How can you define the role of an internal communication team?
Internal communication is the process of sharing information, ideas, and feedback within an organization. It helps to align employees with the vision, values, and goals of the business, and to foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and engagement. But how can you define the role of an internal communication team, and what are the key skills and responsibilities they need to succeed? In this article, we will explore some of the main aspects of internal communication roles and how they can add value to your organization.
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Shikha ChaudharyDigital Content Management | Corporate Communications | Content Strategy
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Marion Brandão Carion📣 Top Internal Communications Voice in LinkedIn | Marketing | Communication | Well-Being | Human Resources
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Elizabeth PattersonManager @ Deloitte | Communications Strategy, Executive Communications
The purpose of internal communication is to support the strategic objectives of the organization and to facilitate the flow of information and dialogue among employees and leaders. Internal communication helps to build a shared understanding of the mission, vision, and values of the business, and to communicate the expectations and feedback for performance and behavior. Internal communication also helps to create a sense of belonging and identity among employees, and to promote a positive and inclusive work environment.
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Shikha Chaudhary
Digital Content Management | Corporate Communications | Content Strategy
Internal Communication simply put is the bridge between the company and its employees. It can be subdivided into 2 main categories: 1. Direction & Alignment - This is the information flowing from company to employees to keep everyone aligned and updated on things like company's vision, mission, values, strategic goals, company culture, policy and procedure, crisis management, conflict resolution, and any other important updates/news that the organization wants to share with the employees. 2. Employee Engagement & Collaboration - This includes all communication related to team collaboration, feedback & input, employee development, knowledge sharing, recognition and appreciation, and everything that enables employees do their best work.
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Katherine Bowman
Internal communication is not only about informing and engaging employees, but also about influencing and empowering them to do what they need to do well, without unhelpful barriers. Some of the benefits: - Improved employee engagement and satisfaction - Enhanced collaboration and teamwork - Increased productivity and efficiency - Better decision-making and problem-solving - Stronger organisational culture and reputation - Reduced risk - Higher innovation and creativity
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Lidiya Kondova-Highfield
Communications | Management of Change | Project Coordination | Trainings | Employee Engagement | I support leaders and teams to better navigate through major changes
The main purpose of internal communications is to support the strategic course of the organisation. It helps to simplify and share the mission and values of the business with all colleagues, improving engagement along the way and setting expectations about behaviours, performance and contributions. It has a crucial role in promoting an inclusive culture for employees, creates a sense of belonging and satisfaction and improves collaboration within and across teams.
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Marina Ciaravolo
Comunicação Interna | Endomarketing | Cultura Organizacional | Engajamento | Employee Experience | Employer Branding
Internal communication has the mission of facilitating the connection between all areas and also bringing transparency of information between the company and employees, vertically. The challenge is to connect people to the company's culture in a strategic way, while also meeting the needs of the institution and its employees. I also see the Internal Communication area as having the purpose of educating and promoting development, with respect and empathy, with the help of leaders and managers.
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Christer Johansson
Enhancing corporate culture @Mirka through engaging and insightful internal communication | Word wizard & content creator |
I'm biased, but internal communications is one of the most important functions in an organization. Communicating important information, fostering corporate culture, boosting employee satiafaction... The list is almost endless.
Internal communication encompasses a variety of activities and channels, depending on the size and structure of the organization. Common tasks and functions of internal communication include developing and implementing strategies and plans, creating and managing channels and platforms, producing and editing content, measuring the effectiveness of initiatives, providing advice on best practices, engaging with employees and stakeholders, and coordinating events. Additionally, internal communication involves creating announcements, stories, reports, presentations, webinars, podcasts, videos, surveys, awards, workshops, and town halls.
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Elizabeth Patterson
Manager @ Deloitte | Communications Strategy, Executive Communications
We are the ones who amplify leader voices, who connect the dots across complex organizations, and who make both the lofty and the boring more accessible and actionable. If you have a strong internal communications team, you have a strong partner.
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Daniela Paz González Encina (She/Her)
Head of People & Culture | Sr. Manager | HR Influencer 2023 | G100 Mission Million | Business Oriented | Employee Experience | Organizational Development | DEI | Internal Comms | Employer Brand | Innovation
La clave es tener un equipo sólido de comunicaciones internas que pueda formar y guiar a los colaboradores para que se den cuenta que el rol de comunicar e informarse adecuadamente también está ligado con el protagonismo que cada uno debe tener. A qué voy con esto, el área de CI debe cumplir un rol de consultor estratégico, pero cada área debe saber detectar y definir cuando debe comunicar temas estratégicos del área y que impactan al resto de la compañía.
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Victor Audu, PMP®
| Sustainability | Communications | ESG | Strategy | Operations | Management | CSR | Social Impact | Project Management | Tech | Member, ForbesBLK'23 | HBR Advisory Council Member
Internal communication covers various aspects such as disseminating company news, promoting organizational culture, facilitating feedback mechanisms, supporting change management initiatives, and fostering employee engagement and morale.
Having strong internal communication skills is essential for delivering clear, consistent, and compelling messages to the internal audience and for building trust and credibility with stakeholders. These skills include communication, interpersonal, analytical, creative, and technical abilities. For instance, you need to have the ability to write, speak, and listen effectively and persuasively and adapt to different tones, styles, and formats. Furthermore, it's important to establish and maintain positive relationships with employees and leaders at all levels, as well as collaborate and influence across functions. Additionally, you need to be able to research, collect, interpret data, generate innovative ideas, and use various tools and technologies for internal communication.
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Matheus Barbosa
Marketing Coordinator at Würth SW Industry
Uma das principais habilidades que um profissional de Comunicação Interna deve ter é a versatilidade de poder se comunicar com diferentes públicos. Seja na construção de uma mensagem para a alta diretoria, ou um comunicado para todos os colaboradores da empresa, é importante saber a forma e o meio para atingir seu objetivo. Um trabalho constante de pesquisa, escrita, análise, e relacionamento com as diferentes áreas envolvidas tende a facilitar na construção de narrativas de sucesso.
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Victor Audu, PMP®
| Sustainability | Communications | ESG | Strategy | Operations | Management | CSR | Social Impact | Project Management | Tech | Member, ForbesBLK'23 | HBR Advisory Council Member
Effective internal communication requires skills such as clear and concise writing, active listening, empathy, strategic thinking, and the ability to tailor messages to different audiences within the organization. Additionally, proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms is increasingly important.
The internal communication team can face a variety of obstacles and difficulties that can impact the quality and outcome of their communication efforts. These challenges include a lack of resources such as time, budget, and staff; a lack of alignment between internal communication goals and organizational goals; a lack of engagement from the internal audience; and a lack of measurement to quantify the value and impact of internal communication. All of these issues can have a significant effect on the organization's performance and culture.
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Marion Brandão Carion
📣 Top Internal Communications Voice in LinkedIn | Marketing | Communication | Well-Being | Human Resources
If your CEO and Senior Managers are not committed with the importance of the internal communication area, you will probably have hard times to have a success either your projects. It’s really important to be aligned with them, with the company culture and objectives.
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Victor Audu, PMP®
| Sustainability | Communications | ESG | Strategy | Operations | Management | CSR | Social Impact | Project Management | Tech | Member, ForbesBLK'23 | HBR Advisory Council Member
Challenges include ensuring consistent messaging across diverse teams and locations, overcoming language and cultural barriers in multinational organizations, managing information overload, addressing resistance to change, and maintaining transparency during periods of uncertainty or crisis.
The benefits of internal communication are the positive outcomes and results that internal communication teams can achieve for the organization and the employees. Through their work, internal communication can increase productivity, loyalty, innovation, satisfaction, and reputation. Specifically, productivity can be improved by reducing errors and misunderstandings. Loyalty can be enhanced by reducing turnover and absenteeism. Innovation can be stimulated by developing the creativity and problem-solving skills of the employees. Satisfaction can be increased by improving morale and well-being. And reputation can be reinforced by reinforcing the brand identity and image of the organization.
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Victor Audu, PMP®
| Sustainability | Communications | ESG | Strategy | Operations | Management | CSR | Social Impact | Project Management | Tech | Member, ForbesBLK'23 | HBR Advisory Council Member
Well-executed internal communication contributes to higher employee engagement, increased productivity, enhanced collaboration, stronger organizational culture, improved employee satisfaction and retention, better alignment with company goals, and ultimately, improved organizational performance.
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Brid Doherty-Appriou
International Career Consultant •Adjunct Professor in Business Communication
Employee advocacy. If employees are happy and engaged they share their positive experiences. Future employees and clients need to be reassured about the Employer Brand.
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Victor Audu, PMP®
| Sustainability | Communications | ESG | Strategy | Operations | Management | CSR | Social Impact | Project Management | Tech | Member, ForbesBLK'23 | HBR Advisory Council Member
Collaborating closely with HR, marketing, and leadership teams to align internal communication efforts with broader organizational strategies.
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