One of the biggest marketing and PR issues that always plagues any organization is mixed messages. Think about it. It affects all of us at one time or another. There are different ways to send out mixed or conflicting messages. It can be with logos, slogans, marketing materials, press releases, artwork, or loose lips.
Many times mixed messages just happen because someone is trying to help. Someone is ready, willing, and able to roll up their sleeves and take ownership of something. When someone jumps to the plate, you want to give them encouragement to proceed at full speed while they have the fire to do it. The way to do this is give them all the tools and rules in advance.
You never know when an employee, team member, or volunteer is going to get excited over a project or event and want to help with the success. If you give them the do’s and don’ts after the fact, you are doing a dis-service. Letting them know everything they can’t do after they get excited is deflating. Of course everyone in an organization should always be on the same page. Set up all the ground rules in advance. Tell each employee, team member, or volunteer that when they are ready to step up or take ownership of something they have all the guidelines to make it successful.
When we are not all on the same page, we not only send out mixed messages but we cause stress, tension, and confusion. But most importantly we hurt the end result of success.
