Expert BTS Tips To Help You Better Communicate Organisational Change with Mel Loy
We can’t deliver successful change or embed new ways of working without compelling, smart communication… BUT so many change managers and change leaders aren’t professional communications experts.
That’s why I’m excited to welcome Mel Loy onto the podcast today. Mel is a communication professional who heads up a team of communication professionals at her consultancy Hey Mel! Comms and Training.
Mel’s passion is building communication capability in others. She’s a gold mine of knowledge.
Listen in to discover:
The difference between corporate and change communication
What to keep in mind anytime you’re when developing a communication plan
Advice for change managers who are supporting senior leaders; and
Practical tips for creating key messages that land (including a practical formula from Stanford University to use)
This episode is brimming with practical tips. I know you’ll gain a huge amount of knowledge and tactical takeaways for your change management programs.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHERE TO FIND THEM:
[1:20]: Practical, professional communication skills are becoming more important in the change management sector, however, most change managers have no background in professional communication.
[2:03]: Why are communication skills becoming more important in the change management sphere? Mel shares the changes over the last two years that underlines the importance of comms.
[3:04]: Communication isn’t the only lever. Leadership, governance, and learning and development are also critical.
[3:38]: Communication is about the ability for leaders to articulate the change to their people, customers and stakeholders, and be really compelling around the reason for why.
[4:27]: What is the difference between corporate communications and change communications? Mel shares her perspectives on the differences, including internal and external comms.
[5:45]: Mel estimates 90% of internal comms have some element of change to them.
[6:49]: A communication plan is always included in a change management plan, often as a sub-plan but sometimes it forms the change plan.
[7:52]: Mel explains the overarching strategic principles of a comms change plan - who, why, what are the best channels to best meet the audiences, what are the messages, who is the voice for those messages?
[8:39]: A strategic element for change management around technology should be that communications that align with the learning and development plan. Learning should be embedded.
[9:01]: Key messages, position statements, FAQs are also important elements.
[10:24]: No matter what kind of change - transformational, technical, process - a key part of a change manager's role is supporting executives and senior leaders to be active sponsors.
[11:36]: Advice for change managers that are wanting to provide guidance and support for leaders and senior executives through change.
[12:59]: For difficult stakeholders, you need to find the person of influence. You must build rapport and work out what and how to interest them.
[14:26]: Focus on the relationship first - build trust before you become the trusted advisor.
[14:50]: Writing skills are incredibly important for change managers and leaders.
[15:36]: Mel shares her tips for how to create compelling pieces and messages, including how to understand positioning around key messages, the spectrum ranging from facts to emotion, and why you need to avoid jargon.
[18:23]: A good way to develop your writing is to use the what, so what, now what formula.
[18:46]: There is no one size fits all for that formula. Change means different things for different stakeholders.
[19:35]: How to find Mel Loy.
CONNECT WITH MEL LOY:
Website: https://www.heymelcomms.training/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatfitcommswoman
CONNECT WITH KATE:
Website: https://www.everchange.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ever-change-and-communication