Internal communication is essential for any organization that wants to be successful. Internal communication contributes to better cooperation between employees and departments. It prevents misunderstandings and frustrations.
In this article we take a closer look at the different types of internal communication resources that communication professionals can use in the resource mix.
What is internal communication?
Internal communication includes all actions that organizations use internally for employees and other internal stakeholders. Consider, for example, franchisees or other locations that also fall under internal target groups. Internal communication ensures a powerful connection and higher involvement within an organization.
When do you use internal communication?
You mainly use internal communication tools to convey a message or to exchange information. In internal communication there is a sender or group of senders and a receiver or group of receivers. There are 5 main goals for using internal communication:
- Provide information
- Motivate
- Offer support
- Bring about change
- To evaluate
Internal communication is important to achieve these goals. You do not only use internal communication for major changes, such as a reorganization or change in work processes. Daily, weekly or monthly communication within the organization is also important to maintain high levels of involvement and motivation.
What are the benefits of internal communication?
- The reduction of mutual frustrations and misunderstandings between employees.
- Sharing knowledge and information between different departments.
- The lower costs and time savings through more efficient collaboration.
- Buy smarter, through better coordination between departments.
- Creating a closer corporate culture.
Internal communication is therefore very important for an organization and can be improved in a large number of different ways.
Examples of internal communication tools
Below you will find a number of examples of internal communication tools that are regularly used by organizations to achieve their internal communication goals.
- Informal meeting: an informal meeting where employees and managers come together to discuss the state of affairs within the company.
- Bila (or bilateral consultation): a regularly recurring consultation between two parties, for example a manager and an employee.
- Emails
- Feedback meeting: a meeting where feedback on a specific topic is central.
- An informal conversation in the corridors (for example at the coffee maker)
- Internal newsletter: a newsletter that is only intended for employees of an organization.
- Intranet: an internal network that is only accessible to employees of an organization.
- An 'employee app': an app that has been specially developed for company employees.
- Narrowcasting (screen communication): broadcasting information on screens within a company.
- Staff magazine: a magazine or newspaper that has been specially created for employees within a company.
- Personal interview
- Internal memos: short written communications.
- Meetings
- Internal video message: a video that is only intended for employees of a company.
- Company outings
- Employment contract and conditions
How do you improve internal communication?
Below we provide 8 tips to improve internal communication:
1. Create a communication plan
Good communication always starts with a good plan. Be sure to use the input of your employees, so that you know where the weaknesses and blind spots are. And in which areas improvement is desirable.
2. Put the employees in the spotlight
Let employees have their say and give them the space to share their ideas.
3. Organize team challenges
For example, a competition can be held between different teams to promote mutual cooperation.
4. Connecting different teams within a company
Encourage collaboration between different teams by, for example, organizing a joint lunch.
5. Tell what is going on and why
It is very important that employees know what is going on within a company and why certain decisions are made.
6. Provide feedback on a frequent basis
Regularly ask employees for feedback on how internal communication is experienced and what opportunities for improvement there are.
7. Provide variety in resources
One person is text-oriented, another absorbs information better through the eyes and ears. So don't just use textual communication, but also alternate with video. This is an original way to convey information and helps to keep employees' attention.
8. Appoint someone responsible
Appoint an employee who is responsible for internal communication and who ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Conclusion
Internal communication is a very important part of any organization and contributes to success in many different ways. It improves collaboration between employees and departments, reduces frustration and misunderstandings and creates a powerful and closer corporate culture.
Need help with your internal communications strategy?
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