How to Effectively Communicate Change

Tips to Effectively Communicate the Change

1. Communicating change can be uncomfortable, and there is no perfect way to communicate the change. Think about the people you are presenting to – try and adapt your style to meet the needs of your audience.
2. Think about what is specifically changing. Ensure the message aligns with your organisation's strategy. Try not to have too much jargon, as this can cloud the message.
3. As you start developing the communication, think about the outcome you want to achieve. What are the changes? – what actions do you want your audience to take away with them? Be specific about timeframes and next steps.
4. Ensure there is a sign-off process with your media and communications teams, so they are aware of the communications from a media perspective and how people within your organisation may respond.
5. Once you have shared the information with your team, keep the communication channels open. Then, as and when you have updates – share the information.
6. Use a variety of communication pathways and channels. 
7. Ensure your team have multiple opportunities to share concerns, ask questions, offer ideas, and follow up with answers and updates.
8. Remember, people have different communication needs – if you are writing communications, it is good to include a summary upfront for those happy just to read a summary and then further detail for those wanting more detail.
9. Be as authentic as possible; the more open and authentic you are with people, the more comfortable and trusting they will be about the messages you are giving them.
10. FINALLY, remember the WIIFM (what's in it for me?) – keep your communications targeted to the user reading them, focusing on what they need to know and how it impacts them.