Informal Communication & Efficiency
The Grapevine — Managing What You Cannot Control
Case: NovaTech Solutions Plc
AO2NovaTech is a 400-employee software company headquartered in London. It recently expanded into three European markets. The CEO is known for being "hands-off" — decisions are delegated heavily, and the company prides itself on a flat, open culture. However, after six months of rapid growth, HR has flagged a troubling pattern: informal rumours are spreading faster than official announcements, and staff satisfaction scores have dropped 22% in one quarter.
Examiner Trap
Students often assume management should ban the grapevine. Cambridge mark schemes reward answers that recognise informal communication is impossible to eliminate— the strategic move is to manage and feed it with accurate information.
Your Strategic Brief
You are the new Head of Internal Communications at NovaTech. The CEO has tasked you with designing a strategy that harnesses the grapevine rather than fighting it, while simultaneously improving the efficiency of day-to-day communication across all 400 employees. Use the Theory Deck and War Room below to build your case.
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