Businesses learn key communication message from Rolls-Royce

‘Communication is key’ was the message delivered to business leaders on a visit to one of the country’s leading engineering firms.

Manufacturing and engineering representatives had the chance to learn about business communication and culture from Rolls-Royce.

Members of the latest Productivity Through People (PtP) cohort at Lancaster University Management School visited the company’s factory in Barnoldswick as part of their 12-month programme.

The SME representatives toured the Bankfield facility to tie in with the ‘Culture, Employee Engagement and Communication’ element of the course, seeing how Rolls-Royce have tackled issues in that area.

PtP aims to help SMEs empower and engage front-line staff, leading to a better usage of skills, and transforming management practices and leadership and building a more productive future.

The programme features visits to three internationally renowned industrial partners – BAE Systems, Siemens and Rolls-Royce – allowing them to see how all three have transformed their workplace by putting employee engagement at the centre of their improvement processes.

The day included a talk by the manufacturing executive and wider team about communication and culture within Rolls-Royce, explaining how they use a number of communication platforms and channels, engagement activities through a network of magic makers, use of values and behaviours to drive culture change to ensure they are pioneering the power that matter to engage their staff and create a strong culture.

Steve Kitson, manufacturing executive, from Rolls-Royce said: "We are delighted to share our culture journey with the delegates, in particular when we do the site tour it gives the opportunity to do a go-look-see which brings to life our approach.  We enjoy the visit every year and always receive great feedback from the groups who come along."

The visit followed an in-depth workshop with LUMS MBA course director Dr Robyn Remke about issues around communications with staff and employee culture.

Dr Remke, who also attended the plant visit, said: ‘’After spending a day with the PtP cohort learning how to create and use communication strategically within the workplace, it was absolutely thrilling to see how Rolls-Royce used their media and organisational culture to encourage their employees to change their behaviour to create a more safety conscious environment.

“Rolls-Royce provided first-hand knowledge of not only the importance of effective and impactful communication, but demonstrated communication best practice for the PtP cohort. It was great to see theory put into practice.”

The next Productivity Through People programme starts in October, and is open to manufacturing and engineering companies based in the North West. For more information, email ptp@lancaster.ac.uk, call 01524 593583 or visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/ptp