Companies with the most effective communication programs have a 47 percent higher total return to shareholders from 2002 to 2006 compared to companies that communicate less effectively, according to a new Watson Wyatt study. Six communication practices of the high performing companies were identified in the study: focusing managers and employees on customer needs; engaging employee in running the business; helping managers communicate effectively; leveraging the talents of internal communicators to manage change; measuring the impact of employee communication; and branding the employee experience.