Abstract
How do you maintain or even improve employee morale in a time of decreasing budgets and increasing demands? Communication, Communication, Communication! When staff is aware of the larger picture, in both the university and the industry, surprises that can erode morale are kept to a minimum. External communication is important, as well. The time spent in building strong relationships and ties with the user community pays dividends in the long run. This paper discusses some strategies the author has found effective over the years in helping her departments through times of no raises, personnel shortages, flat budgets and projects gone awry.