November 27, 2006

Approach Your Work From a Global Perspective

As organizations become larger and more complex, communicators face the challenge of reaching and engaging a global workforce. How can you ensure your messages are as well understood at facilities throughout the world as they are at corporate headquarters? The first step is to approach communication from a global perspective.

We were recently reminded about the importance of this issue at a global communicators conference we attended. Throughout the meeting, communication professionals from European and Asian countries reinforced the fact that employees experience communication differently outside of North America. With this in mind, here are three strategies for you to consider when communicating to a diverse audience:

1. Keep it simple.
   Nothing frustrates employees more than the lack of clarity stemming from information that doesn’t really tell them anything. One way to eliminate dreaded corporate speak—which includes anything from jargon to meaningless phrases to acronyms—is to keep your messages simple.
   
   Example: Terms such as “optimizing performance” or “leveraging core competencies,” may not resonate with front-line employees and won’t translate clearly in other languages. Similarly, acronyms such as “C.H.I.P.S.,” or “A.C.E.S.” will create more confusion than clarity.
   
   
2. Make it relevant.
   Too often, corporate messages are written for the CEO or shareholders, which is fine in a press release, but not for employee vehicles. As you’re crafting messages from senior leaders, make sure you know exactly what they are trying to communicate and ask them to explain abstract concepts through real-life stories.
   
   Example: Let’s say that one of the corporate priorities you need to communicate is “working smarter, not longer.” On its own, this concept is vague and open to interpretation. However, you can create meaning for employees by sharing local examples of how individuals throughout your company are exhibiting this priority through their work.
   
   
3. Leverage visuals.
   A well-designed visual can have the same meaning globally, offering a rich potential for communicating across language barriers. Whether you’re describing an intricate process change or presenting complicated data, visuals such as charts, models and photos can simplify your ideas and make it quick and easy for employees to internalize complex information.
   
   Example: If you were preparing to communicate about a new safety initiative, an icon of a hardhat would be universally understood.
   
   

For assistance with effectively communicating to a diverse employee audience, contact Joe DeLuccia at:

1.877.399.5100 (Toll-free in the U.S.)
1.201.445.5100