When it comes to rolling out any recognition initiative, the right communications plan can give you a running start or it can trip you right out of the gate. To ensure employees understand your recognition program, plan your message well before the actual program is launched.
Under communicated programs underperform—plain and simple. To launch an effective recognition program, such as an internal branding initiative, HR leaders should work with a partner that truly understands communication design, production and management and do so early. According to a WorldatWork white paper, Developing Effective Reward Communications, written by HR professional Debra Corey, there are seven steps to effective communications:
- Identify your objectives
- Create your key messages
- Identify your audience
- Determine your medium(s)
- Create a plan
- Engage with key stakeholders
- Measure your results
And of course, to communicate efficiently to program stakeholders you need a platform that can help you inform, persuade, prepare and, of course, inspire your workforce—one that can help you do so across a wide range of workers efficiently, effectively and economically. For example, our technology makes it easy for program managers to disburse messages to employee segments with pinpoint precision across a variety of outlets; email, text and online, all through a data-based rules engine that follows your employee hierarchy. Tailored communications – addressing each unique audience’s need – is key to their understanding and buying into the program and ultimately the program’s overall success.