Reviewing a Communications Strategy
Benefits of a solid Communications Strategy
Productivity
A visible communications strategy keeps everyone on the same page - better informed staff/students are more productive, while families minimize the need to verify information with staff
Behavior
​​Increases student engagement and involvement which contributes towards improved behaviors
Belonging
Helps everyone understand the bigger picture and how they fit in - promotes transparency, fosters a sense of belonging and helps eliminate cultural resistance to change
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Satisfaction
​Reliable, co-ordinated, streamlined delivery of information reduces the amount of disruptions - reduces frustration/stress, mitigates the risk of information overload/tuning out
Performance
Increases parental engagement and involvement which contributes towards improved standards in student academic performance​​​
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Loyalty
Clarity, accuracy, consistency enables positive experiences and grows brand advocates, through building brand trust and loyalty
Information Management and Goals vs Systems
The key to streamlining communications effectively, centers greatly around the level of ‘information management maturity' within an organization, which is based on the quality of all 5 keys below.​
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Information management maturity = "An organization's capability to effectively manage their information assets. The tools and practices they need to leverage information to drive success". (Making sure the right people have the right information at the right time).
Implementing an integrated communications tool is a fantastic goal, and checks the ‘technology’ box, but optimal results can only really be achieved if the other 4 elements are carefully considered as part of the wider system ('systems thinking') - The value of tool/s used to disseminate information can become less effective, if the other elements are not revised and re-established when implementing a big change such as this. THIS is why reviewing a campus communications strategy supports the longer term success of such an implementation.​
Leadership
Is engaged, sets vision, make key decisions
Operations
The right people utilizing good project & time management skills, alongside clear communications
Processes
Are designed, documented, and executed consistently
Data
Is consistently collected, well organized and maintained, and effectively used
Technology
Is aligned to 4 prior keys
Change Management
The biggest barriers to implementing a significant technology change?
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Lack of digital skills (District level Communications/Technology and myself are here to help!)
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Concern over data privacy and security​ (District level has done the background work on this for you!)
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Cultural resistance (THIS is where Administrators can help the most at campus level!)​​
When considering an implementation plan, transparency and involvement should be reviewed as part of a communications strategy, to reduce resistance to change. To consider:
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People
Who is going to determine a clear vision & drive the change?
Who will promote a cultural change? (Who are the change champions?)
Who will perform the implementation?
Who will prepare, support and help individuals and teams adapt to the change?
Process
Who is going to assess current operations/processes?
Who will revise operations/processes as needed?
Who is responsible for performing ongoing data analysis of new systems, and who will adjust as needed?
Technology
Who will integrate the new technology with existing solutions?
Who will select and implement any required supporting solutions?
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‘Who’ is an extremely important aspect of digital transformation of any kind. In larger schools this may be many people, in others, a few people may wear several hats. Either way, ensuring the right people are on the team to lead, implement, promote and support such a change, is essential.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Overall organizational culture can hugely impact the longer term success.
It is important to perform an initial self-assessment prior to implementation, but it's equally important to define what you want your ongoing culture to be, and ensure there are continuous *safe space* feedback loops/improvement mechanisms are in place, as part of a Communications Strategy.​
​Studies show the best way to improve customer satisfaction, or in the case of your school districts, family satisfaction, is to improve employee satisfaction [....] The aim of school marketing is to change how people think and feel about your district and schools. Changing how your employees feel, directly and indirectly, changes how students, their families, and even people outside your organization feel about it too
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Tyler Vawser, Apptegy​