Cuyahoga County Internal Communication Plan

- Make Cuyahoga County an Employer of Choice
Strategic Priorities
  • 15.4 Ensure proactive, regular two-way communication among county staff
    - Make Cuyahoga County an Employer of Choice
About this measure

This measure provides updates on major milestones and anticipated next steps associated with efforts related to the development and implementation of the Cuyahoga County Internal Communication Plan. Update provided by the Cuyahoga County Department of Communications.
Why is this important?

The Cuyahoga County Internal Communications Plan provides a roadmap for the Department of Communications to improve internal communications channels, create a positive, open, supportive culture that values staff and ensures proactive, regular two-way communication among County staff. Strategies detailed in the plan include:

  1. Creating an Internal Communications Departmental Committee
  2. Planning standing face-to-face meetings with members of the Executive Leadership Team
  3. Revamping the intranet so that it is robust, utilitarian, and informative
  4. Administering the Annual Cuyahoga County Employee Survey
  5. Devising standardized internal communication policies & procedures
  6. Developing a resource document for mass communications that show a roadmap to follow with the Department of Communications input
How are we making an impact?

The Department of Communications will be leading implementation of the internal communications plan. Through plan implementation we will foster an environment that will:
  • Listen to staff to identify challenges and preferences and facilitate a greater buy in.
  • Facilitate formal communications to encourage confident, clear and succinct communication of County news to avoid confusion and apathy.
  • Give employees access to senior management creating a venue to encourage sharing of views, questions and concerns.
  • Formally recognize staff at an individual, team and project level in front of colleagues ensuring they feel valued.
  • Stratify material to meet different audiences in tone, content, and format to deliver the message effectively.
Reporting Agency

Cuyahoga County Communications 
Milestone Measure

In 2018, Communications staff developed and began implementation of the Cuyahoga County Internal Communications Plan. During the first half of 2018 staff developed and implemented the “In the Know” newsletter, which serves as a regular communication from the County Executive to all Cuyahoga County employees. During the second half of 2018 staff administered the annual internal communication survey to county staff. Nearly 800 responses were received. Teaming up with the Office of Innovation and Performance, Communications led the July Innovation Conversation Series, focused on telling our story using a variety of communication tools and channels. Additional work completed includes the development of a project charter and team focused on the redesign on the Cuyahoga County Intranet, as well as the establishment of the County’s Internal Communication Liaison Committee.