Dr. Jason’s I Speak Life™ Newsletter – Volume 8 Issue 7
Inside This Issue
• Improving Internal Communication
• Message from the President
• Consulting Focus: Corporate Wellness
• Industry Perspectives
Improving Internal Communication
One of the key factors that affects employee satisfaction is internal or intra-organizational communication. Internal communication within an organization is the function of how information is conveyed to participants within the firm. It is facilitating strategic connections and conversation. Many organizations spend a great amount of resources on external communication, but neglect internal communication. Internal stakeholders are equally as important. The communication function is crucial regardless of the size of the organization. Large and small businesses alike must address how information is disseminated within its ranks. Too often importance pieces of information remain only with the highest levels of the organization. Keeping team members informed at all levels helps to facilitate buy-in from the members. The more people understand the “why” behind the decisions, the more likely they are to attach themselves to the decision.
Effective internal communication starts with effective communication skills like listening, questioning and sharing feedback. It goes in all directions—downward, upward and laterally. Managements must share information downwardly to all employees. Employees at all levels must communicate upwardly statuses and feedback. All departments and groups must pass information along laterally to other departments and groups within the organization.
Every employee should be aware of company policies, their job description and an organization chart. He or she should also be aware of company objectives and goals. Technology allows for information to be easily and regularly transmitted to all necessary parties. Email, message boards, instant messaging and intranets are all tools that are being effective used today.
Effective communication is essential to achieving a cohesive, productive organization. It helps to improve collaboration and performance. As an organization, there should be a high priority set on improving internal communication. The end result will be a most satisfied workforce and productive team.
Message from the President
“With the freedoms we enjoy as Americans comes responsibility…”
On July 4, the United States of America celebrated the 239th anniversary of its independence from British rule. The founding fathers sought to establish a nation that was founded, among other things, on the principles of freedom, liberty and justice. Those 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence birthed the land that we call home today.
While America is not perfect, we should all celebrate the freedom that living in this great country affords us. If you have ever traveled outside of the U.S. and experienced life from a different perspective, you will most likely have a greater appreciation for what America stands for. Many people in other countries would give almost anything to have what some of us take for granted.
With the freedoms we enjoy as Americans come responsibility. Let’s make sure we are taking advantage of our opportunity and privilege to make a positive difference in the lives of as many people we can on a daily basis. It demonstrates our true gratefulness for the blessings we have a citizens of the United States.
Happy birthday, America!
Consulting Focus: Corporate Wellness
Many businesses and organizations today are promoting initiatives to help improve the overall health of their employees and team members. Corporate wellness is a workplace health promotion activity or policy designed to nurture healthy behavior and result in improved health. Rising healthcare costs are a major contributing factor to these efforts. Increasing medical costs are affecting the bottom lines of many businesses. Business leaders have learned that there is also a benefit to corporate wellness beyond the cost savings.
In general, an increasing number of people are concerned about their physical wellbeing and its relation to their work activities and environment. The focus on wellness often requires a lifestyle change. It first starts with a change in mindset about the responsibility for caring for ones body. If implemented effectively, corporate wellness can lead to smoking cessation, weight loss, obesity prevention, disease management and personal safety practices. It also usually results in higher employee morale.
Corporate wellness programs provide incentives for employees to take the necessary steps to improve or maintain their health. Programs can range from basic services and referrals to customized strategies based on the individual employee’s unique health needs. Successful programs become a part of the organizational culture, not just another agenda. They should involve education and accountability. A study by Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health shows that organizations with highly effective wellness programs report significantly lower voluntary attrition rates. Healthy employees are more productive and energized to perform their daily tasks.
Industry Perspectives
Obtaining a third-party perspective is an important consideration when deciding to engage a consultant for a project. A third person is usually in a better position to make impartial evaluations. Often, being very close to an environment obscures a clear, objective view of what is really going on. There may be certain relationships within the organization that hinder objectivity. A good consultant is neutral and does not have an agenda when he or she comes in, thus eliminating any personal bias. He or she can address the issues that everyone else is afraid to talk about internally, due to fear of the consequences. The right consultant also has the ability to question longstanding traditions and assumptions in a company without repercussions. Having that third set of eyes can be the very thing that helps move the group forward toward the determined goal. Even the smallest observation by the consultant can add a great amount of value to the business.