Effective Compliance Communication - Quick Tip
Getting compliance buy-in isn’t always easy. Your company could have the highest compliance standards in the world, but if you can’t get the message heard effectively, then it won’t move your company ahead.
So what can you do? A lot, actually! Having a communication plan in place can help your company become raving fans of the compliance department. Here are six steps to help get you started:
Determine Your Goal: Really think through what you’re trying to achieve – make it clear and specific. Defining your goal is the basis of determining your communication strategy.
Understand Your Audience: Along with your goal, you need to understand who you’re speaking to. Often those in compliance aren’t “speaking the same language” as their audience and that contributes to the feeling that compliance isn’t in touch with others. Find out what motivates your audience and what their needs are. Connect your compliance message to how it helps them achieve their goals.
Evaluate Readiness and Need: Next figure out how ready your audience is for the communication, and what the level of need is for the communication. The higher the readiness, the more easily you’ll get buy in. If readiness is lower, determine what the most important issues are to communicate and start there.
Review Current Resources: Are there key individuals you can bring in to help get greater buy-in? Think of those with decision-making abilities or those who influence the decision makers. Leverage these individuals to help spread your message to others. Also, look for what’s already in place and working well – then build off that. Keep this motto in mind: “Grow the seeds, not the weeds!”
Select Content: Use materials that speak to your company’s overall tone and culture. Continue to show how your compliance message is in line with your company’s goals. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Breaking down the information into bite-sized pieces, rather than a long, technical presentation, can help with engagement and retention. Think about using things like role-play scenarios, games, and cartoons/animation in the delivery of your message. Whenever possible, get face-to-face with your audience. While shooting off some e-mails may feel like it’s saving you time, or giving you some space from a difficult conversation, talking in person usually ends up being more productive.
Develop Schedule: Chances are, your target audience is receiving messages from lots of different areas – both internally, and perhaps even externally. As you develop a communication plan, find out what your target audience is already receiving. Check to make sure there aren’t mixed messages or conflicting information. If possible, you may be able to synch up your communications with other information your target audience is receiving. This will help reduce information-overload, and help you be even more effective in your communication delivery.
