Businesses need to implement effective communication techniques for their employees during these times of recession. With the pandemic in full swing, clear communication within and outside the organization has never been more important. In this article, we will investigate why communication is so important during these testing times, and how we can effectively communicate within and outside the organization.
Why is communication Important during these times?
We are going through unprecedented times. Hence, it is essential that we stick together and help each through this testing situation the pandemic has brought about. Moreover, with social distancing in effect, people are meeting less often and staying in their homes. Thus, continuous communication through various mediums has become a necessity. Why is this so important though?
Human beings are social animals and it is in their nature to want to socially interact with one another. However, with COVID-19 prevalent and unlikely to go away anytime soon, we have been forced to find alternate ways to interact. With physical interaction become lesser, it has become increasingly important to communicate through other channels to maintain one’s mental health. This problem has become quite prevalent for businesses as well. Hence, many businesses are adapting to the new normal and making sure they effectively communicate with employees. Let us take a look at some effective communication techniques businesses can use to communicate with employees.
Read: The Importance of Business Communication
Effective Communication techniques for businesses
Businesses are struggling to communicate with their employees during these difficult times. Let us look at some effective communication techniques that can help deal with your employees during a recession, or in general.
1. Frequent communication is key
This is where many organizations fail. Frequent communication helps keep your employees in the loop and makes them feel a part of their organization. Hence, feelings of ownership and belonging start to develop. They will reward this by putting their hearts and souls into everything they do, especially during the tough times.
2. Taking regular feedback is essential
An effective communicator always takes regular feedback. Therefore, make sure regular feedback is taken from your employees. This will help you to improve upon current practices and make your employees feel like their opinion matters. Implementing an employee feedback app can streamline this process, allowing employees to share their thoughts and concerns easily, whether it’s about workplace conditions, company policies, or job satisfaction. This will motivate them to voice any and all concerns since they know upper management is listening. As a result, a more inclusive and open organizational culture will be promoted.
3. Make work from home comfortable and effective
With mass lockdowns in place, work from home may be here to stay for a while. Hence, you must make sure employees are comfortable in their homes. With constant distractions, working from home can be a real hassle. Let your employees know that you are with them in this (send a goodie bag?) and constantly engage them in activities to keep them motivated and productive.
4. Reassure employees regarding job security
As unemployment rates become staggeringly high, we must ensure that employees are reassured that their jobs are safe. This is the time for businesses to support their employees and make sure their needs are fulfilled during these tough times. For this, the reassurance of job safety becomes crucial.
5. Plan for the future
While it may seem bleak now, there is a future after the pandemic. Management should effectively plan for this very future and tell their employees about these plans. Knowing that the organization has clear goals for life after COVID, the employees will feel relieved and can focus on their work much better.
Means of Communication
While communication techniques allow the company to better run the organization, they must decide the mediums through which they communicate. The likes of Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams have made the process of organizational communication much smoother. Hence, businesses should adapt and discover new technologies and means to effectively communicate among themselves and with their various stakeholders.
After reading this article, how would you describe your communication skills? Have you and your business been following these effective communication techniques? Let us know in the comments below!
