Not Heard Through the Grapevine - Accountemps Survey: Lack of Communication Top Management Mistake

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The most common management mistake has an easy remedy: don't keep employees in the dark. In a new Accountemps (http://www.accountemps.com/What-Is-Accountemps) survey, 39 per cent of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed said lack of communication between staff and management is the most frequent misstep companies make in managing their teams. Lack of recognition and praise was cited by 16 per cent of respondents.

The survey (http://accountemps.rhi.mediaroom.com/file.php/1264/AT_0412_INFOGR_MngmtMistksCAN.gif) was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with more than 270 CFOs from a stratified random sample of Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.

CFOs were asked, "What one mistake do companies make most in managing their employees?" Their responses:

    <<
    Lack of communication between
     staff and management...................... 39%
    Lack of recognition and praise............. 16%
    Lack of training, development
     and/or educational opportunities.......... 13%
    Lack of authority given to employees....... 11%
    Lack of flexibility in work schedules....... 6%
    Don't know/no answer....................... 15%
                                               ----
                                               100%
    >>

"Employees want to be kept current on company news and able to have access to their supervisors," said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. "It is essential for managers to invest the time and effort into consistent dialogue with employees. A lack of open and honest communication can result in employees feeling left out and undervalued, damaging morale and productivity in the process."

Accountemps highlights five things managers should say to employees on a regular basis:

    <<
    1.  "Here's what's happening." Whether it's updates on the company's
        financial performance, department initiatives or group projects, keep
        staff abreast of organizational information that affects them and
        their responsibilities. Keeping people in the dark will lead to
        tension and rumours.

    2.  "Do you have what you need?" Take the time to find out if your team
        members have the right resources to perform their work effectively.

    3.  "Thank you." Thank and praise staff
        (http://www.accountemps.com/recognition) who go above and beyond.
        Call attention to successes by highlighting them in staff meetings
        and sending a groupwide email recognizing those who helped and
        copying relevant managers.

    4.  "What challenges are you facing?" Often, employees are hesitant to
        voice concerns when problems arise. It's essential to proactively ask
        staff members what's going on and how you may be able to help.

    5. "How can we improve the company?" Invite staff members to suggest
       things they can do to help achieve business objectives. You may be
       pleased to discover how innovative and resourceful your employees are.
    >>

About the Survey

The Canadian study was developed by Accountemps. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on more than 270 telephone interviews with CFOs from a random sample of Canadian companies with 20 or more employees. For the study to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all segments are represented, the sample was stratified by industry and number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper proportion of employees within each industry.

About Accountemps

Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. Follow Accountemps for workplace news at twitter.com/accountemps.

Accountemps recently produced a series of new videos highlighting Bob from Accountemps, the fast, efficient, go-to accounting professional. Find out why Bob is so popular with his clients and coworkers alike in these humorous videos: www.accountemps.com/whoisbob.

Nadia Santoli, [phone], [email protected]