Not everyone wants to look at a screen all the time. With a lot of our leisure time based around digital devices too, people are often looking for a break. Don’t underestimate the value of sending printed materials in the post, even if it’s just to keep in touch.
And, just because you have distributed information it does not mean that everyone has read it and understood it. Once something has been sent out do not treat it as job done – follow up is essential, ideally in a different format.
There are three ways to think about the tactics you use, which mix sending information and people having the time to absorb it at their own leisure:
- Self-driven: company intranet, policies and procedures, management and performance reports. Staff members choose when they will read them. These are typically authored by company leadership.
- Company-driven: emails, meetings (virtual or real), calls. Staff participate on demand or when they choose to. These methods are used by multiple people within the business.
- Mixed: internal social media channels such as Microsoft Teams, Yammer, Slack, and interactive methods such as surveys, Wikis, and blogs.
As with most communications, it is important to priortise. Do fewer things well, rather than lots of things badly. And don’t forget to ensure that some of this activity is socially focused, to encourage team bonding and morale.