10 No-Cost Actions Any Organization Can Take to Improve Internal Communication
Not having a budget shouldn’t be a deterrent to having effective internal communication (IC). Here’s what any organization can do with limited spend.
Establish the purpose of IC—A simple, succinct purpose statement like this, “Our purpose is to strategically ensure timely, targeted, and effective communication that inspires, engages, and informs within the organization,” quickly focuses your function.
Determine why the organization thinks they need IC—Do employees lack a sense of purpose that IC is expected to help solve? Is the organization entering a period of change that will require a new focus on communication? Understanding the “why” will help focus in on the “what next.”
Recognize that IC is more than tactics—Yes, the IC team may be the one hitting “send” on a companywide email but before they do, there’s a strategic process that informs the who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Create a value proposition—That could look something like this: “Our team drives Motivation & Engagement by connecting employees to the company’s vision, resulting in elevated client service. We foster a Collaborative Partnership that unites cross-functional support for a cohesive approach to tackling challenges. With Knowledge Sharing, we promote continuous learning through success stories and best practices. By ensuring Elevated Efficiency via clear communication, we align teams, driving strategic objectives to fruition.”
Lead IC conversations with a strategic mindset—Moving IC from order taker to strategic partner starts with one simple question: “What are your objectives for this?” This question shifts an IC request from one that zeroes in on the execution to one that focuses on the bigger picture.
Establish a service model for IC—A service model establishes boundaries and guidelines for working with IC. It solves the mystery of what IC does and doesn’t do. Stick to it for consistency and the strategic approach we strive for.
Educate the organization—Action speaks louder than words. By empowering the entire organization with a clear understanding of IC’s purpose, value-adds, and strategic approach, effective IC can flourish.
Measure IC’s effectiveness—Saying, “We sent an email, therefore we successfully communicated” is a myth that needs to be busted. Clear metrics and data, like open rates, read rates, and engaged users, tell a more concrete story of what’s working and what isn’t.
Look at the big picture—While IC professionals need to keep the lights on every day, they also need to be looking ahead at the near and next goals that will elevate the function even further. Don’t miss that forest by only seeing the trees.
Recognize real vs. fake fires—“Fire drill” is corporate jargon for unplanned, unexpected, high-intensity situations that interrupt your daily routine. There are two categories of IC fire drills—one for real fires and one for fake fires. Real fires are circumstances that are challenging (perhaps impossible) to anticipate. Fake fires result from lack of education or poor planning.
For a deeper dive into achieving IC success, explore my new book “Me, Myself, and IC,” now available in paperback and eBook—an essential resource for building internal communication as a team of one.
