Miscommunication leads to lost productivity and even disengagement as employees are unclear on what they should focus on. O.C. Tanner presents ways and resources to support great internal communication, which result in higher levels of employee engagement and lower employee turnover rates.

1. Effective Communication Insights:
Build Up Trust,
Drive Productivity

2. Miscommunication leads to lost
productivity and even disengagement
as employees are unclear on what
they should focus on.
Lack of effective employee communication
is expensive for businesses.
?

3. Employees need information to
make better decisions, but there
are even more reasons to make
communication a priority.

4. Effective internal communication is a
key element for building trust and a
healthy work environment.

5. Communication is an ongoing process
rather than a static event. Employees
generally have a high tolerance for change
if kept in the loop. When communication
breaks down, rumors run rampant and will
directly impact productivity [and] focus...
—Tonya Slawinski, a Ph.D and president of Supportive Solutions, Inc
“
“

6. find and train managers who take a
personal interest in their employees.
Click here to see more about training effective managers.
One critical yet easy way to reinforce
great internal communication:

7. -Nadia Goodman, entrepreneur.com
“
“
Your employees come to the workplace with
their own wants and needs, so getting to know
each person individually helps you ensure
that they understand your expectations
and feel motivated to meet them.

8. In fact, companies with effective internal
communications have reported:
47% higher returns to shareholders
Higher levels of employee engagement
Lower employee turnover rates

9. Along with taking a personal interest in
their employees, here are five other tips
managers can use to improve employee
communication in the workplace.

10. It is tempting to view email as the first and best
communication option. But often times this just isn’t
the case. Talking face-to-face allows each participant
in the conversation to gauge one another’s reactions
and clarify confusion on the spot. People also tend to
listen more closely when interacting in person.
Communicate
face-to-face
when possible1

11. Today many companies communicate internally with social
networks like Facebook or Twitter. Called enterprise social
networks, these are meant exclusively for employees.
Research finds that companies are using these networks:
Use enterprise social
networking tools
2
To share company
best practices.
To facilitate
collaboration.
To evolve company
culture.
To identify expertise
around the company.
Click here to view Mashable’s article for a list of 10 enterprise
networks that improve company communication.

12. The easiest way to lose your employee’s attention
is to present a disorganized argument with a
curtailed thought process. If you’re in an informal,
idea-generating meeting, by all means engage in
that process. However, if you’re trying to
communicate direction to your people, spend a
few minutes organizing what you want to deliver
to make sure the message is clear.
Organize your
thoughts
3

13. Involving stakeholders from the start means
reducing duplicate communications and cutting
down on the “telephone” effect. You’ll be able to
solve unforeseen problems quicker, keep your
team on target, and limit frustrations by making
sure the right people are on the line from the start.
Involve the
right people
4

14. Research proves recognition builds trust in
relationships and helps create confidence in skills.
Recognize day-to-day
efforts, as well as the
big wins5
Strong
Recognition
Weak
Recognition
Employees with a strong
relationship with their managers:
87%
51%

15. Learn how our leadership training programs can
help you become an effective communicator.

16. O.C. TANNER AND THE O.C. TANNER INSTITUTE
O. C. Tanner helps the world inspire and appreciate great work.
Through our innovative cloud-based software, tools, awards,
education, and research, we provide thought leadership and strategic
recognition solutions for thousands of clients globally. Designed to
engage talent, increase performance, and drive corporate goals, our
solutions create personalized recognition experiences delivered
through a smart technology platform.
The O.C. Tanner Institute regularly commissions research and provides
a global forum for exchanging ideas about recognition, engagement,
leadership, culture, human values, and sound business principles.

17. SOURCES
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/227236
http://www.nbrii.com/employee-survey-white-papers/10-things-employees-dislike-most-about-their-employers/
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226952
http://www.inc.com/nancy-mobley/employee-communications-is-more-than-just-talk_1.html
http://www.octanner.com/blog/leadership/8-steps-leaders-take-to-communicate-more-effectively
http://www.inc.com/nancy-mobley/employee-communications-is-more-than-just-talk_1.html
http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/enterprise-social-networks/