People have an innate desire for order and organization, which is why change is so hard. As communicators, we develop strategies, editorial calendars and content plans and like to be able to count on the fact that things will go as we plan. Employees have expectations based on how things have always worked and when a new communication is added or even worse, taken away, it rocks their boat.

Engage early adopters as collaborative leaders in the changes. To alleviate the stress of communications technology changes, go to your high technology adopters first. This is the group of people within your organization that are the first to get the latest iPhone or another new gadget. Use this group to test your new communication channel, work out the kinks and determine the types of challenges or questions you may experience when rolling it out to moderate or slow adopters.

Technology makes communications better and more challenging. Technology allows us to connect with employees in new ways, creates efficiencies and provides easier measurement opportunities. However, it also opens up endless ways to connect and makes navigating the space more difficult and time consuming.  Trying to determine which channels to use but also keeping content in real time is challenging for even the most complex communication departments, but really hard for departments with limited resources.

Slow down and narrow your focus. With communications technology the possibilities are endless and there is a natural desire to want to do everything that is available. However, you will stress the bandwidth of your department and overwhelm your employees if you do.  Take the time to do an audit of your own communications platform and the new opportunities for the future and then determine what is best for your organization.  The key is to do this audit process on a frequent basis so that you don’t get behind on the options.

Please feel free to contact Tribe to help navigate this space.  We are always happy to help!