http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/ CRA, Inc., this site offers tools, insights, and news related to organizational, internal, and leadership communication.

Keep current with CommLog: Click here to receive CommLog updates via email.]]> en-us mroach@cravalleyforge.com Wed, 18 Jan 2006 10:48:45 -0500 http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003753.html While doing some client research on intercultural communications, I found this simple article from HBR's Working Knowledge. The author offers tips for communicating with a diverse workforce: 1. Learn how the source culture best receives communications. 2. Train international employees early and often. 3. Train the non-foreign-born, too. 4. Assign mentors and take care of the spouses. 5. Practice open-door communication--carefully. 6. In company-wide communications, avoid jargon and slang. 7.... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003661.html The current issue of Fortune profiles “10 Top Leaders And Their Secrets.” It’s an interesting read, made even more so by the repeated references to the importance of leadership communication. These leaders echoe the counsel we give our clients everyday. Things like ... Spend 85 percent of your time on the road talking to people (not emailing them). Coach 100 to 200 employees in a given month (it's worth the... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003644.html Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopedia created by volunteers, was recently the subject of a hoax, in which false information was intentionally included in one of its entries (I've included the AP Story in the extended entry below.) This reveals the downside of Wikipedia, which may be vulnerable to false information. But it also reveals the upside -- the perpetrator of the hoax was tracked down and revealed by a Wikipedia contributor.... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003597.html http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003520.html http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003499.html http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003498.html Conflict is a necessary evil. When used correctly and depending on the attitudes and perspectives of those involved, conflict can: * Diffuse a more serious conflict. * Spark an urge to search for more facts or solutions. * Increase group performance and cohesion. * Find where you stand on a particular topic. So how do you get to a spot where conflict can influence and help facilitate these positive outcomes?... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003494.html I drove to the Toledo airport Friday evening amidst a flurry of NPR commentary about Scooter Libby's indictment and Harriet Mier's stepping down (gotta love All Things Considered). At the end of the segment, Bob Siegel made an interesting point...and one that many of us make almost every day: One of the most out of touch people in any organization (if not the most) is the person at the top.... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003473.html Gathering data from employees and stakeholders (both internal and external) helps us make smarter decisions. But if we want our audiences to continue responding to our surveys and to take our improvement efforts seriously, we need to make sure that all data-gathering efforts: * Reflect the Right Methodology (the right sample, questions, data collection method, and analyses) * Send the Right Messages…implicitly and explicitly, to the respondents whose perceptions we’re... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003460.html Is there really such thing as a dumb question? Sure, according to Fortune magazine, when used wisely"dumb questions" have potential to get to the heart of the matter. ...a powerful insight into business success, one that applies to every industry on every continent in every era: Dumb questions lead to smart decisions.... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003438.html A great source of cheap, hi-resolution, royalty-free presentation graphics: iStockphoto.com. Great images for just a buck or two a piece. Replace your clipart with these kinds of images and do yourself (and your audience) a favor ...... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003437.html According to The Guardian, our friend David Allen and his Getting Things Done philosophy have achieved cult status. In particular...Web and IT professionals have taken Allen's core ideas and refined them into ever more effective tips called "life hacks". Adherents swap these across a broad network of blogs, wikis and websites such as 43Folders.com - all amid a considerable amount of one-upmanship over who has the biggest and best system.... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003436.html In our leadership coaching practice one of the things we tell our clients is that while it's okay (and usually even smart) to be skeptical about results, always be optimistic about people. A quote was recently passed on to me by a client that emobdies this principle and represents a philosophy to live by when growing your talent: "Always stick with the optimists...it's going to be tough enough even if... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003430.html Friend, colleague, and CRA client Steve Wilson of McDonald's is getting some well-deserved recognition for his efforts to bring blogging to the Golden Arches. (This ClickZNews piece is just the latest, and Steve's been hitting the conference trail pretty aggressively as well.) Just over a year ago Steve asked that I speak to a collection of McDonald's leaders and content managers. The topic was the implications of new media (in... http://www.craweblogs.com/commlog/archives/003414.html Hot off of PR Newswire...Management Failing to Connect With Employees at Almost Half of Companies, Says Survey According to the report, Best Practices in Employee Communication: A Study of Global Challenges and Approaches, 48 percent of 472 organizations surveyed worldwide said their management has not effectively communicated their business strategies to employees and engaged them in living it in their daily jobs. As a result, only about one-third -- 37...