5 ways for companies to communicate and be heard

Communication in an organisation is like a glue to bind the workforce together, which helps connect the diverse workforce to achieve targets. It is not only important to build a good communication channel but also imperative to ensure it is up and running with timely interventions.

ET talks to experts for tips to maintain effective communication with employees.

1 Two-way Communication
It is necessary to have a two-way flow of communication in an organisation. A two-way communication channel should be maintained by design with regular checks on any roadblocks that clog the flow. “Communication must not always be from the organisation to the employees but must flow back from the employees to the organisation as well," said Sriram Vaidhyanathan, Chief Human Resource Officer, BankBazaar.

2 Use of Social Media
Social media acts as an open channel for communicating and connecting across all levels, functions and departments in an organisation. “Organisations should maintain an open channel of communication using social media that allows employees and managers to express themselves freely with each other without any fear or prejudice,“ said Hanan Delvi, chief people officer, Zerodha. However, Sandeep Kohli, talent leader at EY, advises to focus more on building communication channel with each and every individual apart from addressing them as a whole through social media. “I believe `Low tech, high touch' is the way forward on communicating with employees in a one-to-one or one-to-few format,“ Kohli said.

3 Constant Communication
There are times that important piece of information gets lost in the mail box or when employees are travelling. It is best to reiterate important piece of information to the employees. “There is nothing like over communication and people should feel that they are always in the know,“ said Sandeep Kohli, talent leader, EY. Delvi also suggests that an internal blog should also be maintained on current events related to the organisation. “This is helpful to newer employees to get acquainted with the company history,“ Delvi said.

4 Be Consistent
“Keep your messaging consistent and transparent, and never miss an opportunity to communicate the value and belief system of the organization," says Vaidhyanathan. This works like a reminder to employees and helps in reinstating the company's values among them. Communication should not be a one-off thing. It has to be maintained on a regular basis.

5 Innovative Communication
To bring in freshness to the communication process. “Try to make it interesting without sticking to any template. Let the communication be natural and relevant,“ says Vaidhyanathan. Delvi suggests regular informal interactions like outings and games for a long-lasting bond.Innovation around communication helps to get ideas across to employees faster. Think of innovative ways to connect and communicate with employees.