Guides and templates for developing and
successfully applying manager toolkits

"If you want to reach and engage employees – and enjoy the associated benefits – you need to get managers on board."
Andy Szpekman, Author, Developing a Communication Toolkit for Managers

Why do so many managers struggle with employee communication?

Could it be that organizations aren't equipping managers with the vital communication know-how they need to communicate effectively? Or does your company already have a toolkit ...which just collects dust?

This new Melcrum practitioner guide on Developing a communication toolkit for managers, by manager communication expert Andy Szpekman, tackles these issues head on. Providing you with an extensive array of tips, tools and templates to create a toolkit designed to improve manager communication.

Whether you’re creating a toolkit from scratch or enhancing an existing one, this report provides you with the materials you need to produce a useful and engaging toolkit, which will make your managers better communicators.

What's the business case for investing in manager communication?

Order with our special discount and you'll take away:

• A step-by-step guide on practical elements you can include in a communication toolkit
  
• Exclusive case studies on toolkits in action so you get a behind-the-scenes look at how leading organizations are maximizing their manager communication skills
• Practical templates, tips, guides, models and road maps from leading organizations' toolkits you can use immediately
• Expert analysis from Shel Holtz, Neville Hobson, Roger D'Aprix, Bill Quirke, Ben Edwards (IBM) and Jacqui Hitt
• Ammunition you can use to convince your managers of the importance of effective communication and ensure their buy-in

You'll also receive exclusive case studies on how toolkits are being used successfully at:

This guide takes you through three important elements of the ultimate practical toolkit, covering planning, leading and engaging employees:

• Easy-to-use 5-step change communication model to ensure managers deliver a successful change communication campaign
• A communication plan template to help managers present communication strategy and tactics

Case studies:

• Agilent: The Quick Communication Model, which helps you decide what to communicate and the best ways to do it
• Inverness Medical: Communication Support Roadmap, for determining what to communicate, to whom, when, where, how and why
  AstraZeneca: Eight-step effective communication approach, which provides managers with an interactive online communication-planning tool

A guide to gathering feedback:

• Using focus groups to assess an audience's mindset before communicating
• Pilot testing a draft communication
• How to survey employees after a communication event

Selecting the right channel:

• How to choose the right channel to deliver your message
• Examples of what each channel does best

Using blogs, podcasts and wikis:

Insight into how new social media tools can help managers share ideas and enhance team collaboration.

Expert advice:

• Shel Holtz shares his insight into how to write a blog
• Neville Hobson suggests possible uses for podcasts

Case studies

• Notiva: Using blogs for project management
• BBC: Collaborating with wikis. Get an exclusive look at how wikis are being used to spur integration and collaboration at the BBC
• IBM's: 5-steps to getting started with podcasting

Conducting team briefings:

Expert advice:

• Bill Quirke shares his insights into how to make team briefings more effective

Case studies:

• Bank of America: Manager huddles' which can be used to convey key messages to shift workers
• Vodafone: Team briefing standards to ensure consistency

Running meetings:

• Ten simple steps to boost the effectiveness of team meetings

Expert advice:

• Jacqui Hitt provides an exercise to help managers boost their listening skills

Making presentations:

• Tips to ensure presentations run smoothly, with a list of dos and don'ts

Delivering bad news:

• Seven simple but effective things managers can do to increase acceptance of a tough message

Expert advice:

• Betsy Pasley offers tips on how to share bad news with employees

Case study:

• Wachovia: Preparing managers to communicate about job losses

Changing attitudes and behaviors:

• How to move employees from attitude to behavior change, by reinforcing messages consistently

Providing feedback and coaching:

• How managers can offer effective employee feedback
• Tips for managers on providing useful coaching

Recognizing and rewarding results:

Expert advice:

• Advice for managers on the dos and don’ts of making recognition effective

Successful toolkits in action - what's happening in your industry?

Rule 1: Incorporating your toolkit into a broader set of guidelines, training and resources

Case studies:

• Thomson Financial: Communication resources for managers
• Siemens: Managers' intranet site

Rule 3: Using briefing packs to prepare managers to convey important information

Case studies:

• CSG Systems: Briefing packs
• Siemens: Tailored toolkits
• Agilent: Strategy toolkits

Examples of resources you'll receive when you order this report:

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