Communicating Big News, Changes, and Pivots With Latch

There are so many creative ways to leverage Latch to get your team all in the right seat on the boat and rowing in the same direction (without clanking oars)!

…and there’s no way for you to have those insights unless we share them with you.

Each week we’ll unpack real examples and offer you helpful tools and other golden nuggets to help you connect your team to what’s most important and inspire them to take action – without more meetings or emails.

This week's Latch Unlock reveals how you can use Latch to communicate big news, changes, or pivots to your team.

You might ask… why not just announce big news in an all-hands meeting – or – send an email?

Here’s why: 

1. Your team isn’t reading your emails
   
   
2. 93% of communication is non-verbal which makes the written word ineffective
   
   
3. Your team is distracted on virtual meetings (even if they don’t seem like it)
   
   
4. You don’t have time to wait for the next meeting to get everyone moving and grooving
   
   
5. You have no idea or insights about how people feel about the news you shared

Latch was designed to avoid all of the shortcomings of email and meetings. Here's a quick video on Latch and its features if you need a refresher.

Unlock: Using Latch to communicate big news

🔓 Story 1 – Announcing team member promotions using Latch  

In a recent employee survey of a coast-to-coast company, the feedback exposed the lack of unity between the two coasts and the need to go from founder-led to leader-led. 

Having operated the last 10 years with a loose leadership structure and unclear roles and responsibilities, this quickly growing health club knew it was time to change it up. In short, we created a Founder’s Circle, an Executive Leadership Team, and promoted 7 people.

And rolled all of it out on Latch.

Here is why we’ve deemed it a worthy Latch Unlock: 

• Consistent and clear video messaging communicated a bright future and created excitement for change.
  
  
• Incorporated visuals and stories of the team members promoted so that everyone could become familiar with the leaders – some of which they might not know well. 
  
  
• Engaged the team to give high fives to the newly elevated team and get their insights on how they could contribute and support the transition.

🔓 Story 2 – Sharing a key team member resignation and making it a learning lesson

We’ve all had that time when a key team member unexpectedly gave their resignation – and we needed to get the news out… before the news got out. 

Last week a client used Latch to announce the recent resignation to their full company.

Another Latch Unlock? Sure is. Here’s why: 

• Everyone heard the same information at the same time… no telephone game of who left and why.
  
  
• Limit FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) of what it means to lose key talent and the signal it might send to existing team members.
  
  
• It gave the leader an opportunity to resurface the values and connect them to how the organization hires and grows team members.
  
  

🔓 Story 3 – Shaping the narrative and getting ahead of the rumor mill

Expanding operations to another country is exciting! Normally this type of announcement is done at a live meeting when we talk about the strategic plan for the year. And sometimes great opportunities have their own timelines in terms of when they’re going to come to fruition. 

Our client used Latch to announce the expansion. 

And even better – the announcement gave a safe space for team members to voice their concerns. This ended up elevating one particular concern that exposed a potential HR challenge. Turns out – the HR challenge was alleviated and Latch gave the client the opportunity to make the intentions understood.

Overall, it was a huge win and made this Latch Unlock list:   

• 7% increase in participation from one week to the next
  
  
• 2 employees asked for help to get on Latch as they experienced FOMO due to the buzz the videos created
  
  
• 10+ inspired actions from their team on how they can support the expansion and other initiatives
  
  
• A consistent message from the Executive Team about an important strategic initiative
  
  
• A potential HR situation avoided and an employee feeling extremely cared for

If you want to read the full version of the story, click here.

That’s what we call a Latch Unlock.

Last but not least...

Here are a few recent SHIFT blogs (and bonus video) that may really resonate with you and give you some added fuel to keep going!

If you’ve ever put something out to your team and only heard crickets as a response, you’re not alone. This is the story of how Latch emerged to meet this moment.

Yes, these confessions are things that all leaders think but are too afraid to say out loud. Consider this your invitation to accept these truths – and then do something about it.

Going through this flow twice a week for 10-15 minutes will legitimately change the trajectory of your organization. Don’t underestimate how getting into this flow can ignite powerful change.

Ready to learn more about how Latch can transform your organization? Let's chat.