The Importance of Internal Communications

What is Internal Communications? The Council of Public Relations Firms has defined internal communications as, The ongoing process of managing perceptions and expectations among constituents, to build consensus and support for an organization’s goals and strategies (Council of Public Relations Firms, 2009). So it sounds like internal communications should be simple enough.

All businesses should have an internal comms plan

even if you’re just one man/woman team, it’s always a good idea to make sure everyone knows what they should be doing and why. Internal communications can make or break your business – if your employees don’t know how to do their jobs, your company will not succeed. An internal comms plan ensures that everyone knows exactly what their role is in making your company a success.

What can you do as an employer?

Employers can improve internal communications by providing opportunities for employees to build trust and camaraderie. These may take various forms, but getting everyone together for face-to-face meetings is one of the most efficient ways to do so. Company events, retreats, picnics and parties can all help boost employee morale – and that positive attitude will translate into increased productivity in many cases.

What should your internal comms look like?

While external communications are often important and interesting, they are also meant to inform and educate outside parties. Internal communications, on the other hand, should be more personal, accessible and applicable to your employees as well as keep them informed about what is going on in their organization. Here’s some more information on internal comms!

Update staff on what’s going on in the business

There are many ways to keep in touch with staff; you can use any number of techniques—e-mail, newsletters, etc.—but you need to make sure that everyone knows what’s going on. If your employees don’t know what’s happening, they won’t be able to participate. And when they’re not involved, it’s likely that they’ll feel alienated from their team and your company as a whole.

Make staff feel connected with each other

Employees need to have a sense of belonging in their workplace, and many companies are now turning to social software applications like Yammer, Rypple and iDoneThis for internal communications. As companies grow, it’s important that employees not only feel valued but also feel connected with one another. Connecting staff through communications is an excellent way to make them feel part of a larger team.

Communicate with employees in different ways

You may believe that you have your communication skills down to a tee when it comes to handling clients, but there are ways you can improve on how you speak with internal stakeholders as well. For example, if an employee is requesting an increase in their budget for external-facing projects, meet with them to discuss their requests instead of simply telling them no via email. This will allow them to better understand why their request wasn’t approved and make future requests easier for everyone involved.

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