The comms blog

How to identify your key messages

Key messages can be tricky to get right. This is especially true if you are close to the subject matter and know all the ins and outs by heart. Or if you are producing communications for a project manager who wants to cover all bases. But it is vital for effective communication that you find … Read more

The importance of links

Earlier today I was in my local supermarket, trying to decide which of the 3 fantastic charities I should give my green token to, when I suddenly remembered a recent conversation with a friend who was looking for an organisation to support her through a difficult emotional time. One of the charities I was reading … Read more

What’s the point? Make your comms worthwhile

I regularly have conversations with potential new clients who are struggling to find the time to communicate effectively. They usually have a small team with limited comms experience and they need someone to help them get their messages out effectively. Although I haven’t yet found a way to manufacture more time (that would be a … Read more

It’s all in the timing

There are many areas of life where timing is all important. Communication is one of them. This is something that anyone who has ever had to talk to their boss about a difficult project knows very well. Or if you’ve had to persuade a 2-year-old to put their socks on! Cycles of work Working in … Read more

Identifying communication training needs

At this time of year many of us get that ‘back to school’ feeling and turn our thoughts to what we want from the coming year. This often includes the new skills we will need to develop. When it comes to communication skills, I recommend considering what you hope to achieve and how strategic or … Read more

Carrying out an internal comms audit

Over the summer I am sharing examples of some of the projects I’ve been involved with over the years. I love the variety of clients I am lucky enough to work with and the ways in which I can help them communicate better in order to achieve their objectives. If you are taking the summer … Read more

Developing a strategic approach to diversity communications

Over the summer I am sharing examples of some of the projects I’ve been involved with over the years. I love the variety of clients I am lucky enough to work with and the ways in which I can help them communicate better in order to achieve their objectives. If you are taking the summer … Read more

4 tips for summer communication

The summer can be a funny time for organisational communication in most workplaces. At any given time, many colleagues will be away on holiday and those who are in the office may find themselves covering more work than usual. For some teams, such as the admissions teams at universities for example, the summer is the … Read more

Guest blog: What to do when leaders don’t listen

This month, internal communications consultant, Martin Flegg, shares his advice for getting your voice heard by the leaders in your organisation. If you like what he has to say, you might also like to join him and many other internal communicators at the ‘Changing the Conversation’ conference – details at the end of his piece. … Read more