Yesterday our blog focussed on some essential tools senior manager should be aware of to improve internal communications. After posting it occurred to us that some still might not understand the theory of why internal communications is so important for businesses.
In the past we have offered statistical evidence as to why internal communications can make or break your brand. But this doesn’t exactly explain what staff think about the messages they receive, and what they want from those messages.
Put simply, good internal communications is vital to make sure everyone is on the same page. But this doesn’t always mean an end to looking at things from a management perspective of management. And that’s exactly where many organisations are going wrong.
The purpose of fine-tuning internal communications processes boils down to driving understanding among all employees in the office. Only when that happens can a company achieve its goals. In order to succeed, then, it’s vital to dig a little deeper, and consider the lie of the land from the ground up.
Not quite sure what we mean by that? No problems, read on and things should become clearer.
8 things to remember about how your staff think of internal communications
*Many employees are overwhelmed with company information, advisory and guidance packs, and processes. Often, though, there is a lack of clarity within these and the link between information and company purpose is not clear.
*No matter how many messages you send out, if you can’t be sure they are actually reaching the people doing the work all that effort is redundant. Here are some great ways to spread the company voice internally.
*For staff, particularly in the millennial generation, understanding where the organisation is going, and why, is crucial for them to grasp the expectations you have of them.
*Under no circumstances should internal communications be a one-way street. The idea only works when there is genuine dialogue and staff feel heard.
*Although we have advocated the use of technology in internal communications, if the old model didn’t work bringing in new systems is useless because the model will still be old.
*Making employees see that management cares is the first step towards employees caring about what management actually knows.
*Brand authenticity is everything. Staff are happier when they feel the company is honest and real. Successful branding begins in the workplace itself.
*In the event of a brand crisis, the only thing that holds a team together is strong internal communications. Without that threads fray and things fall apart.