Internal communications audit
What kind of tools can you recommend for doing an internal communications audit?

The requestor and requestee
In a communication setting when subject A requests something of subject B, who is responsible to ensure follow-through - the requestor or the requestee?

Tents on your table?
I would like to know what the pros/cons are to using table tents as a potential communication vehicle. Specifically, when are these appropriate to use?
– New to the process, Newark, DE

Employee recognition/awards programs
Where can I find out about best practices in employee recognition/awards programs? Am interested in talking with vendors who have worked with companies that do this well (i.e.,both program design and award ceremonies), in addition to people in the "best practice" companies themselves. Would also be interested in speaking with vendors who have developed successful "salesperson of the year"-type recognition programs (again, design and ceremonies). Can you help? Thank you.
– Rewarding Employees

Developing a mission or culture statement
I'm working in a start-up company and have been asked to put together a mission or culture statement. This is a new one for me! Do you have any good examples or tips? I do have input from various people across the organization which will be beneficial.

Death of an Employee
I have a question that I have not seen addressed elsewhere: How do you communicate the death of an employee? Over the weekend, one of our employees died at a young age. We are currently doing some internal research to obtain more information about this case, but I thought it was important to go outside and see what the "industry standards" were for this type of crisis. Even though we are a large organization, this is not something we have a lot of experience with...

Your prompt communications guidance is appreciated. Thank you.

Best regards,
Saddened

Trademarks
What is the purpose of trade marking? Is it possible to trademark the title of an internal publication?

Building a Communications Function
Our institution is looking to develop a dedicated internal communications function. Do you have any benchmarking data regarding internal communications at other educational or corporate institutions?
—Building a university communications function

Motivating Employees in a Fiscal Crisis
Our company was recently sold, and despite plans to reinvest in the company, money is very tight. Upper management has decided that we need to be honest with our employees (900+) about the situation and encourage them to think of creative ways that we can add revenue and cut costs—even the non-revenue generating areas like corporate communications. What suggestions do you have for communicating our financial situation? I’m interested in content and tactical ideas as well as thinking outside the box about a campaign.
—Cutting costs in the Carolinas

Tied up in Approvals
I'm so tied up in approval for communications that I can't accomplish anything. Our manager is frequently questioned by high-level executives about things such as word choice in our communications to employees. It drives our manager to insist on approving everything that is produced from my team. I currently have to submit a weekly report of our customer satisfaction to five individuals for approval prior to distribution; this is considered a low-impact project. It is killing morale and drive among my team. How can we provide awareness without creating a bottleneck that prevents us from producing timely information distribution?
—Fit-to-be Tied in Kansas

Translating Tech Talk
As part of my job, I have to communicate what my company’s top scientists are working on to the rest of the organization. I have a hard time understanding what they’re talking about, never mind writing about it in a way so that other employees can understand it. Do you have any suggestions?
—Bewildered in Boston

Killing corporate speak
I’m having a hard time eliminating “corporate speak” from my company’s communication vehicles. Do you have any suggestions?
—Needs Help in New Jersey

From print to the web
My company has just instituted a ‘paperless environment’. Should we simply move all previously printed information onto the web?
—Confused in Connecticut

24/7 or twenty-four hours, seven days a week?

What is the preferred way to write 24/7, twenty-four hours, seven days a week, etc.?
—Troubled in Time in Virginia

Tied up in approvals
I'm so tied up in approval for communications that I can't accomplish anything. Our manager is frequently questioned by high-level executives about things such as word choice in our communications to employees. It drives our manager to insist on approving everything that is produced from my team. I currently have to submit a weekly report of our customer satisfaction to five individuals for approval prior to distribution; this is considered a low-impact project. It is killing morale and drive among my team. How can we provide awareness without creating a bottleneck that prevents us from producing timely information distribution?
—Fit-to-be Tied in Kansas

Using e-mail more sensibly and effectively
My company uses e-mail so much that it’s almost becoming an ineffective means of communication. Is there a way to ‘reign in’ employees and encourage them to use e-mail more sensibly and effectively?
—Puzzled in Philadelphia

Communicating new company goals
My company is preparing to announce new company goals and I’m having trouble figuring out how to make them easy to understand for employees. How can I communicate the goals in a way that doesn’t seem so overwhelming?
—Inquisitive in Indianapolis

Public speaking skills
I’m terrified of public speaking and I’ve just been selected to give a presentation at a meeting next month. How can I overcome my fears?
—Anxious in Atlanta

An effective communicator
I’m working with a manager who’s in need of communication development. How can I help him become a more effective communicator?
— Wants to Help in Washington, D.C.

Suggestions for research methods
I really need to persuade my boss to implement a new project, but I don’t have the budget to do any formal research to support my plan. Do you have any suggestions for low cost or no-cost research methods?
— Perplexed in Portland

Merged: Communication Vision
We recently merged with another company and just finished business planning. As part of the business planning, our executive team spent a day developing a new vision, mission and values.
— Recently Merged

Stuff Looks So Good?
I work for a company whose top management truly believes in the importance of internal communication and provides a respectable budget for such. Our group acts as an in-house advertising agency for the company and therefore can produce high quality communiques at a fraction of the cost that we would incur if we had to hire outside sources. So what's the problem?
— Sick of the Whining in Wisconsin

How Do I Launch Program?
My team and I just created this great new communication program, but my boss isn’t keen on letting us get the implementation process started. How can I convince her that this program is worth launching?
— Curious in Chicago

E-Mail Overload
Employees are complaining about getting too much e-mail from my department. Our e-mails contain important information, but I’m afraid that people aren’t reading them. How can I be sure that employees get the information they need, even if they only skim the e-mail?
— Seeking Suggestions in Seattle

Feeling Isolated
I work in a location where there are no other communication professionals. I feel isolated from my peers and often struggle because I don’t have a “team” nearby to use a sounding board for ideas.
— Isolated in Iowa

Show Value
In this era of downsizing and cost–cutting, I’m eager to learn how I can demonstrate my value to the company.
— Eager in Eastern Pennsylvania