SAN FRANCISCO , CA – 11 October 2005 - Almost half of companies have failed to effectively explain to employees the purpose of their jobs and the mission and strategy of their businesses, according to a survey by Right Management Consultants and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Research Foundation.
According to the report, Best Practices in Employee Communication: A Study of Global Challenges and Approaches, 48 percent of 472 organizations surveyed worldwide said their management has not effectively communicated their business strategies to employees and engaged them in living it in their daily jobs. As a result, only about one-third—37 percent—of organizations reported that their employees are effectively aligned to the missions and visions of their businesses.
According to Paul Sanchez, ABC, APR*, chair of the IABC Research Foundation, “Management often sends inconsistent messages to employees, and isn’t as visible as it should be, especially during turbulent periods. Many managers, including senior-level leaders, lack the necessary skills to effectively engage employees, or don’t understand the roles they need to play."
“Effective leadership communication means that an organization’s leaders have taken the time to clearly and succinctly articulate the vision of the business, show how employees can contribute to it, and demonstrate how it can be ‘lived’ in their daily jobs. At the senior leadership level, ongoing, consistent communication is critical—even when there is nothing new or vital to communicate. This builds trust and credibility," said Chris Gay, one of the study’s authors, and senior vice president and employee engagement practice leader for Right Management Consultants, the world's largest career transition and organizational consulting firm.
Best Practices in Employee Communication: A Study of Global Challenges and Approaches provides hard data, stories, and examples of the ways a wide variety of organizations are meeting internal communications challenges, and includes interviews with past IABC Gold Quill Award winners.
The report is available now as a soft-cover book. Retail price: US$49.60 (IABC members: US$40). Also downloadable in PDF format. Order online at http://store.yahoo.com/iabcstore/beprinemco.html or call 415.544.4700 or 800 776.4222.
About the IABC Research Foundation
The IABC Research Foundation translates communication theory into practice, providing real-world knowledge and applications for the communication profession. Established in 1982, the Foundation is a tax-exempt organization with benefits to the donor under U.S. tax law. For more information visit http://www.iabc.com/rf.
About IABC
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 13,000 members in 67 countries, 100 chapters and 10,000 organizations.
About Right Management Consultants
Right Management Consultants (www.right.com) is the world's largest career transition and organizational consulting firm. It offers services to corporations of all sizes through a global network of more than 300 service locations and the Internet. The company is a worldwide leader in customized career transition solutions and also offers a wide range of organizational consulting services, including talent management, leadership development and organizational performance services. In combination, the two lines of business enable Right to help businesses manage the entire life cycle of their employees. Right is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower, Inc. (NYSE: MAN).
* Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), Accredited in Public Relations (APR)
