Improve Manager Cascade
4 Tips for Improving Information Cascade
- Schedule internal communication to reach managers first
- Provide manager specific communication channels
- Measure how well managers are cascading information
- Make effective information cascade a KPI for managers
Staff would rather communicate with their immediate supervisor than any other level of management
This is particularly true during uncertain times. Staff may start to distrust the ‘corporate mouthpieces’ such as the intranet and they turn to their managers for interpretation. Line managers best understand employees’ personal circumstances and can tailor information to suit their teams. They are the people staff feel most comfortable approaching with questions and feedback.
So how can we improve manager cascade as a critical part of effective internal communications?
Tip 1 - Schedule Internal Communications to Reach Managers First
Advance warning
It is difficult for managers to provide to communications if they receive information at the same time as their team. Advance warning, at least for important internal communications, allows them to consider the impact, ask questions and to prepare answers to questions their team are likely to ask.
Information cascade tool: SnapComms targeting and message scheduling features.
Tip 2 - Manager Specific Communications Channels
Secure Manager- only Discussion Forum
Communications tools for manager cascade
Set up manager specific communications channels. By showing a commitment to better communication tools to support managers, managers are more likely to be open and supportive of the wider internal communications process and cascade information more effectively.For example use Internal Social Media channels to set up manager-only secure helpdesks. This can allow managers to meet online to discuss strategies, share ideas and plan. This is especially useful when managers work in different locations or time zones.
An internal communications helpdesk for managers can also provide the means for managers to access communications support and ask questions such as:
“I just read this, what does it mean?”
“I just saw this on the intranet, what is it about?”
Send automatic Desktop Alerts to helpdesk moderators to ensure managers receive fast and effective support.
Tip 3 - Measure how well Managers are Cascading Information
Desktop Survey
Survey staff regularly to benchmark and check how well each employee understands important messages. Map this information back to individual managers and use this information to show managers what they are doing well and where they can improve their communication and cascade of information.
Tip 4 -Make Effective Information Cascade a KPI for Managers
Reward good performers publicly to create focus (and competition) or use the feedback to target training and help managers understand what they are doing well and how they can improve.
