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Running a Communications Department: How Hard Can It Be?

August 18, 2017Lori Rohrbach

Throughout my career, I have worked with executives who valued communications and many who did not.  Those who did not believed anyone could execute the “easy, PR stuff.”  Those who did made communications an integral part of their leadership team and corporate strategy.  Guess which ones were more successful?

Take for example, the recent turmoil at the White House with the hiring – and then firing –  of Anthony Scaramucci as the White House Communications Director. Scaramucci, while an experienced financier, had no communications experience.  However, he did have the President’s ear – as he praised the President’s actions and efforts in any public forum he could find.  How could putting this person with no knowledge of public relations or communications strategy possibly be a bad idea?

As we all know, it was an epic fail.

Executing a communications strategy isn’t easy.  It takes insight into all facets of an organization to develop a vision and mission to serve the overall good of the business and deliver a viable communications plan and platform.  Then, it goes a step further: the plan must be executed.  And, the execution must be done professionally and ethically.

The approach Scaramucci took did get attention – but for the wrong reasons.  Using his role to spew profanities for shock value may have been his way to shake up the organization, but it undermined the role of the Communications Office of the White House.  Rather than bolstering the image of the White House, the Director of Communications chose to appoint himself the playground bully, calling out other staff members of the administration and showcasing the White House as dysfunctional and chaotic.

Personality is important when it comes to being a communications professional.  But it’s also important to be professional, ethical and experienced.  There are rules to be followed, and ways to engage other areas for the greater good.  Communications cannot happen in a silo – or on a single podium.

There’s a lesson to be learned here: political appointees or friends of a CEO are not necessarily communications experts, so let’s leave communications efforts to the experts.

Author: Robin Imbesi

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Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

 

Whether telecommuting is old hat or something you’ve been forced into as part of the COVID-19 shutdown, here are a few tips to make the experience run smoothly for both employers and employees.

 

Managing expectations

Successful work-from-home strategies always begin with clearly communicated expectations. Make sure your employees have any necessary equipment, tools and resources.  Will they need to track their time? Participate in regularly scheduled meetings? Be available at certain times of day? For employees, know what you’re accountable for and clearly communicate any challenges you’re having.

 

Constant communication

Keep the lines of communication open and be accessible. Check in with employees regularly through apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Skype, or even an old-fashioned email or phone call. Be genuinely interested in how they’re doing but don’t overdo it. Foster a feeling of trust by not micromanaging.

 

Nine to five…ish

While having a daily schedule is ideal, it may not always be practical right now. Make sure your people know when you need them to be available and try to offer flexibility at other times. They may be juggling school schedules as well as work schedules and working at “off-shift” times may be necessary. Be mindful of employees in different time zones as well.

 

For employees, try to work when you’re at your best, and not when you’re exhausted by kindergarten playtime and fourth grade math. Make sure people know if you will be unavailable at certain times.

 

Taking a break

Getting up and moving clears the head and helps with creativity and problem-solving. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a break for lunch, make time to get away from your desk throughout the day.

 

Signing off

Working from home does not mean being available 24/7. Set an actual end to the workday if possible. Don’t send and respond to messages at all hours. Sign out of messaging apps and close work programs. Understand and respect these boundaries.

 

Location, location, location

When setting up a home office, think about where you will have the fewest distractions – for yourself and for those who may be seeing you and your background on a video conferencing platform. Try to avoid busy spots that may include semi-clad people walking behind you, barking dogs and kids vying for your attention.

 

Conferencing and calls

Be clear about whether you expect people to turn on their cameras during meetings. If so, be clear about how they should be dressed. During calls, mute your phone when you’re not talking to avoid background noise. Headphones can also help with call quality. When speaking, pause frequently so others can participate in the conversation.

 

Social engagement

It’s ok for managers and employees to have some down time together, which may help ward off feelings of isolation. Keep up your normal level of interaction, perhaps with a virtual coffee break or happy hour. Managers should set the tone for how casual to be. Let employees choose what they would like to share, and never pry into areas that were off-limits before.

 

 

Author: Erin Alderfer

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