The grapevine

The aim
To avoid creating the situations in which employees spread rumors to fill the gap left by a lack of formal communication.

About the program
People do need to know what is going on, especially if there's something afoot that could affect them personally. And once the rumor mill starts grinding it's very difficult to stop - and even harder to correct any misinformation once it has gained currency.

The grapevine shows what can happen when people suspect the worst and start to make up things for themselves. One of the largest customers of a fictional company has called in the receivers; the president has made contingency plans and is confident that new contracts will forestall the need for compulsory layoffs.

The message that managers were to pass on was one of reassurance but 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 realize his mistake and the importance of structured communication .

The benefits
-Everyday settings and realistic situations demystify the concept of internal communications and emphasize the potential problems
-Sets out proposals for achieving a professional communications process
-Highlights the benefits of holding regular team meetings and encouraging staff to contribute ideas
-Engaging use of humor to make messages stronger

Related training issues:
Team briefing
Empowerment

Information:
A Video Arts production featuring John Cleese, Peter Capaldi and Geraldine James. Release date: 1996