Inform and consult your employees

From Business Link

The Art of Good Communication

Be clear about what you are trying to achieve and explain to employees whether you are informing, consulting or negotiating with them.

To encourage a two-way flow of information between employees and managers, consider:

• holding regular meetings
• using language your employees understand - not jargon
• keeping discussions focused, relevant, local and timely
• using open-ended questions to draw out ideas from employees
• ensuring your communications reach every employee, ie don’t forget part-time workers, homeworkers and absent workers
• using social events to break down barriers and build up trust

Study reveals the value of user-generated content to companies

From Adfero

Placing user-generated content into direct marketing or on websites could help growing businesses push through sales, according to new research.

The study by Nielsen Online found that over 70 per cent of people feel consumer reviews make them more comfortable about their purchasing decisions when buying online.

Around 81 per cent of online consumers also claimed to have read such articles while carrying out their Christmas shopping this year.

Ken Cassar, vice-president of industry insights for Nielsen Online, said consumer reviews are “a must-have for online retailers” as they can help people feel more assured when buying items they have little knowledge of.