Internal communication is an essential factor for the smooth running of an organization. As a company, we believe in the need and have the opportunity to use all the tools at our disposal to improve communication with our staff, which generates a climate of trust and positively impacts the motivation and productivity of everyone.
However, it is not always easy. In 2013, through a labor climate survey, we detected some shortcomings in this essential aspect for the company. Many employees from the production plants pointed to areas for improvement in dialogue among all group collaborators.
For Castrosua, human capital is the most important thing. Therefore, once we were aware of this problem, we set out to develop a strategy to solve it. These are some of the actions we have undertaken, which have significantly improved internal communication and the work environment today.
Internal Communication Team: the cornerstone of internal communication at Castrosua
Our Internal Communication Team (ECI) is the central axis of this strategy, with representatives from Castrosua in Santiago and Carsa in Vilagarcía. It is made up of volunteers, and efforts are made to ensure all levels of the organization are represented. Furthermore, its structure is horizontal, without hierarchies. Initially, there were two teams, one for each company, but it was decided to merge them into one to also improve inter-company communications.
The ECI has a budget to carry out actions aimed at both energizing internal communication within the company and fostering camaraderie among all staff.
Each year, the team’s composition is renewed, except for two members who remain to ensure continuity of the projects launched and to continue pursuing the set objectives: the heads of Marketing and HR.
The most recently launched communication channel is a WhatsApp broadcast list managed by the communication department, which already has nearly 300 people registered. This channel is used to send a wide variety of information: institutional, factory, market, customer, and of course, about the activities organized by the ECI.
Two tools as traditional as they are effective
The notice boards located in each section of the factory have, for years, been a valuable space for conveying certain communications to employees. However, this tool ceases to be useful if neglected and information is not presented with rigor and order. This was, at a certain point, our case.
For some time now, we have been implementing a cleaning, organization, and maintenance system that has restored the effectiveness of the notice boards. Today, this medium continues to be one of the main communication channels with the staff, as it is a simple, visible, and very accessible tool.
Furthermore, on a semi-annual basis, we publish and distribute a newsletter, both physically and online, which highlights the company’s most important news. In addition to corporate and sector-specific information, we share other content of interest to the staff and conduct employee interviews.
We foster motivation and continuous improvement
Each year, during the Christmas celebration with our staff, the Castrosua Group Awards are presented, which include a cash prize. The call for entries is divided into two categories: on the one hand, the José Manuel Castro Award for best professional practices; on the other, the D. José Castro Award for employees who best embody the group’s corporate values, such as camaraderie, respect, or the promotion of teamwork.
Employees themselves propose the final list of candidates, who are ultimately evaluated by a jury composed of members of the group’s owning family and randomly selected staff.
Another initiative aimed at fostering motivation is a benefit program exclusively for Castrosua employees. We have reached agreements with over 30 companies that allow us to obtain discounts and other advantages through an employee card. Additionally, staff can propose new companies they consider interesting, and even companies of family and friends, to help them with sales.
Breakfasts with the President
This line of action is specifically aimed at working on bringing Management closer to all employees. Periodically, Juan Luis Castro, President of Castrosua, holds working breakfasts with employees. The objective of this initiative, which we have called “Breakfasts with the President,” is to hear their concerns firsthand and get to know the entire team on a more personal level.
Camaraderie through sports and other activities for the whole family
Many of the values on which our company culture is based correspond to those that are also essential in sports: effort, self-improvement, respect, camaraderie… Therefore, we firmly believe in the power of sports to reinforce these values and relationships among staff.
With this premise in mind, we have launched sports leagues and events for paddle tennis, football, cycling, skiing or fishing trips, and multi-adventure or escape room sessions. The reception of these activities is very positive, and the experience is always satisfying for participants.
On some occasions, these activities have also been open to suppliers, clients, and family members. But this is not the only initiative we have undertaken aimed at staff’s family and friends.
Throughout the year, we carry out various initiatives aimed at ensuring that employees’ loved ones become familiar with the factory facilities and the work we do. In this context, our popular Christmas “Chocolatada” (hot chocolate event), open to the youngest members of the family, and our open house days stand out.
We involve our staff in CSR initiatives
We have developed various solidarity initiatives in collaboration with NGOs, such as food and toy drives or charity runs. With Christmas approaching, these actions take on special relevance, and at Castrosua, we love to see our colleagues involved in CSR. What better way to grow and improve internally than by helping others.
These are some of the lines of action we have established to improve our internal communication, but we know that this must be subject to continuous improvement. We will continue working to achieve our goal: that all the people who make up the Castrosua Team are and feel equally informed and heard in the company’s day-to-day operations.
