"So what can you do for us?"

Case Comments
Who says that the division has a communication problem? Who says that the solution (to the as yet unspecified division problem) is better communication? At this point, the communicator has only the division vice president's assessment of "the problem" and his proposed solution." A communicator who acts upon such tenuous information is courting disaster. 

Would you respond (select one):
A. "What's the communication problem?"

B. "Let's talk later about what's happening."

C. "What's the message? I can communicate 
    anything." 

D. "Have you thought about an on-line newsletter?"
 

Response B. is the only comment that comes close to indicating that the staff communicator has understood what has taken place during the executive's brief remarks. To suggest anything more than a need for more data would be to offer a communication solution without understanding the real organizational problem (need? opportunity?). Staff communicators win when they think before acting. To do otherwise, is to become viewed by your internal clients as "a pair of hands" (with no brain attached). 

Look for more real-world communication challenges and outcomes at this site in the months to come. Contact us, if you'd like to send us a challenge and outcome for this space. You also may wish to investigate our advanced-level seminar on internal communication consulting.

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