AND AVOID THE RUMOR MILL
By Dave Aeilts
VistaComm®
Senior Journalist
PAGE
8
In this issue of Agri-Insights, we’re talking about
communicating with a purpose and a key to
accomplishing that is to always be clear.
One way to be clear is to define the what and the
why of your message up front and early—then follow
through.
One of the smartest people I’ve had the pleasure
of working with is Delane Thom, currently general
manager of Southwest Grain, Taylor, ND.
Many years ago, referring to a construction project he
was planning, Delane told me, “Before a shovel goes in
the ground, I’ll tell our customers what we’re going to
do and why we’re going to do it. During construction,
I’ll tell them what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
After the project is completed, I’ll report on the results
and remind the customers, one more time, exactly
what we did and why.”
Notice, the what and the why is figured prominently
in every segment of Delane’s communications
strategy. By repeating the truth, he discouraged
rumors that could have muddi