Companies that don’t prioritize communication are not likely to succeed. Can you imagine creating a comprehensive and thorough plan or a process, yet there’s been a change of plans, and no one told you about it!? It’s a frustrating, yet common process that causes misinformation, information loss, and misunderstanding. That’s why having a structured internal communication strategy is vital for every business, no matter the size.
A lot of companies focus on how they look on the outside, without worrying about their internal image. Internal image is as important, if not more because it reflects how you treat your employees. So, developing an integral and thorough internal communication strategy is crucial. How can you do so?
1. Rethink your current strategy
Every company certainly has a way of communicating already. The only question is if that type of communication is working for you! As internal communication dictates how your organization breathes, you need to assess your current strategy and figure out how to create a better one.
To create a good strategy, you need to develop a plan. For that plan, you’ll need to answer a couple of questions that include assessing the pros and cons of your current strategy and the team behind it. Maybe you’ll need to educate your team or create a better organization within it. All of these aspects should be considered in the beginning.
2. What do you want to achieve
No matter the type of strategy you’re creating, you always have to have a goal in mind. If your plan is to implement a new strategy, you can’t expect to transform your employees and their experience overnight. So, set goals you want to achieve with that new strategy.
When planning a new strategy, it’s always a good idea to consider your employees’ opinions. What do they think needs to be approved and why? On top of that, you mustn’t neglect the way of setting goals. Use smart principles to make the goals realistic and time-bound.
3. Measure the progress
You’ve surely measured productivity, motivation, or effectiveness before. By doing so, you’re gaining insight into data that can shape and transform your entire plan and next move! Just like company culture has an effect on productivity, a new strategy will change some aspects of your business, and you need to measure them. So, how can you identify the key metrics you’ll use when measuring the progress of internal communication?
One example of internal communication strategy metrics is employee engagement. You can measure how engaged each employee was with each channel and direct your strategy according to that. On top of that, don’t neglect to measure and compare the number of issues that appeared during projects before and after the new strategy. If the number is minimizing and your teams are more satisfied, you’re on the right track!
4. Utilize proper tools
When building a strategy, you need to implement certain tools in the process, especially if you’re operating remotely. Luckily, the internet can offer a wide range of tools that are suitable for business communication. But beware, some tools are better than others regarding speed, price, and safety! So, how can you choose the best one?
Consider competitors of Workplace by Facebook as they are safer and more convenient means of conveying messages and exchanging information for businesses. Besides that, such platforms are easier to use and simpler to integrate into the workflow without interrupting it. Lastly, you’re getting a better value for your money, which certainly plays a huge role when deciding.
5. Ensure everyone stays informed
The main purpose of having an internal communication strategy is to keep every single employee informed about the happenings at the company. In case you have people who can’t use tools and apps for whatever reason or a production plant where the use of mobile phones is forbidden, you need to find a way for information to reach everyone.
Implement notice boards across the company, and train employees in manager positions how to convey messages and keep their teams informed. This is especially important in larger organizations. On top of that, consider creating a newsletter where you’ll update all employees on local news and happenings.
6. Encourage feedback culture
Communication is a two-way process. You can spread it out to everyone, but you can’t remain oblivious of their responses and requests. That’s why encouraging a feedback culture is of utmost importance in companies. How can you do so and why haven’t you done it earlier?
A lot of employees are afraid to speak up and give feedback to their superiors. It’s up to you to encourage such behavior by seeking frequent feedback and providing it to your employees. Feedback is an important piece of information that will help you structure your strategy and aim it in the right direction.
Final thoughts
What’s considered to be a good internal communication strategy varies from one organization to another. What works for you might not work for someone else. That’s why it’s extremely important to follow these steps and listen to your employees and their feedback when creating an internal communication strategy.
