November 17, 2008

Create a year-end message that gets noticed

The CEO year-end message has remained a steadfast tradition at most companies. But with today’s work environment, is anyone paying attention anymore? Out with the old...approach that is. Mix things up this year to create a CEO year-end message that captures attention.

Whether you want to make a small change or really shake things up, below are a few options that are sure to have impact. Consider adopting all of these options as the “system” for how you share progress and results throughout the year.

   

Options	Good approach	Better approach
Change the timing. Deliver the message in January to set the course for the new year.	Post a video clip of the CEO discussing what needs to be accomplished in the year ahead.	Conduct a live webcast with the CEO where employees have an opportunity to ask questions in real time.
Make it visual. Document major milestones visually using a timeline.	Post an information graphic on your intranet that shows major milestones and their impact on the company.	Make the milestones clickable and use photography, video and Flash animation to explain each and their impact.
Provide context. Create a microsite to explain priorities for the upcoming year and what they mean for each business unit.	Use an interactive org chart where clicking on the photos of the CEO and other senior leaders produces a pop-up with their perspective.	Keep the microsite live and update it monthly to track progress against goals and address changes in course.