I just read a great article on Ragan.com about how two merging companies used video to communicate with employees during this major transition.  According to the author, “Communicators from both companies combined forces to create ArcelorMittal.tv, a social media Web site which includes a CEO blog and 15 videos that document the many challenges employees faced during the first year of the merger.”   

What struck me the most about this case was that fact that the communications team and senior leaders agreed to communicate about the good, bad, and the ugly.  The videos showed employees talking about the fact that they were worried about losing their jobs.  Others showed senior leaders having frank conversations about concerns. 

This is a great example of what I think of as the Front Line Connection phase of any major transition.  Connecting with employees real-time and without spin reduces fear, confusion, and mistrust.  Kudos to ArcelorMittal. 

To read the whole article, click here.