employee%20 grapevine[1]

1MAYO Communications copyright 199504/13/23

Employee GrapeVine

PRSA – IABC – PCLA Award-Winning Interactive Strategy for shaping employee behavior with effective communications

by MAYO Communications

04/13/23 MAYO Communications copyright 1995 2

GrapeVine Objectives

Improve communications relationship

Increase flow of timely information

Build credibility and participation

Quell the rumor mill


Steps for a GrapeVine

Technical Needs Assessment

Benchmark costs internally vs. externally

Designate a special Grapevine phone line

Expand from 19 to 100 message capacity

Phone track system


Employee Grapevine

Company format

Talk from the employees perspective – not yours. Keep messages simple.


Employee GrapeVine How to grow a bumper crop

Get early commitments from supervisors

Respond to frontline supervisor concerns

Set expectations with supervisors

Build phone mail internal list


Growing a GrapeVine

Plant and cultivate before you harvest

Understanding company issuesSelect knowledgeable/credible line

managersVerbal messages faster with

feelingsTiming is everything


GrapeVine Target Customer

Primary Customer – EmployeesTheir work stations or meeting placesSecondary Customer – Senior Mgt.Management feedbackUsage habits – how often do they call


GrapeVine Key Features Comparative system Analysis

User Friendly – No instruction – call 24/7 Everyone has access to a phoneConvenient – GrapeVine is heard on a speaker phoneCell Phone in the fieldUpdated when issue or story changes


Grapevine Promotion

Getting employees to call Match the voices contest

Offer money, prizes or time off Use well-known supervisors Other promotion methods Employee paycheck envelopes Posters and 1X2 inch stickers Employee Newsletters cross-promote


GrapeVine Benefits Company Market Analysis

Opportunities to share information One-stop communication center

Policy changes quickly disseminated

Keeps employees on top of new info.

A great way to praise good employees


Emergency GrapeVine

T he Grapevine bec omes a 24 hr. hotlineduring an

emergenc y or c ompany c ris is s ituation

Los AngelesSupervisors

M anagersClerks

Internal lineFeedback

Senior m anagersSupervisors

Orange CountySupervisors

M anagersclerks

NordstromCorporate

Headquartersannouncement


Employee GrapeVine Awards 1995 - 2002

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

Public Communicators of Los Angeles (PCLA)

National Assn.Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)

International Communicator Awards

employee%20 grapevine[1]

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