Take the Quiz

Put yourself on the spot and test the performance of your business communications with this thought-provoking quiz.

4 = Always     3 = Usually     2 = Sometimes     1 = Rarely     0 = Never
Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?
  • 1.
  • We tailor communications (style, content, timing, vehicle, etc.) based on our audience and what motivates them.
  • 2.
  • We know how satisfied our audience is with our communications.
  • 3.
  • We make changes to content, delivery, etc. based on audience feedback.
Does Your Information Flow?
  • 4.
  • We use set processes to make sure employees have the information they need to do their jobs.
  • 5.
  • We develop strategies to make clear to key internal stakeholders the value/contribution of our team/initiatives.
  • 6.
  • Employees use established channels to provide input and feedback to management.
  • 7.
  • Management transparently responds to feedback.
It’s All in the Planning, Part I
  • 8.
  • Most of our communications are proactive (rather than reactive).
  • 9.
  • We develop communications plans for initiatives that will impact people, processes or the company.
  • 10.
  • We use a communications plan template that outlines business goals, stakeholders, timelines, etc.
It’s All in the Planning, Part II
  • 11.
  • We develop a robust, strategic annual communications plan.
  • 12.
  • We implement the plan.
  • 13.
  • We regularly evaluate its effectiveness, and make adjustments as needed.
Can You Get the Job Done?
  • 14.
  • We have staff dedicated to “internal communications” (in title or job description).
  • 15.
  • This staff has enough time to effectively plan and deliver internal communications.
Internal Communications 2.0?
  • 16.
  • We keep up with the latest trends in social media for internal communications.
  • 17.
  • We effectively use social media for internal communications.
  • 18.
  • Management supports using social media for internal communications.
What it all comes down to: Do your communications help achieve business goals?
  • 19.
  • We strategically align annual communications with business goals.
  • 20.
  • We design communications to help employees understand and focus on achieving business goals.
  • 21.
  • We measure the impact of communications on employees’ understanding of business goals.

  • Total

 

  • Scoring (no peeking)

    • 70 - 80:
    • Well done. You are on top of your game, and your company and employees are the luckier for it.
    • 60 - 69:
    • Your internal communications are going strong. Take a look at your answers - there may be opportunities to do even better. Then check out Deb's blog for ideas on what's next.
    • 50 - 59:
    • Things are going well. Consider our list of offerings to complement the work you're already doing. You might even want to choose something marked Never, Rarely or Sometimes to work on today.
    • 40 - 49:
    • Some things are going well, but it's time for action. At your next communications meeting, talk about ways to improve your effectiveness and pick an area to improve. If you have no one to meet with, invite Deb for a consultation. You'll significantly increase your team size and certainly liven things up. Definitely check out all the offerings.
    • Less than 40:
    • Your communications could be more effective. Contact us to discuss the Heat-seeking, Goal-achieving Strategic Planner and other strategic offerings.
     

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” – Plato