We all experience stress from time to time, sometimes it can motivate and aid us in completing tasks, but at other times it can be harmful to our health. It is widely accepted that we need to manage stress in the workplace, whether good or bad, to ensure that we can operate efficiently and effectively. But how can we do this and how can communications help?

Tools for reducing stress in the workplace

One effective tool is planning. Through taking time out of the day to write a plan, you give yourself chance to take stock and to prioritise. It is an opportunity to reflect on achievements, to balance tasks and to delegate where needed. This kind of planning need only take a few minutes, but it can have a huge impact on the day, helping to organise, reduce any burdens and ultimately, save time. There is also huge satisfaction to be found in crossing tasks of a list – reminding you of your achievements, whether big or small.

Why should I write a communications plan?

The same applies to writing a communications plan. At first this can be a time-consuming task, but it can provide a useful road map for achieving your objectives, ensuring consistency in your messaging and the activities you carry out, in turn, increasing understanding between your business and its audience.

A communications plan is an essential tool in ensuring your organisation sends clear, specific messages, with measurable results. But don’t forget, your plan should be flexible – as we all know life rarely goes to plan and this is the same in the workplace.

It is important to bear in mind that there is no ‘end-game’ with communications. Communications in a business constantly evolves; your employees and team members will need different things from you at different times and this is the same for your suppliers and your customers.

When your customers’ behaviour changes it will change how they receive the messages you send them. There are two obvious reasons why this could be the case. It could be a positive effect of your communications activity and mean that your messages are getting through – providing your audience with a greater understanding of your products and services. Or it could be the effect of the external environment which your audience is operating in. When things change for your customers they could end up with new challenges or greater pressures, so you need to be able to change with them to help them make the most of a situation.

Through creating a plan, you can ensure that your objectives and overall aims remain the same, and that you can be flexible in your approach.  In addition, a plan can create a controlled and measured environment for creativity, reducing the feeling of being out of control and of the risk of failure, in turn saving both time and money.

How can you create a communications plan for your business?

Hey Me runs an online course: ‘7 steps to effectively promote your business’.  This tutorial is designed to help you create a communication plan that lines up with your target audience needs, with clear messages which are accessible and easy to understand for all. To learn more please click here.

At Hey Me believe that clear communications are crucial in getting your brand voice heard in a crowded marketplace. We can work with you to find the right ways to reach your target audiences, and then tell your story in a way your audience will understand, so they feel empowered to take action.  

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the type of support Hey Me can offer your business, please get in touch here.