True incident : The Toxic Predators in Corporates ...

There are always a few people in any corporate who are self-obsessed and are highly desperate for visibility. Such people not only suffer from the acute superiority complex but are also a patient of Psychosis condition.

Psychosis is a mental condition, and patients suffer from delusions—false beliefs that are firmly held and don't match the person's culture.

There are also issues like hallucinations—experiencing something that isn't there. Disorganized by nature and thoughts, they are neither logical nor well connected. Though they have other symptoms as well, like incoherent speech, inappropriate behavior, suspiciousness, paranoid ideas, uneasiness with others, trouble thinking clearly, withdrawing socially, strange feelings, and a decline in self-care or personal mental hygiene. They try dominating everyone with their toxic language. I call such people - PREDATORS...

This incident is about 5-6 years old. One of my friends spent a considerable number of years in a reputed organization - about 25 years and retired. With the blessing of the almighty, his son qualified for a job in the same organization and the same department as an MT. The junior of his father had now become the Head of the Department. This is where the nightmare began for this young professional.

The new boss - the PREDATOR, knowing who the boy was, started harassing him till no end. He would give him late nights for work, give him unusual targets, use abusive language, body-shame him, and insult him in official meetings. Finding fault and yelling at him became his timepass. The situation only became worse with time.

Not able to bear any further, this young boy informed his father about the entire incident. The father was in a shock since he had only selected this person in the organization and was expecting a lot of good behaviour.

Now, since, the father had worked for long years, he used his goodwill and brought this in the knowledge of top management (read promotors). But simultaneously also asked his son to look for another job, as such people had made the organization's culture extremely toxic.

But, as the almight had something else in mind - the son joined at a next senior level in another organization, where the daughter of this Boss had to report to him.

Secondly, the retired father is now coming back to the organization, as a Senior Advisor and the current Boss would need to report to him.

No Gusses for who should be searching for the job now ?

The 400-year-old House-Journal is Still the Most Powerful Tool for Internal Communication

 

In the fast-paced digital era, effective communication within organizations remains a critical challenge. Despite the plethora of modern tools available, the timeless House-Journal continues to stand out as a powerful medium for connecting with employees and stakeholders.

The article explores the enduring value and evolving role of House-Journals in corporate communication.

George Bernard Shaw’s Reflection on Communication

When George Bernard Shaw said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place,” many thought this statement might not be a complete reflection on communication teams of the 21st century. It could have been the other way round as well. There might be a problem with the receiver too. Many employees and external stakeholders do not take pains to open emails, and messages, respond to phone calls, or attend meetings on the pretext of being busy or decide that reading communications, other than finance or HR, is not of their interest. This thought cannot be denied either.

The Timeless Value of House-Journals

Perhaps this is what makes the 400-year-old House-Journal the most effective tool for communication for all employees and audiences.

Understanding House-Journals

To understand classification, a House-Journal (also variously known as an in-house magazine, in-house publication, shop paper, plant paper, or employee magazine) is a periodically published magazine by the organization for its internal, and now for external stakeholders as well. The periodicity may differ with each organization but is generally kept as ‘quarterly.’

Voice of Management and Stakeholders

A House-Journal represents the voice of Management, yet understood more as a voice of employees and stakeholders. Over time, it has proved to be setting a new benchmark for developing a bond between the management and all stakeholders, as the stakeholders are encouraged to participate, express their opinion, share the success of their children & families, share creative art and understand how their company is progressing. They also understand the market scenario and challenges their company is facing, and their role in mitigating those challenges.

The CEO’s Message

The message by CEO or Chairman in the House-Journal acts like icing on the cake. There is no doubt that direct communication by top management to the stakeholders, in a House-Journal, is more effective than an email.

Effectiveness in Remote Offices

Particularly, where a company has remote offices – companies in the infrastructure sector, mining & metals, oil & gas, energy to name a few, and all those companies where the majority of employees work in factories and do not have access to laptops or computers – the House-Journal becomes even more effective (if not the only tool for interaction). 

Historical Significance

In the golden period, when systems and computers were alien, one communication tool that worked to its perfection was the House-Journal only. 

Origin of House-Journals

The concept of the first regular House-Journal came as early as the 17th century. It is said to have been brought out by a firm of German merchants and bankers, ‘The Fugger’s’ in Augsburg in 1609. In 1696, Lloyds of London also brought out its company publication titled ‘Lloyds News’. In 1842, the first industrial house-journal ‘The Lowell Offering’ was published by the Lowell Cotton Mills of Massachusetts. In 1862, the Great Western Railway, Britain pioneered the publication of a house journal. In 1865, another house journal was brought out by the Travellers Insurance Company, Hartford in the USA called ‘Protection’. Later, a phenomenal increase in the publication of house journals has been seen in both the developing and developed countries, including India.

Evolution in India

In India, the concept of House-Journal took off in the 20th century. In 1905, ‘Planter’s Chronicle‘ was published by the United Planters Association of Southern India. In 1910, ‘The Nursing Journal of India’ was published by the trained nurses’ association. In 1913, Delhi Cloth Mill published its first house journal with the title- ‘Delhi Cloth Mill Patrika’. In 1920, The Institute of Engineers, a well-managed professional body, started its journal. In 1927, the first competently edited house journal titled ‘Indian State Railway Magazine’ was published by East Indian Railways.

House-Journals as a Benchmark

Since then, the House-Journals have become a benchmark in corporate communication and are also a much-awaited communication tool for employees and external stakeholders.

Contents of Modern House-Journals

At present, the House-Journals have mentions of awards, poetry by employees, birthdays of employees, high-scoring by the children of employees, moral stories, quizzes & riddles, new launches & projects, pictures of celebrations of festivals, pictures of sports meets, employee engagement programs details, and health & fitness information. All such information makes the House-Journal rich and gives it a shelf-life of at least three months. Some companies focus on more pictures and less text, and some companies also bring it out in bilingual (some articles in Hindi and some in English or regional language).

Digital Versions

Where most of the employees work on laptops – like IT companies, they have preferred to bring only digital versions of House-Journals. The digital version also gives you space for flexibility. But then, the objective needs to be different.

Strengthening House-Journals

The Corporate Communication & PR teams must work on strengthening the House-Journals by improving and encouraging the participation of all stakeholders and ensuring that it should not become a business-communication tool. 

About the Author

Pavan Kaushik is an Author & Storyteller, Globally recognized Communication Strategist and Co-Founder of Gurukshetra Consultancy.