Message from Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell
Dear colleague,
Effective communication is crucial to any organisation’s success and we are no different.
Last year’s Staff Survey showed us we need to improve our internal communications and work harder at providing a two-way flow of information and interaction across all our departments.
This feedback has led to the creation of an internal communications action plan and today’s launch of our new ‘You’re talking, we’re listening’ initiative.
Whilst this plan has been developed in response to the Staff Survey, the aim for this initiative is to grow from strength to strength so that effective two-way communications becomes business as usual for everyone.
A number of improvements and initiatives have already been implemented to help launch this new plan. These include:
- The creation of a regular bi-monthly update letter from me (sent via email and printed hard copies, and posted on the web) to all staff to update you on news affecting the University and/or the wider Higher Education sector.
- The creation of an internal communications ‘Top Tips’ section as part of the internal communications guidance on the Corporate Communications webpages to help with effective communication: www.bath.ac.uk/marketing/internal/#tips
- The recruitment of a Communications Manager, a new role in the Corporate Communications Department, to provide strategic leadership and direction for our future internal communications work. Our new Communications Manager, Ben Harris, will start with us next month (March 2012).
- The introduction of summaries of the decisions taken at Executive meetings on the University internal homepage.
- Greater use of the Oracle Calendar to highlight and communicate key corporate events to all staff, such as graduation ceremonies and open days (as we already do for University holidays).
- Regular open meetings and get-togethers between senior managers and staff to discuss a particular topic or issue, or to celebrate success – such as the Better@Bath learning & teaching celebrations last November.
This is the start of the process and there are more initiatives planned in the coming months including:
- The introduction of an ‘Ideas Scheme’ to allow staff to suggest ways to improve efficiency, service, performance or conditions.
- Detailed investigation into the delivery of an effective digital signage strategy which will potentially see the co-ordination of messaging across all digital screens on campus.
- Working with faculties and departments to provide support and guidance on the best way to locally host internal news across the University’s website.
- Rolling out additional computers for use by colleagues who are not normally office-based.
- The development of a schedule of contact points & local communication champions in departments, supported centrally by Corporate Communications Services.
- Continued attendance and support by myself and other senior managers at key strategic events such as University Open Days.
- Investigating the delivery of new training opportunities to support line managers and project leaders in improving their communications skills.
As you can see, there is plenty for us to do and not all of the changes and improvements will be felt overnight.
To be truly successful at improving the flow of information we all need to play our part. It is vital that everyone feels they can contribute their ideas to University life and business, and they will be listened and responded to.
We will continue to keep you updated on progress in the coming months, but if you have any feedback or ideas for further improvements please pass them to Will Marsh, Head of Corporate Communications: w.j.marsh@bath.ac.uk
Thank you
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell
Vice-Chancellor