Communication is the soul of a thorough workforce management practice.
From setting the right expectations and more significant purpose, boosting working culture to nurturing responsibility, effective communication will always be the prime aspect. A clear message, reliable communication not only enhances employee engagement but builds better relations with customers and partners.
When a crisis such as COVID-19 pandemic has hit the whole world, effective communication has become even more critical during times of uncertainty.
The situation has forced businesses to take extreme measures to change the ways they run the business. These changes not only include asking people to work from home but also closing workplaces, factories, changing the way companies serve customers, and activating Business Continuity Planning to reduce the impact on their Customers, Employees, Partners, and more.
Effective Communication is the Key to Bind Teams Together
If we consider the shifting workplace condition, active workforce communications are significant than ever. A crisis, whether a natural calamity, a corporate meltdown, or a pandemic, affects the associated people. However, effective communication can bind the teams and keep them informed, engaged, and moving during a crisis. Also, those communications, with a clear message, can boost the brand image.
In this post, we will explain how you can address your people during this challenging time without creating panic and anxiety.
Take Quick Action
When a crisis is faced, it’s vital to address the issues at the earliest. In the case of speedily affecting the COVID-19 pandemic, you should let your workforce know that you are ready to address the situation and finding solutions to their worries. Whether they are your employees, customers, or partners, you need to assure that they are the priority.
Message Consistently
Consistent messaging is crucial. While different employees have different anxieties and different customers have different requirements, it’s essential to keep your messaging constant.
Talk to them frequently, listen to their concerns, and provide solutions. In this prevailing situation, some of the queries may revolve around schedule changes, remote work, payment arrangements, leave management, and other functional issues.
Show Empathy
Empathy for your people during a crisis is important. Even if face-to-face communication isn’t important, frequently check on your employees, customers through emails. Ask them about their health and family welfare. Sometimes you can send through a recorded message, motivating them to hope for the best and let them know that you are with them.
Be Open for a Feedback
Active communication is more than just bulletins and announcements. It’s about being open to feedback and work on those. You can have an occasional discussion to let your people raise their concerns. One of the best ways is to be available on real-time chat applications such as MS Teams; these are appropriate not just for group discussions but for one-on-one sessions. It’s quicker than an email and helps send information in no time.
A Platform to Stay Connected
To put a good communication process in place, you should be ready with the information and tools to handle a crisis. Be ready with a platform to keep people connected with they stay safe at their homes.
SpadeWorx provides you with a ready-to-use, template-driven Crisis Communication Solution that will help you;
- Create announcements, news, resources, communities, and calls-to-action
- Create a central resource for leaders and communicators to share important news and announcements
- Create a place to connect people across the organization
The solution is equipped with vital features to stay on top of operations and team communications.
Reduce the impact on customers, employees, and partners for seamless business continuity.