Integrating Employees

» ajh76 - Ideas for Integrating Employees on Different Coasts

Our company has offices in MD, NC and CA and the employees often comment that they feel "disconnected" and don't really know each other and what the others do. We are a fairly small company (<50) and I would love some low cost ideas for trying to integrate the employees more effectively.

-- posted by ajh76

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» morfeld - Re: Ideas for Integrating Employees on Different Coasts

In response to message posted by ajh76:

These are my thoughts:

* A staff listing that includes a brief professional "bio" on each employee, details of their current role, and areas of interest and expertise. The cover page of this document could be a three-column table that includes the name, function, and contact information for each employee.

* Regularly-scheduled status meetings via conference call or Web technology.

* Print or email newsletter that provides account updates, company information, individual successes, and even personal news (weddings, births, new homes, etc.) for employees who voluntarily submit such information. You could also profile a "featured" employee in each issue.

* Cross-location task forces assigned to develop competitive analyses, process improvement strategies, new product/service offerings, etc.

* An intranet site or shared network that enables staff to publish ad hoc/real-time information. Discussion boards, chat functionality, and an "ask the expert" feature within pre-defined subject areas (as well as a catchall "misc." category) are especially powerful ways to keep employees engaged, foster a sense of belonging and teamwork, and facilitate knowledge-sharing.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

-- posted by morfeld

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