Difference between revisions of "Communication: Recommendations"

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Communication is a very important aspect of research quality and can often be challenging due to various scientific backgrounds, cultures, needs and expectations. Here are some ideas and tips how communication with the users could be improved.
  
 
== First meeting ==
 
== First meeting ==
  
It is best to talk '''face-to-face''' to a new user before they start working at your core facility.  
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* Talk face-to-face to a new user before they start working at your core facility.  
  
'''Listen''' to their project, their needs and expectations. '''Take notes.'''
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* Listen to their project, their needs and expectations. Take notes.  
  
'''Explain''' them what the facility can do for them, how it works and what you expect from them in return.
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* Explain them what the facility can do for them, how processes are carried out and what your expectations are.
  
Use a '''check-in list''' (onboarding checklist) so that you do not forget to tell them some important information during the first meeting.  
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* Use a "check-in" list (onboarding checklist) so that you do not forget to tell them some important information.  
  
Provide a '''written document''' (file or printer paper) to summarize everything you said.
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* Provide a written document (file or printout) to summarize everything you said.
  
 
== General considerations ==
 
== General considerations ==
 
   
 
   
Using a [[Data management: Recommendations|management software]] or a chat platform [https://www.quiply.com/ (for example)] can help improving the communication because it allows the follow-up of discussions in individual channels. Choose '''one way''' of communicating (email or management software or chat or…) and consistently use the same one with your user. This will facilitate the communication, make it more efficient, prevent forgotten and lost messages and also allow the tracking and follow-up of older messages. Being consistent and sticking to one system is important to ensure the user’s optimal response and involvement.  
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Using a [[Data management: Recommendations|'''management software''']] or a chat platform [https://www.quiply.com/ (for example)] can help improving communication because it allows the follow-up of discussions in individual channels. Choose one way of communicating (email or management software or chat or…) and consistently use the same one with your user. This will facilitate the communication, make it more efficient, prevent forgotten and lost messages and also allow the tracking and follow-up of older messages. Being consistent and sticking to one system is important to ensure the user’s optimal response and involvement.  
  
[[File:Communication_triangle.png|250px|right]]
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After a discussion, summarize the key points in writing.
  
Do not forget to involve the '''PI'''. The communication should not be only between the user and you.
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Do not forget to involve the '''PI''', especially with inexperienced users.
  
After a discussion, summarize the key points in writing.
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[[File:Communication_triangle.png|250px]]
  
 
== Tips ==
 
== Tips ==
  
* Adapt to each user’s different personality, culture, needs and expectation
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'''General tips about communication'''
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* Adapt to each user’s different personalities, cultures, needs and expectations
 
* Keep an open mind
 
* Keep an open mind
* Listen and speak
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* Listen ''and'' speak
* Do not assume you are understood
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* Do not assume you are being understood
 
* Speak what is in your mind  
 
* Speak what is in your mind  
  
  
'''The six facets of effective listening are:''' [https://worldofwork.io/2019/07/six-facets-of-effective-listening/]
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'''The six facets of effective listening are explained''' [https://worldofwork.io/2019/07/six-facets-of-effective-listening/ '''here''']
* paying attention,
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* paying attention
* monitoring for non-verbal communications,
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* monitoring for non-verbal communication
* paraphrasing and repeating back,
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* paraphrasing and repeating back  
* making no assumptions,
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* making no assumptions
* encouraging the communicator to speak,
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* encouraging the communicator to speak  
* visualizing the message you’re receiving.
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* visualizing the message you are receiving
  
  
'''How to give an effective seminar:''' [https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01574-z]
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'''How to give an effective seminar is developed''' [https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01574-z '''here''']
 
* Stay on topic and on time
 
* Stay on topic and on time
 
* Tone of voice
 
* Tone of voice
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== <span id="problems"></span>Problems ==
 
== <span id="problems"></span>Problems ==
  
If a problem arises:
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* Immediately organize a small meeting with user and CF member to discuss the problems face-to-face and desired outcome. Identify the cause and find solutions. Agree on strategy and timeline to remedy the problem.
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'''If a problem arises:'''
* Document the meeting: make notes (meeting minutes) of the problem and the agreed actions.  
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* Immediately organize a small meeting with the user and CF staff to discuss the problem face-to-face and the desired outcome. Identify the cause and find solutions together. Agree on a strategy and timeline to remedy the problem.
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* Document the meeting: take notes of the problem and the agreed actions (meeting minutes).  
 
* One or two weeks later, check the action completion and update the meeting minutes.
 
* One or two weeks later, check the action completion and update the meeting minutes.
 
* Deal with problems face-to-face, not by emails!
 
* Deal with problems face-to-face, not by emails!
  
  
Angry customers:
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'''Angry customers:'''
 
* Remain clam
 
* Remain clam
 
* Listen actively and repeat back what the user is saying
 
* Listen actively and repeat back what the user is saying
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== User’s feedback ==
 
== User’s feedback ==
  
Another way to improve your service is to provide user’s [[:File:User-feedback-form.docx|feedback]] to know the expectations and dissatisfactions of your users. More efficient than a paper survey is an online survey (e.g. LimeSurvey or integrated to your website). It offers the advantage of automatically analysing the data.
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Another way to improve your service is to give users the possibility to provide feedback on the CF service (for example with this [[:File:User-feedback-form.docx|'''user's feedback form''']]). An online survey (e.g. LimeSurvey or integrated to your website) is probably more efficient as it offers the advantage of analysing the data automatically.
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[[Start_here|Go back to menu]]

Latest revision as of 12:56, 24 March 2021

Communication is a very important aspect of research quality and can often be challenging due to various scientific backgrounds, cultures, needs and expectations. Here are some ideas and tips how communication with the users could be improved.

First meeting

  • Talk face-to-face to a new user before they start working at your core facility.
  • Listen to their project, their needs and expectations. Take notes.
  • Explain them what the facility can do for them, how processes are carried out and what your expectations are.
  • Use a "check-in" list (onboarding checklist) so that you do not forget to tell them some important information.
  • Provide a written document (file or printout) to summarize everything you said.

General considerations

Using a management software or a chat platform (for example) can help improving communication because it allows the follow-up of discussions in individual channels. Choose one way of communicating (email or management software or chat or…) and consistently use the same one with your user. This will facilitate the communication, make it more efficient, prevent forgotten and lost messages and also allow the tracking and follow-up of older messages. Being consistent and sticking to one system is important to ensure the user’s optimal response and involvement.

After a discussion, summarize the key points in writing.

Do not forget to involve the PI, especially with inexperienced users.

Communication triangle.png

Tips

General tips about communication

  • Adapt to each user’s different personalities, cultures, needs and expectations
  • Keep an open mind
  • Listen and speak
  • Do not assume you are being understood
  • Speak what is in your mind


The six facets of effective listening are explained here

  • paying attention
  • monitoring for non-verbal communication
  • paraphrasing and repeating back
  • making no assumptions
  • encouraging the communicator to speak
  • visualizing the message you are receiving


How to give an effective seminar is developed here

  • Stay on topic and on time
  • Tone of voice
  • Word choice
  • Body language
  • Keep people’s attention (the average attention span is only 10-20 minutes…)
  • Practice

Problems

If a problem arises:

  • Immediately organize a small meeting with the user and CF staff to discuss the problem face-to-face and the desired outcome. Identify the cause and find solutions together. Agree on a strategy and timeline to remedy the problem.
  • Document the meeting: take notes of the problem and the agreed actions (meeting minutes).
  • One or two weeks later, check the action completion and update the meeting minutes.
  • Deal with problems face-to-face, not by emails!


Angry customers:

  • Remain clam
  • Listen actively and repeat back what the user is saying
  • Apologise and thank them for bringing the issue to your attention
  • Present a solution: explain steps you will take to solve the problem
  • Take action and set a time for follow-up
  • Highlight the case’s priority

User’s feedback

Another way to improve your service is to give users the possibility to provide feedback on the CF service (for example with this user's feedback form). An online survey (e.g. LimeSurvey or integrated to your website) is probably more efficient as it offers the advantage of analysing the data automatically.


Go back to menu