Writing for School Districts, part 2

At the same time I was doing interviews on the AVID program from the June 5 post, I also spoke with principals and administrators at several schools that have implemented a behavioral framework called Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). It focuses on what kids are doing right, instead of on what kids are doing "wrong." This article sums it up.

PBIS: Changing the Culture of School Behavior and Discipline

Posted at Federal Way Public Schools on June 7, 2014

Traditionally, teachers have focused their classroom management skills on students who were not following rules. Educators at schools across the district and state questioned the effectiveness of this approach, and asked, what if you instead focused on students’ positive behavior?

A big shift, it turns out. Moving from classroom to classroom at Meredith Hill Elementary, a district pioneer in this approach, it’s hard to spot a student not engaged in learning.

(see the rest of the article on the Federal Way Public Schools website)

When Matchy Matchy Is Important

Matchy Matchy? 

Interior designers often tell you not to flank your couch with two matching tables, topped with two matching lamps and to use different upholstery to add interest to your room. While I've never been a fan of anything "matchy matchy," there is a time when your company should be working toward making things match.

Consider
Company X tells prospects and customers they are all about creative ideas, embracing new thoughts and encouraging innovation. But in reality, Company X  requires employees to dress conservatively, work a strict schedule, limit cross talk, and only present ideas up the standard corporate chain of command. Internal communications is written in the third person and passive voice with a tone that delivers messages from the top down. The result? A deep disconnect between the internal and external brand.

Congruence
In recent years, I've had the chance to work with organizations who want to step up their communications programs. Some are focused outward and planning to only improve interaction with their customers or prospects. Others understand that the internal understanding of "who we are" and "what we do" drive the success of their external efforts. The second group are the ones I believe will be most successful.

Why? 
A simple explanation—it's not enough to simply change your ad campaign, website and marketing materials. Those items need to be backed up by a corporate culture that connects what you say with what you do.

Back to Company X
If instead, Company X created an atmosphere that welcomed any employee to email, stop in or call  management with their ideas, held regular group brainstorming sessions with people from different departments, and encouraged informal conversations to boost collaboration, Company X could SHOW their values of  creativity and innovation value. Their employees would likely be more flexible thinkers and come up with some outstanding ideas.

Your Turn
The example is extreme, and of course there is more to building your brand than making your internal workings match with your external brand, but it's a starting point. Think about the messages your company uses in public. Now think about what you say to your employees and how you want them to work. Do they match? If not, it's time for some changes. After all, your employees are some of your best brand ambassadors. 

Writing for School Districts

AVID in Federal Way Public Schools 

Working with school districts brings me in touch with some fascinating education programs. This spring, I had the opportunity to write about the Federal Way High School AVID program and some of the students who participate.

The story is posted on the Federal Way Public Schools website at  Federal Way High School AVID program.