Question about Internal Communications at Your Organization

Michelle Tribe

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm looking for some feedback and ideas. My organization has an internal communication issue, where we're finding each different department is quite insular, important messages aren't being shared, and team-building isn't happening.  Have you faced this challenge at your organization and come up with some fun ideas?

I work at an animal welfare organization with two buildings, and now a mobile spay/neuter vehicle. I've been tasked with coming up with ways to get upper management more involved in daily operations and how to reduce "manager fear". One thought we have is engaging management in a "Scrubs Day", where they put on uniforms and work with front-line staff and animal-care attendants.

Thank you for any feedback and ideas!

~Michelle 


Michelle Tribe

Coordinator: E-Giving

Ottawa Humane Society

Tom Klimchak

I think all organizations have internal communication issues to one degree or another.  We're in a similar situation: we have multiple departments in multiple buildings (and some home offices) scattered around. 


I love the "scrubs" ideas!  We've only started working on the issue, but we are getting better.  Here are some of the things we've done to improve communication in the last year or so:

• Bring in a professional to administer a personality test for everyone.  There are lots of them out there.  It was a fun way for us to learn about each other and appreciate everyone's differences.  We have our results posted and we still sometimes refer to it when we want to work with someone else of a different personality type.
• We started a "social events" committee.  It's only a few people, but they hold small events/gatherings for everyone.  Tends to get people talking and more comfortable working together.
• We have a monthly meeting scheduled which has been designed for "information sharing".  Each department/person gets 5 quick minutes to explain past and upcoming projects in their area... Then further discussion can follow after the meeting has ended.
• Implement Slack: we setup Slack for messaging.  It's a little quicker than email, but we're finding it's only used by people of a certain generation. Still trying to get people on to it...
  
   

I'd love to see other recommendations/ideas!


 

Michelle Tribe:

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm looking for some feedback and ideas. My organization has an internal communication issue, where we're finding each different department is quite insular, important messages aren't being shared, and team-building isn't happening.  Have you faced this challenge at your organization and come up with some fun ideas?

I work at an animal welfare organization with two buildings, and now a mobile spay/neuter vehicle. I've been tasked with coming up with ways to get upper management more involved in daily operations and how to reduce "manager fear". One thought we have is engaging management in a "Scrubs Day", where they put on uniforms and work with front-line staff and animal-care attendants.

Thank you for any feedback and ideas!

~Michelle 


Michelle Tribe

Coordinator: E-Giving

Ottawa Humane Society