Chat/collaboration platform

In my work, I usually think about four things when I begin to develop a communication plan within an overall change management program:

#1: The Receiver - who has to get the message and what you want them to know, feel or do when the message is delivered.

#2: The Type of Message - strategic, tactical, urgent, informational, inspirational.

#3: The Sender - Executive/Senior Leaders = Strategic/Company/Inspirational messages. Manager = Tactical/Urgent Action/Inspirational messages. Respective Function = Informational.

#4: Company Culture​

The four considerations above help me work with the sponsor, change champion, and the person in #3 to chat the message and determine the vehicle.

Types of vehicles include • website posts • message or collaboration boards (like Slack and SharePoint), • video messages • small group meetings, large group meetings • training materials, games/trivia experiences • electronic notice boards in offices • computer desktop or application messages • good ole email • and, if the culture allows, even physical bulletin boards and desk drops.

No matter which path we take (of course, multiple ways are best!), it's best practice to reiterate why the change/event is happening from the company and employee viewpoint. Include a way for the receiver to take action, and give an interaction. Of course, a way to get more information is always good too.