Summary
This program shows the importance of clear internal communication. People do need to know what is going on, and once the rumour mill starts grinding it's very difficult to stop—and even harder to correct any misinformation. This humorous program shows what can happen when the grapevine – rather than the manager – controls communication. It tells the story of a company whose largest customer is going bankrupt. Yes, this will create problems, but management is confident that there will be no layoffs or job losses, and sends out a reassuring message to employees. However, the production head doesn’t brief his team properly, and their fears mount, fuelled by the fact that people in other departments seem to know more than they do. Only when a key member of staff hands in his notice does he realise his mistake and acknowledge the importance of structured communication. The program shows how managers can prevent problems by putting a professional communications process in place; holding regular team meetings; and encouraging staff to contribute ideas.