Today, companies of any size must ensure their internal communications are beneficial and impactful.
Simply sending messages from management to staff is no longer sufficient. Instead, strong internal communications tactics are needed to help organizations stay agile in an evolving world.
As a result, investing time into effective internal communications shows employees they are valued and allows businesses to flourish.
Why Are Internal Communications Important?
According to a recent survey by Grammarly, companies with 500 employees lose about $6.25M a year resolving communication issues. In addition, there are financial costs associated with poor internal communication, which include:
● Missed deadlines
● Eroded brand reputation
Research by Aon Hewitt (2020) indicates that time lost due to improper communication costs US companies $85 billion annually. But, unfortunately, that doesn’t account for the psychological costs of stress and frustration felt by the employees dealing with the inefficiencies.
What are the Benefits of Improving Internal Communications?
Companies with strong internal communication see a much higher employee engagement rate, resulting in employees feeling supported and valued by their managers. This helps cultivate trust between employers and employees, which drives productivity and reduces turnover rates drastically – up to 202%, according to Dale Carnegie’s research.
Excellent internal communications also foster better collaboration amongst workers, leading to more significant value creation for the company. Consistent communication practices are essential in creating an effective working environment where teams can collaborate effectively toward common goals.
And Most Common Internal Communications Issues Are…
1. Lack of transparency
2. Last-minute, unclear requests from senior management
3. Top-down only communications
4. Not listening to employees
5. Employees unsure of company goals
6. Ignoring remote employees
7. Weak messaging
8. No communications support from managers
9. Complex onboarding and offboarding processes
10. Poor measurement of the internal comms plan
How to Add Value to Your IC Strategy
Focus on delivering a multi-layered approach to get the most out of your Internal Communications strategy. For example, utilize newsletters and emails to reach employees but don’t forget about other mediums, such as videos or in-person meetings with key front-line personnel; these extra steps can help ensure an effective communication plan from all levels within the organization.
1. Deliver purposeful information to your employees on time
Keep your staff updated with timely and relevant news about what’s happening at the company. Showcase important information from top management so everyone can stay informed, understand expectations, and see what lies ahead.
2. Make the most of your intranet
Unlock the power of your intranet to drive employee engagement and productivity. From job postings, essential documents, and upcoming events – create a one-stop shop for employees to access what they need quickly. Strategically design an organized layout showcasing only the most valuable information so everyone can get back their work quickly.
3. Hold productive meetings
Organizations rely on meetings to keep their operations running smoothly but they needn’t become time-sinks. Establishing guidelines that ensure everyone understands what a productive meeting looks like will help prevent unproductive conversations and maximize the value of these all-important gatherings.
4. Produce short-form educational videos
Utilizing short-form videos like the ones on Tik Tok and Instagram is a great way to brighten up your internal communication strategy. Instead of just reading about topics, consider engaging your employees with fun video content that effortlessly shares knowledge in an entertaining way.
5. Get managers involved
Leadership is key in the workplace. Managers can inspire their teams and engage with them to drive outstanding performance. Equip your management staff with resources that facilitate effective communication between colleagues, allowing for meaningful conversations and strong collaboration.
6. Hold regular listening sessions as part of internal communications
Creating a culture of open communication is essential for any business. Regular listening sessions provide an excellent opportunity to encourage employees to be heard and allow managers to gain valuable insight into the pulse of their team. Through active engagement and dialogue, these productive conversations foster greater understanding between colleagues while providing invaluable feedback that can shape future decision-making processes.
7. Help employees feel like they belong
Following the aftermath of the pandemic, companies must shift their focus from measuring employee engagement to a much deeper sense of well-being. Cornell University describes workplace belonging as “the feeling of security and support when there is a sense that an individual has been accepted within his team or organization.” In reality, employers must go beyond standard practices to ensure individuals feel secure in their work environment.
Ready to improve your internal communications?
Are you looking to maximize your organization’s internal communication efforts? A comprehensive and up-to-date plan is invaluable for companies that want to reach their goals.
Constant Communicators can help provide the creative, strategic planning solutions necessary for success.
Investing now will ensure improved collaboration and strong support of key objectives – so don’t delay. Take action today toward better communications within your organization.
