| Think back to when you were a kid. Remember when | | | | We'd leave Barbie to fend for herself in a minute, |
| your Mom would tell you to do something? Sometimes | | | | right? |
| it was a random request; like you are playing with your | | | | As the former Director of Communications for Cole |
| Barbie dolls or Legos and she sticks her head in the | | | | National, I often had to communicate messages to |
| door and says, "Come on, get your coat on." | | | | associates that would require change or additional |
| Well, you don't remember any appointment. Nobody | | | | work. Most frequently my writing went under the |
| told you there were plans to go someplace. You are | | | | signature of the President or Vice President of Stores. |
| right in the middle of a Barbie/Ken date and finally | | | | Their goal was a communication that achieved results. |
| found the perfect outfit for Barbie. You even located | | | | My responsibility was to ensure the message was |
| two shoes that match. You look up to find your Mom | | | | read - understood - and acted upon. |
| has already left your room and you holler, "Why?" | | | | To that end, I always included the 'why' behind the |
| "BECAUSE I SAID SO." | | | | information. It doesn't need to be lengthy or |
| Oh, many times, she pulled the "because I said so" | | | | complicated, in fact, if it is - it won't be read. |
| card. Grudgingly you drag yourself off the floor, looking | | | | When communicating with your associates remember |
| longingly down at your dolls and slowly turn towards | | | | these tips: |
| your door. | | | | - If there is an action, task or deadline for the reader, |
| "NOW!" | | | | state it early and often |
| You hear your Mom yell at you to move faster. | | | | - Explain the why behind the message - it should be as |
| You know where I'm going with this, right? How many | | | | simple as a sentence: |
| times have we done the same thing at work? Oh, | | | | "In response to competitor's recent advertising we |
| maybe we don't say "because I told you" but it's the | | | | are..." |
| impression we give. | | | | "Due to changes in our vendor supply capability you will |
| So how does that make our associates feel? How | | | | need to..." |
| many communications have you read or even wrote | | | | "In response to requests from your peers we are |
| that spelled out mandatory edicts without an | | | | changing..." |
| explanation? I know, who has time to bring everyone | | | | -Tell them how their compliance will impact the |
| up to speed. | | | | company. When associates realize that the request |
| But how quickly do you achieve 100% compliance | | | | isn't busy work but will actually impact the overall |
| without clearly communicating the "whys." | | | | company results, they are more likely to comply. |
| Let's turn it around and apply the Golden Rule. How | | | | -Thank them in advance |
| would we like to be treated? How important are the | | | | -Reinforce any specific task and/or deadline |
| "whys" to us? | | | | -Give them a contact in case they have questions or |
| Go back to Barbie. What if Mom had said, "Hey, come | | | | comments |
| get your coat on? I can hear the marching band | | | | Create a partnership for success by being informative |
| practicing at the high school - let's go watch them | | | | and providing associates with the "who", "what", |
| play." | | | | "where", "why", "when", and "how". You are letting |
| Or | | | | associates understand the value they provide to the |
| "Grandma called, she's not feeling well and she asked | | | | company's success. That makes everyone a winner. |
| us to come for a visit. Go get your coat." | | | | |