks. And talks and talks. I furiously tap away on my laptop. This stuff is dynamite
When I don’t understand, he doesn’t mind explaining. Sometimes he draws diagrams.
I feel his pride in what he’s accomplished. I sense his satisfaction with coming up with a way to make life easier for other employees or clients or whoever he’s helping. I add him to my Christmas card list.
The IT guy is engaged, that elusive quality that so many organizations pursue. He’ll stay up all night if he’s on a roll. He’ll bore his significant others to tears with his endless talk about the BIG project. He’ll look shocked and insist he was only doing his job when he wins the best employee award.
Better still, he’ll infect other people. They will listen to his unpolished presentations and read the article I’ve written. Though still cautious, they’ll agree to give it a shot. If the change is half as good as he thinks, they’ll catch his enthusiasm.
Viral people don’t just come from IT. They can come accounting, engineering, human resources and anywhere that expertise and enthusiasm can be combined. Though they can be superstars, they’re often found in the corporate mosh pit.
They may be seized by nerd wordiness when they write. They may clam up in front of a video camera.
So it’s up to professional communicators to carry their infectious expertise and enthusiasm. That’s one of the best parts of my job. Yours too?
For everyone who uses a computer, writing is a vital business skill. Because so much hinges on written communication, employees need to write clearly, concisely and quickly. To foster engagement and achieve their organization’s goals, they need to spread their energy and passion through the written word.
Misunderstanding can cost organizations dearly. The Titanic would not have sunk if the navigator had read the iceberg warnings. Wall Street would not have imploded if people understood the meaning of credit debit swaps and collateralized debt obligations.
Understanding, on the other hand, can clear the path to innovation, change and growth. That’s why tech success stories like Apple don’t talk about robust platforms, synergies or share-worthiness. They chat like regular people.
The elephant grows
Routine writing, especially email, drains more and more of each work day. According to a study by the US National Commission on Writing, most employees spend about a third of their day writing. No doubt that proportion is increasing, as we reach out to clients, coworkers and other stakeholders through emails, social media, wikis and other collaborative tools.
The other side of the writing productivity coin is reading. Subpar writing results in other employees or stakeholders spending too much time trying to figure out what a document means or missing out on important information. A survey by the UK’s Loughborough University found that only about a third of emails were straight to the point.
Suppose an employee composes 30 and reads 60 emails a day for a total of 90 emails. If one minute is wasted on two thirds of them, that’s one hour or more lost every single work day. And that doesn’t take into account all the other kinds of writing and reading a typical employee does every day. Ouch.
Wrangle the beasts
| Businesses wouldn’t expect their employees to start using new software without adequate training. Yet, many organizations want their employees to communicate, collaborate and connect without the writing skills they require.Some provide writing training, but they frequently complain that employees don’t retain much. They’re back to their old habits quickly, rambling on instead of getting to the point, using jargon their customers don’t understand or confusing it’s with its or maybe even writing its’.
To help solve this growing productivity problem, every employee who uses a computer should read my book Write like talk–only better. Better still, if they live in the Greater Toronto Area, they should sign up for one of my workshops. Write like you talkMy approach works where others fail because it’s based on everyone’s first and favorite way to communicate–talking. As a result, participants will remember what they learned. With worksheets and checklists for practice, they’ll continue to improve. If you want to learn more about the small-group workshops, check out my new page or contact me and I’ll send you a detailed outline of the options and typical days. Or simply read the book. You writing will become easier, faster and friendlier. Promise. You’ll wish all those people who send you long, foggy emails would read it too. |
I feel overwhelmed after two days of smart people and wise advice. Here are some bits from the sessions I’ve attended.
The unconference
Although the tech people were upset by the lack of wi-fi, the old-fashioned talking around tables worked just fine.
Here’s what some of the people with successful employee social media said:
Anyone can blog about anything as long as it reflects our corporate values.
To encourage people to switch from email, cripple their reply-all and other functions.
Don’t let people comment anonymously or they might get nasty.
Age is not a reliable predictor of who’s going to make use of social media.
Let people create their own intranet based on their interests, for example news on their business unit and wellness advice.
Expect results quickly.
Ask for ideas for cost-cutting or other specifics and let employees comment and vote on each others’ suggestions.
Don’t moderate comments. Very seldom do comments need to be removed.
Go mobile.
Drum cafe
Since drumming is the oldest form of communication, what a great way to kick off the conference. Gotta remember where I stashed my bongos.
He walks the talk
Kevin Warren, CEO Xerox Canada, had us when he called the Excel award he won the Pulitzer of business communication. It’s a phrase we will hear many times, I’ll bet.
But his best, most repeated, line was: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
People were also talking how he had employees write a pretend future front-page business article for the Wall St. Journal about Xerox. Now that’s real vision.
On top of his memorable phrases, he wins my vote Best PowerPoint: nice photos each with a quick, inspiring thought. No bullet points, no boxes, no trouble reading.
The truth about engagement
Julie Gebauer walked us through the latest employee engagement study of Towers Watson.
So much for the myths that people want many careers and money does not engage. According to the Towers Watson global study, employees want, above all, job security and fair pay.
Only after those conditions are filled can you encourage employees to go above and beyond the call of duty, through involved leadership, career development opportunities, empowerment and other strategies.
Definitely worth reading later.
A recipe for merger success
Susan Rink and John Clemons told the stories of some of the mergers they’d been involved with and shared their recipe for success:
Communicate early and often.
Show respect through open and honest communication.
Be responsive.
Align yourself with HR, the executive team and others.
Tap into the power of managers.
Let people mourn.
Don’t order cookies for the celebration too far in advance or they will taste like hockey pucks.