Seeking Feedback: How Can I Improve My First HR Newsletter for Better Engagement?

Hi Friends!! Thanks to all who gave me support in the last few days. Now, I have released the 1st HR Newsletter for the company where I am working. I used duplicate names & pictures due to confidentiality issues.

Request for Feedback

I request all wise and experienced HR Professionals to please check it and comment so I can improve it before the next issue. "I created it for the very first time, so please evaluate it based on my level and encourage me along with your critical analysis. I really want to learn new ideas and concepts."

I am waiting for exciting and prompt replies!!!

Regards,
Mahima
AM-HR

Very good effort for the first newsletter. However, because it is the first, there should be a message from the CEO or MD. Also, it would be a good idea to include some sort of competition such as a (work-related) word puzzle or Sudoku. This would encourage feedback and determine how many employees are actually reading the newsletter. You should also include an employee contribution page.

Hope the above helps. Good luck with the next and future issues.

Regards,
Harsh

Good work. Is this going as an email or in printed book format?

Suggestions:

1. I second @Harsh's thoughts; a message from leaders in your company is a must.

2. Please check spelling. Your first sentence says "Massage from HR." I am sure if you have already sent that, your employees could have giggled.

3. Have one section dedicated to "FAQ Section" on company policies.

4. Have one section "Life at Your Company Section," maybe written by some employee.

5. Have one section "Biography of any one Employee." Have 7-8 common questions for this and ask the same questions to the employee you choose here.

6. Always mention the source of articles that you don't own.

7. Limit your articles to a maximum of 1 page.

8. In Employee Engagement: Have actual original pictures listed. If you don't have a company digital camera, buy one immediately with not less than 14 megapixels and additional storage HDD. Have some short write-up for this section. A humorous write-up will be great.

9. Awards & More: Here too, have actual photos of employees.

10. One section from Finance would be great.

That's all I can remember now. Hope it's helpful.

Regards,
Ukmitra

Hi Harsh, Thanks for your valuable inputs; surely, they will help me make it better. Yes, I must include the message from the CEO. In the next letter, I will surely include it and will add some more exciting things that you explained.

Regards, Mahima

Hi Ukmitra,
Thanks for all your ideas and guidelines. I included original pictures when I sent it to employees. As the company is in the startup phase, it's not possible for us to go with a printed version, so I sent it by email to employees. Moreover, thanks for highlighting the grammatical mistake as I sent it, but nobody has seen this. I appreciate your insight.

Here, I want to know what the role of the finance department's section is in the HR newsletter apart from compliance (EPF/ESI updates/last dates).

Regards,
Mahima

Nice job, keep it up Mahima! Feedback listed may help you.

Spell Check and Content Accuracy

Spell check needs to be done – nothing on earth can help more. If you copy and paste content, make sure it accurately matches your topic or heading.

Content Suggestions

- You can add employee wedding anniversaries.
- Ask employees to contribute by writing articles about the company, employee achievements, poems, sketches, paintings, etc.
- Include the company's achievements for the month, if any.

Design and Presentation

Work on alignments and color combinations, which will make the newsletter more attractive.

Well, Finance can contribute with a tax-saving article, FAQs on issues they come across regarding employee salary and others, investment articles, notices, or reminders on due dates for submitting vouchers, etc. A few things can be repetitive, no problem. Your article should engage the audience as if it's your company's Facebook.

Role of the Finance Department in HR Newsletters

Hi Ukmitra, thanks for all your ideas and guidelines. I included original pictures when I sent it to employees. As the company is in the startup phase, it's not possible for us to go with a printed version, so I sent it by email to employees. Moreover, thanks for highlighting the grammatical mistake as I sent the same, but nobody has seen this. I appreciate your insight.

Here, I want to know what the role of the finance department's section is in the HR newsletter apart from compliance (EPF/ESI updates/last dates).

Regards,
Mahima

I have read with interest the discussion. Thank you for attaching the Newsletter. Sometimes it is better to ask someone else to read the script before finalizing and sending. Spell check will not spot mistakes such as "Massage" for "Message." We all make certain mistakes which have become a habit; for example, you have made the same mistake in your post also.

Website for Newsletter Examples

I found a good website that has examples of newsletters at http://newsletterauthority.com <link updated to site home> (https://www.citehr.com//results.php?...etter Examples | https://www.google.com/search?q=Newsletter Examples). Maybe a study of different designs will help you.

Regards

This is indeed a very good effort. Further to the excellent suggestions by other members, I would like to reiterate the importance of addressing spelling and grammatical mistakes (it's not just about the 'massage' for 'message'). There are others too—like 'noting' for 'nothing' in the very first quote. Also, it's 'company growth,' not 'company growths'—if you wish to put it in plural, it should be 'growth of companies.'

Quotes for the Month

Perhaps you could separate the quotes into a different section under "Quotes for the Month" or some such sub-title if you are planning this to be a regular monthly feature.

Regarding the quote about 'motivation,' I recall one by Zig Ziglar: After a speech about motivation, someone from the audience asked him: '..but motivation doesn't last in the case of many employees.' He replied: 'Bathing doesn't either. That's why I recommend it daily.'

In addition to Harsh's suggestion about including the CEO's message, I would recommend including a message from some Head of Department for every issue. This would ensure their participation in the 'sharing' and building relationships within the company—addressing the mistake #2 you mentioned. This would make the newsletter multi-directional beyond bidirectional rather than solely from HR to the rest of the employees.

Ukmitra's suggestion about including finance-related topics is indeed good and useful—not limited to just ESI/EPF. Ultimately, it all boils down to money/revenue for any organization. If an employee finds a better way to handle a task that saves money for the company, that could be highlighted as an appreciation. Often, there are things that humans value more than money (increments/hikes, etc.) that don't cost much to the company—which you seem to have taken care of.

Rewards & Recognitions Section

In the Rewards & Recognitions section, it would be better to provide brief details about WHY the reward is being given. The idea is not just to appreciate the individual but also to 'coax' others to follow. This would be more effective if your company is spread out in multiple locations.

All the best.

Regards,

TS

Firstly, I must compliment your enthusiasm and the effort that has gone into bringing out this newsletter. You deserve credit for creating the first newsletter, leaving your signature on something done for the first time, much like Neil Armstrong landing on the moon or Sir Edmund Hillary reaching the summit of the Himalayas. These are significant milestones, and you can take pride in being the first in your organization to conceive and execute your plans to make this newsletter a reality. Keep it up; you need to sustain this for it to continue. You haven't put your signature anywhere, so make it a point to include your name at the end as you take ownership and responsibility. Acknowledge contributions by others by giving credit to them too.

A Cardinal Principle to Follow

Know your audience well and cater to their taste.

My Tips Would Be:

- **Professional:** Include updates on things happening in your industry vis-a-vis your company activities. This can be contributions from the business heads or your company.

- **Training Programs:** Share information about programs conducted, sponsored, or people deputed outside the office to attend training programs. Provide a short description of topics and a list of participants.

- **General Article:** Include an article on an interesting subject (non-religious) that focuses on personal development. Remember to acknowledge the source and take care of copyright issues. Today's suggested subject could be energy, environment, or ecology.

- **Trivia Column:** Introduce an "Amazing Facts" section. For example:
- Up to 1800 thunderstorms are happening worldwide at any moment.
- The average person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime.

- **Investment and Tax Tips:** Similar to what you have included, share relevant tips.

- **Personal:** Include updates on things and events happening on the personal front, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and a "Baby's Corner." Incorporate pictures to enhance the content.

Generate interest, gradually increase momentum, and involve more people to help you publish this newsletter on a monthly basis.

Critical Aspects:

- Check for spelling errors. For instance, the opening page's first line "Massage from HR" is a letdown in terms of both spelling and the professional status of HR.
- Check for grammar mistakes; I recommend using simple sentences.

Employee Engagement

Provide a simple definition such as "Emotional connection an employee feels toward his or her organization." Follow this link to read the complete definition: What is employee engagement?

For more information on this topic, follow these links:
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_engagement
- CiteHR: Search for "What is employee engagement Engage For Success"
- Google: Search for "What is employee engagement Engage For Success"

Regarding your choice of colors, ensure you use contrasting colors. For example, on the first page, the green color of ABC (P) Ltd against the orange background can be harsh on the eyes. Pay attention to aesthetics as well.

Congratulations on your effort, and best wishes for the future.

Regards

I am thankful for your critical analysis of my post. Your write-up encouraged and restored my mind, and I am feeling that yes, I can create it in a better way.

Regards,
Mahima