Communication Enhancement Strategies to Mitigate Functional Siloes

Inefficient internal communication between program and financial operations may negatively affect organizational performance and profitability. Some Head Start Program (HSP) leaders are concerned with communication failures because of the potential to negatively impact business productivity and profitability. Grounded in business process re-engineering, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies used by HSP leaders to increase communications between program and financial operations to increase profitability. The participants were four HSP leaders located in the Northern Region of the United States, who successfully implemented such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Through thematic analysis, five themes emerged: (a) leadership role, (b) organizational culture change, (c) meeting frequency and inclusive attendance, (d) access to data, and (e) training. A key recommendation is for HSP leaders to invest in financial training for program managers by providing resources. The implications for positive social change include the potential for HSP leaders to enhance employee workplace experiences through improved communication strategies, thereby strengthening service quality for underserved communities.