I'm the Communications and Engagement lead at Marshalls. In fact, I'm the first focussed IC person Marshalls have ever had. The company recognised the need to invest in people, and I get the pleasure of helping them do just that. I'm very excited about the future possibilities at Marshalls. It's all to play for.
Because I'm a lone ranger, I pick up all the tasks of a comms team. All of them! To give a glimpse of what this looks like, here's my Thursday from a few weeks ago:
7.30am – today we kick-off with the first of almost 80 roadshows. The Marshalls Exec team will travel the length and breadth of the UK (with a few skype calls to far flung places like China) to deliver a presentation to 2,800 people. The twist this year… we've changed the format so that these sessions become a really valuable use of time and a great employee experience. So, here I am, in early doors to ensure the content is ready
8am – I'm happy the content is the best it can be. Coffee time!
8.30am – we're in the process of launching a new serious concerns process, so the first communication is lined up to go. Before pressing send, I make sure the posters are displayed, and the toilet door stickers are in place (if you haven't used the toilet doors for messaging you're missing out – captive audience)
9.30am – I watch the Marshalls CEO deliver the first presentation and everything goes very well. The content is received brilliantly. While I was listening I was also capturing what was being said as my notes from the session will form the speaker guidance for the other Executives
11am – I'm out of the presentation and back at my desk to type up the speaker guidance. I have about a day to turn these around - eek!
12noon – it's time for a lunch break
12.30pm – I get my head down to finish the speaker guide so that I can send it for review and sign off
2pm – all done with the speaker guide, now I'm heading into a meeting about our new employee engagement measurement tool – a first here at Marshalls and we're very excited about it
3pm – I attend the HR leadership team meeting to talk about building a more digital workplace. I told you it's all to play for, and it really is. We have so many exciting plans for our digital workplace, but first we must apply some focus with a digital roadmap (I'll add it to the list)
4pm – I grab a quick coffee while I meet our Marketing team for a chat about brand and external comms. We work together all the time as we're really passionate about ensuring the external and internal are joined up. Plus, they're a great bunch
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