Everyone loves a new office. Shiny new furniture. A brand new coffee machine. A new area to explore at lunch-time. But any workplace change – whether it be a new office, the introduction of new ways of working or new technology – can be an unsettling time for those worried about job security, a different commute, and something new to use.
How you communicate before, during and after your workplace change has a major impact on how engaged people are with the process, and therefore how successful it is overall.
Follow our seven top communication tips to make your change a rip-roaring success:
- Start early. You don’t want people finding out about the project through the grapevine
- Communicate often. There’s no such thing as too much but don’t overwhelm people with detail too early
- Use a variety of channels. People take on board information in different ways so use different tools to reach them and cement your messages
- Appoint change champions to act as your eyes and ears on the ground. They can respond quickly to any rumours
- Plan for resistance. By having key messages and answers ready for any difficult questions, you won’t be caught on the back foot
- Involve staff in the decision-making around the workplace change, such as choosing the furniture, colours, meeting room names or in deciding on the layout of a new space. If they feel they’ve been involved, they’ll be more engaged and positive about the move
- Don’t stop once the change is complete. Get feedback on how people feel about the change and use that information to improve delivery
For best practice advice and guidance on communicating your workplace change project and more top communication tips, download the free and comprehensive Magenta guide to the topic, join our webinar on 18th January, or contact us about supporting your project.
