Communicating to Management Monica Mueller May 19, 2003

The Company Andersen Corporation Andersen Windows, Renewal by Andersen, five other divisions 100-year-old company Privately owned Largest window manufacturer in the world 8,500 office and production employees across 28 locations

The Issue Managers are key drivers of communication Communicate corporate strategies to employees, tie into department and individual goals Do managers have what they need to help employees make this connection?

Background Corporate Communications Department formed in 1999 Tools launched in 2000 to help in communicating to middle management messages to managers Update Meetings for managers Manager’s Toolkit Online

Why do this research? To determine if current methods are working To uncover best practices

Research Question Do current communications to management provide managers with the information they need to communicate corporate strategies to their employees?

The Study Sample Population Approximately 548 managers and supervisors Survey Design 16 questions Web-based survey Sent through link from

The Study Questions Overall Communications to Managers Communication of Corporate Strategies to Managers Demographic Information

The Study Responses Sample size548 Number of returned surveys 204 Response rate37%

Employees Supervised63% supervise five or more employees Length of time as manager50% five or fewer years Employed at Andersen46% - fifteen or fewer years 54% - fifteen or more years Demographics of Respondents

The Results Select level of agreement on how effective the resource is for you to receive communications 90% 58% 96%

10% 50% 34% 5% 0% The Results Overall, which best describes your impression of communication you receive from resources

MethodPercent of Sample messages94% Meetings - Management Update Meetings 59% In-Person meetings with your leader 53% Intranet- Manager's Toolkit Online28% Print - Memos, The Frame Maker, Employee Annual Report 16% The Results Select your preferred method of receiving management communications

The Results How frequently do you discuss corporate strategies with your employees? 30%28% 20% 16% 5% 0%

The Results How do you discuss corporate strategies with your employees?

ChoicePercent of Sample Management Messages83% Management Update Meetings82% Manager’s Toolkit Online24% The Results Information from which tool do you use to discuss corporate strategies with employees?

Managers Thoughts on Communications Managers said: “Push” communications to them, they do not want to have to look for information Communicate in a timely manner and consistently update materials Communicate clearly how projects/tactics align with corporate strategies

Corporate Communications Responds 1.Reframe messages and Update meetings to clearly identify projects and tactics along with strategies 2.Ensure messages are pushed to managers by providing links, documents 3.Evaluate and restructure Manager’s Toolkit Online so information is kept current

In Conclusion Study showed that current communications to managers do provide them with the information they need to communicate corporate strategies to their employees, but improvements can be made. Increase number of managers who feel they are fully informed Increase usage and value of Manager’s Toolkit Online

Questions?

Thank You