Reinvigorating Internal Communications and Employee EngagementDeDe Cordell, Placer County Communications Director (former USACE Sacramento Public Affairs Chief)Lori Woods, Placer County Employee Engagement Analyst

AgendaWhy we are here – It’s all about engagementU.S. Army Corps of Engineers•Process – Results – Implementation

Placer County•Process – Results – Implementation

Your Ideas and Questions

Why we are here

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Our priorities before: external focus; internal secondary

Practicum for Masters degree (11 days left!)Challenge/Opportunity•Improve internal communications•Improve employee engagement/morale•Communicate across stovepipes•Discover what is/is not working

Research Findings – External• The 200 “most admired” companies

prioritized employee coms• Only 30 percent of workers are actively

engaged; 18 percent are actively disengaged

• Create an authentic real-time dialogue with and among your employees

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Research Findings – ExternalSuccess factors: • Know: Strong internal communication =

positive return for the brand • Have: Arsenal of tools/practices for both

listening and communicating• Have: Strong commitment to keeping

employees informed, before stories break • Do: Surround audience in messages

(multiple mediums)• Know: Supervisory to employee

communications is #1

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Research Findings – Internal Audit:• Internal coms not a key business

process• Leader coms varies on skills• Coms all ‘one way’ –

no engagement• Hierarchical bureaucracy and

stovepipes hamper timely communication

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Research Findings – Internal Survey (Survey Gizmo): • Intranet not valued or used• Perception of secrecy or lack of

transparency• More employees – less VIPs in coverage• Remote employees need love too• Elevator bay bulletin boards left a

communication void• Many surveys – no action as a result• PAO announcements #1

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Research Findings – Internal Focus Groups• Used to test our strategies and tactics• Helped refine our plan and ensure employee

buy-in• Workers appreciated opportunity to engage• Wide concern from managers

• Generational/priority differences

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Strategies• Executive leadership

communications• Supervisor to employee

communication• Two-way communication environment -

active employee engagement • Improve & maximize use of current

outputs • Improve coverage of remote field office

staff • Clearly communicate survey findings

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Key Tactics• Intranet revisions – home page• ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions via webinar• Monthly walk-abouts by leadership• Digital display in elevator bays• Communication training for supervisors• More articles featuring remote employees• Town hall revisions• Standard comm objectives for leaders• Leadership buy-in on all recommendations

except objectives

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

Implementation: Easier said than done

Digital Display

Intranet

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Internal Communications

• “Excellent and innovative service delivery relies upon employees that are highly motivated and connected with residents and communities they serve.”

• David Boesch

First StepsHuman Capital Institute Conference Resources

Why work with a consultant?• Build trust• Established survey deployment tools• Expert data analysis• Action planning

Our Itinerary• Survey design• Survey deployment• Data analysis• Focus groups• Action plans

Survey Results

Survey Results

High Performing Areas• Working environment• Coworker relationships• Work life balance

Survey Results

Opportunities for Improvement• Senior Management

Relationships• Rewards & Recognition• Compensation

Internal Communication Theme

3 I Communication Model Embraced

Employee Portal Update kicked into high gear

Our SharePoint Superstar

Meet Darren!

Portal CharterVisionGoals• Enhance Communication• Improve Productivity• Promote Employee

EngagementBackgroundProject approachRole clarificationMilestonesCommunication planCritical success factors

Involve-Genius Hour

Roll-Out

After Go-Live

Another Opportunity to• Involve• Interact• Inform

Our Internal Communication Future

Where does the road ahead take us?

Key Findings

• Resources are scarce• Management needs help to understand

engagement & talent management• Ask & listen to employees• Do something• Building trust takes time• Enthusiasm is contagious

Genius Moments• We want to hear if any of you have

genius ideas that helped you to move past similar challenges.

• What is working in your agency/org

Thank you.DeDe Cordell, Placer County Communications Directordcordell@placer.ca.govLori Woods, Placer County Employee Engagement Analystlwoods@placer.ca.gov