When people are the problem, make them the solution
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The internal communications tipping point
As a business grows, communication is essential to change, culture, and getting your people rowing the boat in the same direction. But how do you know when your business has reached the point of needing internal communications
New Ownership, new values
The firm was taken over by a new global parent company, which meant the firm moved from family ownership to shareholders.
Overnight everything changed – ownership structure, strategic objectives, and especially the way of operating. The new ‘top down’ approach resonated badly with a staff used to being involved in operations and decision-making and who had enjoyed the family culture.
The new owners feared losing staff and productivity, but knew the firm had to adjust to being part of a global entity.
The solution was working with the firm staff to develop a new set of values for the firm that aligned the two cultures. Through a series of workshops the staff and the new leadership took the global firm’s values, reward and recognition structure, and policies and adapted them to suit their firm and its people.
The workshop process was valuable in itself, as the two parties came to understand each other. The outcome was a new set of values that helped the business contribute meaningfully to the parent company and to feel it belongs.
Communication helps shape culture
Ask five firm leaders what makes a great culture and you’ll get five different answers, but it’s unlikely one of them will be good internal communications. Which is a shame, because it’s critical.
Best laid plans for 2025
Is your 2025 planning a rinse and repeat exercise? Professional services firms often struggle with disconnected, ineffective strategic planning for various reasons. How can it be done differently?