Communicating is one thing, but knowing how to communicate effectively is another. It's not enough to have good external communication strategies; internal communication is just as essential.
There are multiple channels for internal communication at work, and the benefits are numerous. Adopting an effective strategy encourages productivity, engagement, and team cohesion, contributing to achieving organizational goals. Internal communication conveys the company's values while promoting a positive brand image, a dynamic work environment, and a healthy collective identity.
Whether a small or large business, every organization needs a communication plan that is well-adapted to its reality. How can you optimize internal communication strategies and make them effective?
What is Internal Communication?
As the basis of any solid and coherent corporate culture, internal communication refers to exchanging information, ideas, and messages within a workplace. Also known as organizational communication, it operates through actions, strategies, and tools aimed at clearly transmitting information.
It encompasses all forms of communication directed at individuals within an organization: staff, managers, executives, people working in different departments and services, and collaborators.
Internal communication strategies must identify the company's objectives, the message type, the targeted audience, and the techniques to be applied.
The Benefits of Good Internal Communication
Essential for promoting transparency at work, internal communication is much more than just a transmission belt. Its effective implementation results in various positive outcomes for the company.
When being used as a reference point, clear communication increases team performance by helping them better understand the company's issues, mission, and values. It fosters collaboration and better understanding between colleagues and different departments.
It strengthens team engagement by giving meaning to their work. It also boosts well-being, trust, and talent retention. The more employees feel involved, the more they identify with the company and feel valued and united.
Finally, well-crafted internal communication allows smoother project execution and greater ability to overcome challenges.
How to Find Strategies for Effective Communication
Improvisation has no place in communication, whether external or internal. For strategies to work, they must be planned. Internally, this means communication must align with the organization's vision. We invite you to read a previous article explaining the importance of linking the internal communication plan to governance.
By adopting good internal communication practices, it becomes easier to communicate effectively with staff.
Be attentive, lead by example, and encourage dialogue. Employers should promote participation, idea exchange, and suggestions. Ideally, go for a collaborative and cross-functional strategy that facilitates feedback, regardless of the level.
Like any management process, start with an analysis to determine current strengths and weaknesses in internal communication. Adopting a structured plan with clear steps and achievable, realistic objectives will be easier.
Understand who you are speaking to, meaning knowing the specifics of your internal audience to tailor messages, tone, frequency, and channels used. You'll then be able to identify your team's communication preferences and choose solutions that meet your company's or a specific project's needs.
Once tools and interfaces are selected, ensure they are intuitive and user-friendly, and everyone can access the same training to use them properly.
Depending on the type of announcement to be made, choose opportune moments. Information shared late on a Friday might go unnoticed!
Don't focus mainly on sharing directives or news with a negative connotation. Positive results, team achievements, and exciting updates have a more engaging effect.
And remember, your strategy can be adjusted as needed.
What Are Effective Tools?
The effectiveness and relevance of tools vary depending on various factors: the type and size of the organization, the specifics of a project or team, the needs of staff and managers, the number of people targeted, the amount of information to be shared, the nature or urgency of the message, etc.
Many companies use an intranet. This tool simplifies internal communication by centralizing and homogenizing information, processes, documents, and announcements. It can sometimes include a social network to connect staff members.
Collaborative tools and project management software optimize the transmission of information and recent news. They allow for task tracking and project progress updates from concerned parties.
Instant messaging, appreciated for its speed, reduces emails, movements, and calls. It goes straight to the point.
On the other hand, emails allow for sending larger quantities of information or more formal messages that typically don't require an immediate response.
Among other written tools, reference documents are helpful for globally disseminating company guidelines (e.g., employee handbooks, internal policies, codes of ethics, etc.).
Internal memos and newsletters produced weekly, monthly, or seasonal are preferred methods for circulating relevant, non-urgent information. Some companies share a message from the president via video, making communication more personal.
Knowing your team's opinion is crucial. Feedback tools like internal surveys and suggestion boxes encourage two-way communication and help gauge team sentiment.
In everyday life and work, visual content grabs attention. That's why visual and video tools often have a more attractive dimension.
In an organizational context, videoconferences, virtual meetings, and webinars, which have a more friendly and direct nature, are effective.
Another way to spark interest? Physical or digital displays! Think of physical bulletin boards in workplaces or their interactive counterpart on the intranet.
The human factor remains a crucial element for clear and effective communication. Meetings, presentations, discussion groups, and individual meetings encourage staff exchange, involvement, and a sense of belonging. Moreover, face-to-face discussions reduce misunderstandings.
Parallel to this, fun and team-building activities have a unifying effect, even online, with participation in a quiz, a rally, or a contest.
Some companies have even created an internal podcast to circulate information authentically and relaxedly.
Each tool has specific features: choosing the ones that best meet your needs is up to you.
Due to its decisive role and centrality to corporate culture, internal communication is indispensable. It improves well-being, cohesion, and team satisfaction while contributing to achieving objectives.
Does your company have a strategic vision for internal communication? Do you know which tools would be most effective for your needs? Consult Capital-Image specialists, who can propose strategies tailored to your reality.