Guide to Employee Communication Materials

Employee communication strategies are far more sophisticated than they used to be. Whereas a company newsletter or a glossy brochure describing employee benefits was once thought to suffice, current thinking on business strategy has done a "180" in this area. Modern business experts no longer believe that such basic and impersonal forms of company communication are enough to create and maintain a vibrant—and profitable—enterprise.

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all employee communications materials. Customization is in. For many companies, outsourcing business communications has become the order of the day. The following are some benefits your company will enjoy once you've developed and implemented the right employee communication strategy:

1. Greater employee engagement and "ownership" of company objectives

2. Increased loyalty to the company

3. Higher productivity levels

4. Easier transition during periods of change

5. More profitable bottom line

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand what a good employee communications program can do for your company

Before you can implement an effective employee communications program, you must know exactly what such a program involves and how it can benefit your company's bottom line. Information on business communication material types and employee communication methods is widely available online.

I recommend: Employee Benefit News helps you measure the ROI (return on investment) you'll gain through your employee communication program.

Find companies that specialize in creating employee communications materials

Many companies offer tools and services to aid you in communicating with employees more effectively.

I recommend: Direct Data Communication and Cammack LaRhette Consulting offer a number of services which can help you develop the employee communication documents your business needs. HR Communications provides personalized content delivery, as well as DIY (do-it-yourself) employee communications materials for HR (Human Resources).

Get your employee communication material as part of a package of other business services

Outsourcing business communication functions can bring added benefits to your business. Many companies provide full-service employee communication solutions, complete with all necessary materials.

I recommend: Cassady Neeser & Brasseur offer employee benefits consulting and brokerage services, which include a number of custom communications options. HumaNext also offers a variety of employee communications services, materials and programs to keep your employees in the loop. Benefit Design Consultants helps you design and manage your entire employee benefits plan, providing all the forms and templates you need.

Use a consultant to help you customize your employee communication materials and program

Employee communications consultants have the skills to personalize your program, helping you create the business communication materials that are right for your company and your employees.

I recommend: Eloquor Consulting offers a number of different employee communication strategies. Emerge Communications also offers employee communications services, along with employee surveys and other employee communication materials to help facilitate understanding and feedback.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• When engaging a company to create customized business communication materials, or when outsourcing your workplace communication functions, be sure the company you choose shares--or at least understands--your personal philosophy and can transfer that philosophy into the employee communications it creates for your business. If you aren't sure about this, ask for a sample communication. At the very least, be certain that you'll be directly involved in the development of your company's employee communications materials.

The official source of Employee Communication Materials is
the Employee Communication Materials page at Business.com