To Please

1. The communication process done by Agilent Technologies in terms of dealing with downsizing is remarkable for me. In my own opinion, they have done exemplary job in dealing with downsizing. They have created a good way of communicating to its employees. It tried to utilize every medium possible to disseminate information regarding the upcoming layoff of employees. Agilent Technologies used an open style of communication in their office to make the employees aware of what is bound to happen. The company used emails, meetings, and other media. The use of such enable them to think of possible ways in which they can search for potential replacements for their job and to think of ways in which they can get out of the problem, if ever there is a possible way to do so. In fact, even after the lay-off of almost 8,000 employees or 20 per cent of the company’s employees, it was still listed as number 31 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. This goes to show that despite the massive layoff, they still proved their worth as an employer, because they have open communication practices. They do not hide from their employees what their steps towards recovery are. There is a barrage of emails and continuous face-to face meetings with top management to communicate this layoff. In fact, even the Chief Executive Office of the company spoke before its workers to tell them the upcoming massive lay-off. Infosparks, the company’s newsletter did not also to relay the news in the office. These steps which were undertaken by the company should serve as an example to other companies. Layoff is a bad news. Nonetheless, it is the right of all the employees to be informed ahead of time so that it will give them enough time to look for other jobs. Problems like this should be disseminated carefully, in every possible way, utilizing every form of media which the company could possibly use.
2. I think, it is “getting the buy-in” which best characterizes the communication