With the ongoing effort to dramatically change labor policy, including laws to improve unions ability to organize workers (Employee Free Choice Act), the need to maintain positive employer – employee relationships is more important than ever. Most companies spend money and effort on external/advertising, promotion and communications but fail to expend enough money and effort toward creating an organized plan for internal communications. Communications will occur whether planned or not. A consistent and open internal communications strategy is a proactive approach to developing better directed, more committed, and highly efficient employees. The goal is to bring the messages from upper management to all employees to provide them with a better understanding of the purpose, goals, and directions of the company.

There may be no other position in your workforce that will more directly impact the effectiveness of an internal communication program than the front line supervisor. A construction project is human endeavor and supervisors are responsible for motivating employees and communicating company goals. A successful supervisor will realize that his/her job is to lead and influence people through effective communications.

Why does a company have to have effective internal communications? Why do supervisors need to have good communication skills? Why motivate at all? People are paid to do the job. Obviously it is not that simple. Everyone wants to be respected, valued and feel they belong, that they are part of a team. This is especially true in construction work where employees from different employers work side by side and communicate all day long. They are hearing a lot of messages. You want your employees to feel valued, respected and important and the message that they hear and trust the most needs to come from you.

To help with information on how to develop effective internal communications, please contact the ABC chapter office.