Communicate with Employees

Good employer employee communications is the key to productivity, motivation, and profit. When communication with your employees is a two-way process operating continuously and smoothly, the benefits to both company and employees can be tremendous.

No matter what you want to say, Northwest Employee Relations can help. We plan introduction of new programs/projects, communicate changes in benefits or working conditions, script/coordinate video and slide shows, and create day-to-day interdepartmental communications systems.

Surveys

Employee surveys can be efficient ways to gather information on employee attitudes, if they are handled properly. Questionnaires must be carefully designed and follow-up meetings held so that valid information moves from employees to management and from management to employees.

We develop a schedule and handle the survey process, from goals and questionnaire design to statistical analysis and writing announcements to employees. We also facilitate follow-up meetings with employees.

Focus Groups

These are small groups of employees who meet with our facilitator to focus on a specific issue, often productivity. Afterward, a report, including recommendations for action, is written to management. Next, feedback meetings make sure employees have a prompt response. Finally, action taken as a direct result of the groups provides credibility and follow-through, and is publicized. These groups can defuse potentially explosive situations. If handled improperly, however, they can turn into gripe sessions that serve no useful purpose. If handled properly and conducted regularly (as seldom as once a year, as often as once a month) by an experienced facilitator, focus groups can improve productivity, morale, employee satisfaction, and profit.

Feedback Systems

We can design a system to keep your employees "plugged in" and help create the sense of belonging and recognition that is essential to any winning team effort. Payroll stuffers, posted notices, newsletters, special events, suggestion recognition programs -- the information flow can take many shapes, depending on your needs and budget. What's important is not how much money you spend, but that the feedback be regular, useful, and in a form that has meaning to your employees.