April 2008

Wow! Not to be too much of a punster, but my column on communication in the last OnTrack generated more reader communication than any topic I can remember. Anne Hastings at Neal's Yard Dairy in London expressed a common sentiment when she wrote: "We aren't any more creative than the standard memo or email and relying on managers to then pass on key points from emails. It does work but there must be a better and more direct way." Luckily, many of you have discovered some better ways and were willing to take the time to let us know about them. All of the feedback we received is accessible through the links below.

I've grouped the ideas into four categories, but there is definitely overlap, so I recommend reading them all. Thanks to everyone who wrote!

Face-to-Face

One system we use is to have each shift supervisor discuss the information with the co-workers on their shift. The shift supervisors work from a master employee list and the employee initials next to their name after the information has been reviewed. Once completed the list is handed back to the Manager. It is hands on and no one is forgotten.
Justine L.
Answer Group/Radio Page, Salisbury, MD
read more ideas

Logbooks

I have used an employee notebook that is by their time cards. If anyone in management has an observation or new information or concern, they write it there. Every employee is to check the notebook everyday before they start their shift. This worked well when there were multiple buildings on site. This way no one missed getting the new info.
Judy K
Bud's, Interlochen, MI
read more ideas

Leveraging Technology

Skype. This free program is pretty good for multi-party conference calls of up to 10 people. Whenever we need to have conference calls, we use this. The sound quality is usually superior to any landline or cell phone as long as you have a reliable internet connection. We routinely use Skype to chat with the folks at our printing plant in Korea. It's great.
Peter S.
Asgard Press, virtually everywhere
read more ideas

Other Ideas

Assuming people are in the same building - give kudos to an "off the top of the head" idea that someone comes up with and runs down the hall to tell someone about. These ideas tend to generate more excitement than an e-mail or white board because it's new to the person (light bulb!) and the person wants to share it with someone. Maybe call it "light bulb" communication and from one person's exciting idea may come an impromptu staff meeting, further discussion via e-mail, etc.
Brenda R.
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
read more ideas

I also want to say that we're very pleased with how many of you let us know you like the email format. It not only saves paper and postage, but it also allows us to include those people who are overseas and didn't get the snail mail version.

Keep those cards and letters coming!