How to Break Down Organizational Silos
In large organizations there are lots of departments from product marketing to corporate communications to external communications to customer service, sales, manufacturing and more. It can be challenging to keep everyone informed and in sync. Many organizations, particularly in manufacturing or complex organizations, communication is done in a silo. Teams are not connecting the dots and efforts are duplicated or worse – initiatives could be better if teams had come together on the front end. Usually, this isn’t done maliciously there are just simply lots of moving parts and sometimes a lack of awareness beyond one’s own responsibilities.
As public relations professionals and expert communicators within your organizations, it’s critical that you help to break down silos that may exist.
Here are four ways to help connect the dots within your organizations:
1. Communicate your vision and goals broadly; what does the communications/PR department and your team do and why do you do it for the organization? How can employees help you? Likewise, you should be helping your leadership communicate the vision and goals of the company early and often to all stakeholders.
2. Educate and train regularly. There are always new faces and messages need to be communicated often to be remembered. The communications/PR department in particular affects so many departments. Make sure employees know who your team is and what role they have in helping you share your company’s stories.
3. Build relationships. Reach out to a colleague in a completely different department to get to know them better. Oftentimes an organization’s stories come from unexpected places.
4. Regularly schedule time that allows the various divisions and/or leaders to come together to update others on the current projects, campaigns, issues, and possible improvements.
One of the most important things you can do as a communications leader within your organization is break down silos and build relationships. Do you need help aligning your leadership or various departments? Are you struggling to communicate your department’s value and connection plan? We’re here to help. Email info@84comms.com and tell us more about how we can help you foster greater communication within your organization.