An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | EDDIE MAC SWEENEY INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH, DFHQ LIEUTENANT PHOTOS BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY L t Eddie Mac Sweeney joined PR Branch forming the first Defence Forces Internal Communication Team with Sgt Rena Kennedy in July 2019. The current digital communication situation within the DF caters for approxi- mately 9,000 members holding 6,000 e-mail addresses with use of 3,000 physical computers. This shortfall cou- pled with current gaps in the chain of command creates an information vacuum, where rumour and here-say prevail. It is this reason and more that an Internal Communication Team has been tasked to bridge this information-sharing gap. Our main effort is to relay vital information to all DF members in a timely manner. It is the Internal Communication Team's Mission to 'invigorate our internal audience, ensuring personnel feel valued, listened to and have a common purpose'. This will be achieved by showing how our actions will support the Defence Forces' three key drivers: 'Vision, Mission and Strate- gic Planning Framework'. The DF Vision is 'to strengthen our nation by inspiring pride and leading excellence,' while our DF Mission is 'to provide the military capability to defend Ireland and assigned interests internationally,' and finally our Strategic Planning Framework 2015 – 2025 is to Consoli- date, Enhance and Evolve. The Internal Communications Action Plan (ICAP) below outlines the tactical campaigns and initiatives to be used to achieve the Internal Communications Strategy. "Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory, tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."—Sun Tsu The 2015 climate survey identified Internal Communica- tion as a key area of concern for all DF members. Our first task as the IC Team was to evaluate each of the current communication channels and measure their effec- tiveness. As a result, the IC Team have developed four new communications channels in which DF members can engage while both on and off-site. The Internal Communications Digest (ICD) was designed and developed to deliver forward-looking accurate and timely information of interest to our members in order to increase awareness on current and future developments across the organisation. This monthly ICD poster is delivered physically to each unit noticeboard while being sent digitally to all e-mail accounts within the DF. To further allow access, persons out of barracks or for those who do not have access to IKON and e-mail the ICD is also published on www.mili- tary.ie in our Member's Area. Our Member's Area on www. military.ie, launched in September 2019 in order to allow personnel who are non-desk biased to access open-source information while off-site. In closing the feedback loop a new confidential e-mail ser- vice has now launched - feedback@defenceforces.ie. This ser- vice will answer general military enquiries while also facilitat- ing feedback on all DF issues and events. (See advert across.) The Internal Communications Road Show will be coming to all military locations between Q1 – Q2 2020, in order to discuss further developments and to address any outstand- ing issues. We ask for maximum attendance and that you have your questions and queries prepared. Since the re-org in 2012, the DF has been going through a large period of organisational change. Managing change in both a personal and professional context can be a trau- matic experience as a natural cycle of uncertain outcomes and mixed emotions are evoked. This can severely hinder positive progress during a time of change. To counter this reaction units must provide support and clear communica- tion at every opportunity in order to move forward into a brighter future. This positive movement of information sharing both face- to-face and digitally, will empower the most disenfranchised therefore achieving our mission in streamlining critical infor- mation flow while boosting the morale of our organisation and 'invigorating the internal audience'. For further information on matters which directly affect you, or if you wish to feature in next month's Internal Com- munications Digest, e-mail feedback@defenceforces.ie.

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