Communication is a critical component in any change program. Wikipedia defines communication as conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. Unfortunately the act of conveyance many times equates to repetition and volume. It is said that repetition is the tax we paid for not being memorable. Being memorable requires packaging a message in a manner that can be consumed when the audience is ready to hear it. Using a novel approach is a common mechanism to try to be memorable. For example, I recently observed an Agile implementation that asked participants to collect videos about the implementation using their cell phones to be shared with others in the department. It was a good idea and it worked to make connections. However, in larger organizations novelty has potential risks. For example, humor does not always translate. Even if we all speak the same language our colloquial use of the language can be … well … different. Differences can be both funny and obscure your message. Make sure analogies, metaphors or just plain jokes translate.
PS – Thanks to Ian Brown for supplying the picture!
March 13, 2013 at 9:27 am
A good thought Tom and one I’ll remember. I see what you mean about humour. Spotted Dick is a classic English pudding, up there with sticky toffee pudding and Eton Mess. Serious stuff and no laughing matter. Some puds are even more colloquial – at our school we had a very dark steamed treacle and fruit sponge known as Black Death. Fantastic, especially as half the kids hated it – more for us with hollow legs.
March 13, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Thank you for adding to my understanding of English culture.