• www.amazon.com Now I know you all know about this site, yet one of the reasons I regularly use it is for book reviews. As I buy lots of books, it is important for me to make sure that the book I am buying is what I am looking for. I may still buy it from my local bookstore, but at least I have researched the book prior to purchase.

In order for staff to take ‘ownership’ of a company or organisation, they need to have physical space that they can call their own. Office staff need their own space, whether that be an office, a cubicle or desk that they can ‘personalise’ with family photos and items of memorabilia. Workshop mechanics should be allowed bench space to set up the work area the way they like it. Staff cafeterias and lunchrooms are another example of this.

A simple item that increases ‘ownership’ of staff areas is a large notice board that can be used for a number of things. When I say large, I mean large. The notice board needs to be at least 1800mm x 1200mm (6 feet by 4 feet). If bigger is possible, make it bigger.

Ideally, the notice board should include a ‘pin-up’ area where notices can be attached with drawing pins (thumbtacks), and a ‘white-board’ area where messages can be written up in marker pens. I have also seen staff notice boards that have alphabetically arranged slots along side where written messages for individual members of staff can be left.

The beauty of such a notice board is that it can become a focal point for intra-organisation communication. It provides a central place where staff can find out what’s happening and it is also an effective way for people to let others know of special events that they may be interested in.

Some of the items I have seen on notice boards include cars, boats and furniture for sale, posters for school quiz nights, newspaper clippings of staff that have appeared in the press, information on personal development seminars, as well as business cards for plumbers, electricians, accountants, masseurs and clairvoyants.

What is ‘allowed’ on the notice board needs to be determined by the staff themselves. Some larger organisations vest the control of the notice board with the staff social club.

Another feature that I have seen used to good effect is a flashing red light placed above the notice board, which is turned on when new information appears that is deemed to be of importance to all members of staff.

A word of caution about notice boards. Important notices on such boards should be kept to a minimum, as I strongly believe it is up the sender of any communication to ensure that the person to whom it was intended receives the message. To simply rely on people taking the time to read everything on a notice board, is not only not that effective, it is a communication cop out. Other communication methods such as personal letters and emails are advised for the sending of important information.

Until next week, many happy customer returns!

Graham Harvey APS

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