Interviewing

Many organisations come to realise that their most important source of corporate memory resides in the minds and hearts of their management and employees. This is certainly true at the higher levels of an organisation where the real dynamics of operating the business have, more often than not, not been recorded.

It is, therefore, critical to capture the 'real history' of an organisation through an interviewing or Oral History Program.

The success of an Oral History Program is highly dependent on selecting the right person to undertake the interviewing. This is a professional task. The interviewer has to be knowledgeable about the business, able to communicate extremely well, utilise professional interviewing techniques and be able to relate well with a vast level of people.

Key issues for consideration in undertaking a interview program are:

• how to select the right interviewer
• what should they be paid - what should they deliver
• who should be interviewed and in what order
• what questions should be asked
• how to ensure confidentiality
• how to manage the review of transcripts
• whether interview 'release forms' are needed

and much more which Focus can help you with.

Companies we have undertaken interview programs for include Woolworths, H J Langdon, Utilux, Gowings, the Home Building Society, The American Club.