The Definitive Guide to HR Communication: Engaging Employees in Benefits, Pay, and Performance - Hardcover

Davis, Alison; Shannon, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0137061439 ISBN 13: 9780137061433

Publisher: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall, 2011

Synopsis

Two experienced HR communications consultants show how to dramatically improve the effectiveness of every HR message. HR professionals know their programs are pivotal to organizational success, but they also know how difficult it is to communicate those programs effectively. Hampered by legal restrictions, highly complex policies and programs, corporate politics, and old-fashioned notions about business communication, they create communications their audiences simply ignore. It needn’t be that way! Alison Davis and Jane Shannon present simple, powerful principles and techniques every HR professional can use, even those who’ve never been comfortable as writers. Davis and Shannon demonstrate how to treat employees as customers, and use the same strategies, tools, and care your company uses to sell its products or services. The authors help HR professionals understand their customers’ (and executives’) needs and motivations more clearly; package information to promote faster, better decision-making; and measure their effectiveness. They present specific solutions for safely eliminating unnecessary detail and jargon; explaining benefits, pay, and policies; improving recruiting, orientation, and outplacement communications; supporting retirement planning; and improving performance management.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

“Davis and Shannon make a compelling case for the value of simple, straightforward, and effective HR communication―and provide valuable insight on how to make it happen in even the most complex organizations.”

―Kevin Kelly, 30+ years internal communications veteran

 

“The Definitive Guide to HR Communication is a terrific resource for HR professionals. The examples and illustrations reflect actual issues and challenges we face and are a good reminder of how easily we can disconnect with our audience. The tips, tools, and guidelines are clear and effective in demonstrating alternative approaches to generating employee interest and understanding. I enjoyed reading it, found it very helpful, and have already begun using some of the suggested methods.”

―Diane F. Green, Director of Staffing and Development, Hollingsworth & Vose Company

 

“Even if you’ve been in the communications business as long as I have (more than 30 years!), you can still learn―or relearn―a thing or two. The book is organized so you can find what you need and use what you find.”

―Becky Healy, Agency Communications Manager, State Farm Insurance, and 2010-2011 President, Council of Communication Management (CCM)

 

“There are no two communicators who know more about this subject than Davis and Shannon―who better to write the definitive guide?”

―Kate Nelson, Faculty, Fox School of Business, Temple University

 

“Alison and Jane have put together a must-have resource for any Human Resources leader or professional who is involved with preparing company-wide communication events, or for those who coach those who put on these kinds of events. Written in a clear, easy-to-read format, you will find practical steps, real life examples, and realistic suggestions that, if followed, will dramatically improve the success of your communication events. Take the time to digest this book, follow the advice, and you will see measurable improvement in an area that has been difficult to get right for many organizations.”

―William G. Bliss, President, Bliss & Associates Inc., and author, Advisory Services to Cultivate Exceptional Leadership

 

HR professionals know their work is pivotal to organizational success. But they also know how difficult explaining their programs can be. Hampered by lawyers, complexity, and politics, too many HR organizations create boring, confusing messages–and get ignored.

 

You must change that. And you can.

 

This book will help you dramatically improve the effectiveness of every message you create. Renowned HR communications experts Alison Davis and Jane Shannon present simple, powerful principles and techniques every HR professional can use–even those who hate to write.

 

You’ll discover how to treat employees as customers and use the same strategies and tools your company uses to sell its products or services. Plus, you’ll learn better ways to explain each of your business-critical programs–from compensation and benefits to performance management.

 

These techniques are working right now for dozens of great companies: They will work for you, too.

 

A brand-new approach:

·   Treat employees as customers

·   Plan, manage, and frame

·   Keep it simple and visual

·   Use the right tool for the job

·   Make meetings meaningful

·   Measure your results

 

Specific, proven solutions:

·   Recruiting

·   Orientation

·   Policies

·   Benefits

·   Compensation

·   Performance Management

·   Saving for Retirement

·   Leaving the Company

About the Author:

Alison Davis has served for 25 years as CEO of Davis & Company (www.davisandco.com), helping companies such as BNY Mellon, Georgia-Pacific, IKEA, Johnson & Johnson, MasterCard, and Merck reach, engage, and motivate employees. Davis is coauthor of Your Attention, Please and a weekly blog, “Insights,” at www.davisandco.com/blog. She frequently writes for leading business, communication, and HR publications, and was an online columnist for The New York Times. A sought-after speaker on communication issues, she is former President of the Council of Communication Management (CCM).

 

Jane Shannon, now an independent consultant (www.janeshannon.com), spent much of her career as Vice President of HR Communication at Citibank. She then worked as a Senior Communication Consultant at Davis & Company and as a principal in the communication practice of William M. Mercer, Inc. Her clients have included Texaco, Barnes & Noble, Bank of America, and United Distillers & Vintners. She authored 73 Ways to Improve Your Employee Communication Program and has spoken at communication conferences hosted by the Council of Communication Management (CCM) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). A few years ago, she returned to her alma mater, University of Missouri-Columbia, to teach in its Journalism School’s Visiting Professor Program.

About this edition

• Publisher: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0137061439
• ISBN 13: 9780137061433
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320