Internal communication is an essential element of a company's success.
It keeps employees informed of the company's objectives, organizational changes, and their role in achieving these objectives.
A good internal communication strategy can improve employee productivity, collaboration and engagement.
However, if internal communication is neglected or poorly managed, it may have negative consequences for the company.
In this article, we will explore ways to boost an internal communication strategy and discover which companies are using them?
1/ Establish clear and consistent communication:
One of the main challenges of internal communication is to ensure that all employees receive the same message. This can be difficult, especially if the company is large and has many departments.
To remedy this, it is important to establish clear and coherent channels of communication. This may include regular meetings, electronic newsletters, intranets and billboards. It is also important to ensure that messages are simple and easy to understand. Avoid technical terms or acronyms that may not be familiar to all employees.
Coca-Cola Company is known to be a company that attaches great importance to internal communication. The company sets up processes to ensure that information is disseminated in a clear and consistent manner at all levels of the organisation. The company also ensures that messages are consistent at all levels of the organisation by training all managers in internal communication and providing them with tools to facilitate the dissemination of clear and accurate information to their teams.
2/Encourage employee participation
Employees who feel involved in decision-making are more likely to feel involved in the company. Therefore, it is important to encourage employee participation in internal communication. This may include brainstorming sessions, working groups and investigations. Employees can also be encouraged to share their ideas and opinions about the company in general.
For example, Virgin Group known for its playful and staggered brand uses games and competitions to encourage employee engagement. Virgin hosts an annual contest called « Pitch to Rich », where employees can propose innovative business ideas and present them to Richard Branson himself. This competition is an excellent way to stimulate creativity and strengthen corporate culture.
3/Using enterprise social networks
Enterprise social networks are increasingly popular as an internal means of communication. They allow employees to connect with each other and share information in real time.
Enterprise social networks can also be used for specific projects, group discussions and surveys. However, it is important to ensure that these platforms are used professionally and not used for inappropriate activities.
Cisco Company which is a global information and communication technology company uses a social media platform called « Cisco Quad » to facilitate communication and collaboration among employees of the company. Employees can publish status updates, articles, photos and videos, join focus groups and collaborate on projects. This approach has enabled Cisco to create a more open and collaborative business culture, facilitating more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
4/Using creative content
Employees can quickly lose interest in internal communications if they are repetitive or boring. To avoid this, it is important to use creative content to communicate with employees. This can include videos, infographics, animations and games. These creative elements can make communication more engaging and interesting for employees.
For example the company Zappos, which specializes in selling shoes online, is known for its approach to corporate culture.
The company has a very active internal communication strategy, including a weekly newsletter called « Zappos Culture Book ». This newsletter presents articles written by employees on various topics, including success stories, fun anecdotes and tips for working life. The newsletter is open to all employees of the company and is an excellent way to maintain a strong corporate culture and connect employees.
5/ Provide training
Training is an effective way to boost an internal communication strategy. They allow employees to develop new skills and better understand the company. Training can also improve employee collaboration and productivity. Training topics can include communication, project management, problem solving and creativity.
Examples include: Airbnb, the company regularly organises « Airbnb Academy » where employees can learn travel skills, such as learning new languages or discovering new cultures.
These events are an excellent way to strengthen teamwork and collaboration.
6/Encourage feedback and evaluation
To assess the effectiveness of internal communication, it is important to encourage employee feedback. This may include individual satisfaction surveys, evaluations and interviews. Feedback can help identify areas where communication can be improved and employees can also bring ideas to improve existing communication channels.
Microsoft for example regularly encourages feedback and suggestions from employees at all levels of the company. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, comments and concerns on various aspects of the company, including corporate culture, products and services, internal processes and internal communication. Microsoft also uses satisfaction surveys to measure the effectiveness of its internal communication and to identify areas that require improvement. These surveys are conducted regularly among employees and are used to improve internal communication and strengthen employee engagement.
In conclusiona dynamic internal communication strategy is essential for a successful business. It can improve employee engagement, collaboration and productivity. To boost internal communication, it is important to establish clear and coherent communication channels, encourage employee participation, use corporate social networks, provide creative content, provide training and encourage feedback and evaluation. By implementing these practices, companies can strengthen their internal communication and improve their overall efficiency.