internal communication – Page 3 – Geneva Communicators Network

UK government campaign for better business communication

Following the publication of the The MacLeod Review, which stated that British firms needed to improve engagement levels to improve business performance, the British Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a new campaign called: ‘People InterAction’.

The aim of the new campaign is to inspire action in employee engagement amongst employers of all types and sizes, clearly highlighting the link between effective internal communications and business success.

More about the MacLeod Review >

More about the People InterAction campaign >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| December 23rd, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Guide to Green Communications

With companies becoming increasingly keen to create and promote their green credentials, changing people’s towards sustainability and CSR is an important challenge for corporate communicators. Not sure where to start? Then help is at hand in the form of a free guide explaining ways to approach green communications, which includes a great employee engagement case study for Jaguar Land Rover.

Download Green Communications guide >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| October 24th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Key Data for Communicators in Global Survey

The latest global survey from Melcrum, Key Benchmark Data for Communicators 2009, has revealed that in the light of the recession, every area of internal communications is being re-examined. Here are some of the survey’s headlines and what they mean for IC professionals:

Budget cuts – almost half of respondents (46%) said they will be spending less on consultants in the next 12 months. External advisors will therefore need to “re-evaluate what they offer and become more focused”. For those working in-house, budget cuts will mean less opportunities to move position and engage employees on a grand scale – but will be a chance for savvy communicators to gain respect by getting creative working closely with leaders and to make a difference.

Strategy change – 47% of respondents stated that cutbacks have led to fundamental change in their communication strategy. The main focus for internal communicators today appears to be on rebuilding trust and giving employees the answers they need. This is good news as it puts IC in the limelight, but it is demanding work that often needs to be done with fewer resources. Now more than ever, IC professionals need to prove their worth to gain the resources they need.

Change in Channels – 45% of respondents predicted a reduction in print communications in the coming year, with many seeing the Internet as a more cost effective and engaging alternative, due to its ability to spread messages to the right audiences with simplicity, immediacy and transparency.

Priority skills – Most respondents indicated that over the next 12 months, the most important skills will be: ‘managing change communication’ (43.2%), ‘supporting senior leadership communication’ (37.9%), and ‘measuring the effectiveness of internal communication’ (27.6%). In terms of leadership communications, ‘coaching managers to communicate’ came out as the top priority (52.5%), closely followed by ‘strategic planning’ (51%) and ‘how to assess communication effectiveness’ (49.3%).

More about the survey and its findings >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| October 2nd, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Change communications and ownable truths

The key to effective internal communications that will support and drive positive change is a thorough understanding of your brand and your people. This demands that you uncover the ownable truths about your organisation – the genuine, inspiring and truly representative truths that define and unite your people and brand.

In a recently launched white paper, design, branding and communications consultancy Small Back Room, provide communication practitioners with the tools to do just this.

In this paper, Small Back Room explain how to uncover these ownable truths and used them to build or enhance a brand from the inside out, helping you to generate a platform for clear, direct and effective communications that will drive positive change.

The paper also looks at the relationships between brands, strategy, internal communications and change – and their impact on internal communications and includes a ‘change scenario assessment tool’ so that you can evaluate exactly where your organisation is in the change cycle and then plan your management of change from there.

Small Back Room has made the paper available for download by GCN members >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| September 26th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Employee engagement, the key to Britain’s future

A new British Government review has highlighted the importance of effective engagement to successful business performance, showing that high levels of employee engagement are inextricably linked to the successful achievement of commercial and other organisational objectives.

The MacLeod Review, commissioned by the British Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, also states that British firms need to improve engagement levels. It cites a number of impeding factors ranging from leaders not really understanding what employee engagement is or recognising its importance, to not knowing where to go for assistance, and the poor people skills of many line managers.

David MacLeod, who lead the review with Nita Clarke, said: “This is about unleashing the potential of people at work and enabling them to be the best they can be. Whether we are in a downturn or in better economic times, engagement is a key to innovation and competitiveness.”

Nita Clarke said: “By respecting the contribution employees can make and ensuring they are fully involved in developing their organisation’s future, employers can help unlock their full potential. When done well, employee engagement is a win for the organisation, a win for the individual and therefore a win for the country as a whole.”

Read more about the review’s findings >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 30th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Internal Communications – vital and growing in Latin America

We have often reported on Internal Communications (IC) in Europe and the States and it’s importance during times of crisis. So it was interesting to read a report this week that shows how IC is regarded in Argentina.

Interestingly, the study conducted by the Asociación Argentina de Comunicación Interna (Argentine Association of Internal Communication), shows that the majority of Argentine companies formally manage their Internal Communications (70% with an in-house person or team), with 84% of those responsible for Communication stating that they have their own budget and 40% of them are handling a budget which is higher than last year’s.

This fact, together with the knowledge that none of the companies survey plan to downsize their internal communication function or activities, would seem to show that the discipline is seen as an important success factor, particularly in today’s climate of change.

For more about the survey and its findings, download a copy of the research >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 14th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

World class internal communications revealed

Recent research, aimed at discovering how internal communication works in global organisations, has revealed just what global best practice looks like today.

The study, headed by HSBC and supported by brand and communication consultancy Uffindell West, looked at: the purpose of internal communications, strategy development, new and emerging trends, the use of technology, measurement and many other aspects of internal communications for a comprehensive view of what works and how the communication discipline is evolving.

Read a summary of the research findings in Melcrum’s Strategic Communications Management magazine. Download the article >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| August 6th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Communicating across cultures – the language debate

Communicating across multiple cultures is always a hot topic, particularly for those working in such a multicultural environment as Switzerland.

It was no surprise then, that when the question of communication differences between UK and US English arose last week on Melcrum’s Communication Network, it sparked a hot debate and a flood of phrases, terms, anecdotes and words of wisdom all relating to language and its correct usage.

Many of the network’s members also pointed out that it’s not just geography that can cause confusion in the workplace, stressing the ongoing need to stamp out business jargon and speak in basic terms to avoid unnecessary ambiguity in all corporate communications.

Following the popularity of this subject, you can now find a summary of the debate and its recommendations on the Melcrum Blog >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| July 16th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

Internal Newsletters and Magazines – FT article

The Financial Times recently published an article looking at internal newsletters and magazines and how they are being used within organisations during a downturn.

The conclusion is that corporate literature of this kind remains alive and well. And, while many firms are moving their newsletters online to cut costs and integrate dynamic technology into their communications, the printed magazine remains a staple for many others – helping them spread the Corporate word to disparate and remote teams.

The article also highlighted some of the current challenges for corporate communications:

Giving an honest view without being overly downbeat or optimistic
Remaining credible and relevant
Presenting information in a way that matches staff reading habits
Concentrating on real people and the extraordinary things they do

Read the full article >

Melitta

By GenevaCom| July 7th, 2009|Other resources|0 Comments

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