This Spot On communications newsletter contains industry comment, insight, tips, case studies, polls and poll results. In this issue we look at the steps two global companies are taking during the economic downturn and examine how to address comms challenges as part of the performance drive. We hope you find it inspiring.

Silence isn't a cost-free option
Chris Hopkins, Managing Consultant

If your household energy bills are too expensive, what do you do? Find ways to become more energy efficient, maybe switch suppliers for a better deal. You don’t turn off all the lights, walk around in the dark, and hope for the best!

I’m surprised at the number of companies that have already switched off the lights! Sometimes this is without even realising it. These are the companies deciding to say nothing to address employee concerns and not sharing their plans for recession survival, some even freezing comms all together to save money... To read the rest of this article or visit our blog, click here.


Aviva

Reward communications help to bring new Aviva brand to life for UK employees

Aviva has launched a new reward ‘brand’ - My Aviva Reward - to support the company’s official name change in June of this year. Communications were launched in February 2009 with a new web portal covering all areas of pay, benefits and recognition. Aviva has also launched online reward statements for 28,000 UK employees.

My Aviva Reward uses consistent branding and engaging presentation to help bring the corporate name change to life for employees. Helen Jackson, reward director at Norwich Union says: “Our reward communication strategy has been driven by our journey to the new Aviva brand – these first communications will be critical to achieving our objectives”.


Anglo American

Anglo American communicates the full value of its reward offering.

Anglo American, one of the world’s largest diversified mining groups, has significantly enhanced the way it communicates reward. New personalised total reward communication represents the first time the company has conveyed reward to employees in its London Corporate office in this way.

Increasing awareness and understanding of their remuneration, the personalised paper-based statements use eye-catching creative and compelling content to grab the attention of employees.

As well as communicating all components of remuneration (including benefits) more effectively, the piece also works as a platform for wider messages about HR and reward within the wider Anglo American context, including relevant 'Did you knows'.

Anglo American plans to build on the success of this initial phase by rolling out similar communications elsewhere in the business.

Kerrin Isaacs, Group Reward Manager at Anglo American, says: "The current economic climate and changes within Anglo American itself have reinforced our decision to communicate total reward more effectively. We regard this as a crucial investment for future employee engagement and appreciation of the full value of their package. The employee response has so far been extremely positive, with employees particularly pleased by having one consolidated source of information and reporting an enhanced understanding of the value of the reward package."

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