Page 13 - FPGA JulyAug20 FINAL

Aside from one-on-one meetings

with employees, owners and
operators can also encourage
team meetings with one another

or as a group in a virtual setting.

demonstrated the last few text messages are being sent, to let them know their options to
months.” which may not be clear or build those skill sets.
concise, or multiple messages “If they don’t know they’re
Avoid communication are being sent about the same doing anything incorrectly (and
roadblocks subject matter. This then creates how that’s impacting business),
Without question, there are inefficiencies and confusion they’re less likely to personally
roadblocks to effective remote, between employers and invest in training and gain
online communication. employees.” anything from it,” she continues.
When employees are in To solve these issues, Allen “It’s an investment that’s not
their offices, they can ask co- advises propane employers only worthwhile for internal
workers or managers questions to train their staff members communications, but externally
“in the moment.” But during (and themselves) on how to – with your customers – as well.”
the COVID-19 remote work, be effective communicators
that in-person interaction is in this increasingly digital and Keep communication
completely gone and, with it, remote world. No experts for the lines open
any body language or voice training are necessary. Neither is When it comes to remote
inflection, according to Aimee in-person training. Instead, Allen work, shifting to digital only
Allen, founder of Degree Days suggests that employers utilize and maintaining lines of
Consulting. the training offerings from local communication from a distance,
“Add to it the phenomena and national organizations. Allen believes employees
that takes place by virtue of “Knowledge is power. You should embrace the fact that
being ‘away,’ in that it just feels have to first identify where the it’s OK not to have all of the
like you can’t get an immediate ineffective communications are answers. To keep lines of
answer,” she stresses. “What’s in your organization,” she adds.
happening is that emails or “Then, work with those people continued on next page

July/August 2020 Propane Magazine 13