Why do employee networks matter to communicators?
Listening to the experiences of others is an important part of any communicator’s role. Employee networks can be a great place to hear perspectives and create solutions.
employee engagement
3 key stages of an internal comms audit
Many organisations have now begun a hybrid working model. Some people are based at home, some are back in the office. Some people are working a mix of both. Effective internal communication is at the heart of employee wellbeing, motivation and understanding. As everyone gets used to these new ways of working, organisations will need … Read more
How to use walking meetings to benefit your mental health and your work
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is nature. There is increasing evidence to show how important a connection with nature is for our mental health and wellbeing. Research carried out by the Mental Health Foundation into the effects of the pandemic showed: Going for walks outside was one of our top coping … Read more
Back to square one?
With #lockdown2 about to start in England tomorrow, it’s hard not to feel that we’re right back where we started earlier this year. Personally and professionally, I’ve heard a lot of heart-sinking, sighing and here-we-go-again-ing. Many communications teams and individuals are gathering themselves and setting to work once again for their colleagues. Finding the best … Read more
Aligning communication with overall direction
2020, as we are all painfully aware, is a year like no other. Many business strategies and plans written in January have long since been abandoned or postponed. The ongoing uncertainty of where we are headed means many organisations are re-evaluating what they can realistically achieve in the short-term and what might need to change … Read more
Guest post: Communication is the real work of leadership
My guest this month, leadership comms manager Shalini Gupta, shares her top tips for being our leaders’ trusted partners and supporting them to communicate well. She also describes us as unofficial ‘key workers’. Wouldn’t it be easy if our leaders could just push a button and say the right thing in the right tone and … Read more
Your perception is your reality
One day some time ago when my daughter was much younger, we were discussing colours on the school run – to be more precise, we were discussing the colours of the autumn leaves that we kicked through on our way to the playground. Soggy weather had really highlighted the bright colours of the leaves and … Read more
Internal communication – is it a magic answer?
The last few months have given internal communicators many opportunities to demonstrate the importance of the work that they do. They have supported their organisations to rapidly change the way they work and to connect with employees in unimaginable circumstances. This is a good thing for our profession. However… It’s an interesting point that once … Read more
Tips for communication that motivates in difficult times
As lockdown continues and organisations think about how to operate in these challenging times and into the uncertain future, a central challenge for communicators is how to keep their people moving forward together. I’ve pulled together some tips for keeping your communications motivational, genuine and human during this time. If you would like to talk … Read more
Diversity and inclusion for communicators
When I saw a Diversity and Inclusion for Communicators course advertised by the Institute of Internal Communication last year, I was really pleased. I knew this was an area I wanted to know more about, so I signed up straight away. I had previously worked with the Diversity and Inclusion Deans at the University of … Read more