How can you stay up-to-date on internal communication trends?

It is important to network with peers from different industries to learn best practices and the work they are doing. Attend relevant industry events and follow forums that share case studies, organize seminars and talk. Most importantly understand the pulse of your internal stakeholders and be creative and innovative in the way you engage. The communications always need to be two-way and be open to getting ideas from internal stakeholders.

In my opinion, setting up a monthly lunch-and-learn meeting where your team can brainstorm on internal communications trends, can play a tremendous role in this regard. Also, whenever possible, invite subject-matter experts to join these discussions. Finally, as you keep your team up-to-date and engaged, remember to measure internal communications worthy of your stakeholders’s time so that they will also be updated.

To stay updated on internal communication trends, read articles and blogs, join webinars, and follow experts in the field on social media. Be a part of professional groups and networks where people share the latest news and ideas. Attend workshops or conferences if possible. Also, ask for feedback from your team and colleagues to learn what works and what can be improved in your own company's communication.

I believe it's crucial to attend conferences and network to stay updated on internal communication trends. Attending these events can help you discover new ideas and learn about best practices in your field. Personally, I always feel inspired after attending conferences and can't wait to implement what I've learned.

In my experience, survey and audits are the best way to gauge how we reach your audience internally and externally. In this new technological age, there is a way to reach everyone and that is not solely counting on one social media platform. Cross posting throughout various platforms will give a maximum reach and accuracy in the surveys being conducted.

Experimentation without strategy is irresponsible. That's not to say that experimentation isn't important - it is. However, have a concrete business purpose behind what you are trying to achieve, how you will measure results, how you'll staff/resource, and when you'll make a decision on whether you progress with the experiment and make it bigger. Don't simply experiment because you want to try something new. It's not being a good business area leader or responsible advocate of our industry.

Experimentation can lead to many new and exciting ways to keep employees engaged. One thing to keep in mind is ensuring you sustain the feedback loop. By ensuring your employees feedback is captured and needs are met, they’ll see the value in being actively engaged with your experiments. One other way to experiment is to align how you would normally plan and execute an external campaign, but do it for your internal audience. Oftentimes, teams work so hard to create magical experiences for our external customers which is fantastic, but our internal audiences would also welcome something outside the “usual” and “norm” - let’s commit to making unique one-of-a-kind experiences for our staff, this will also help to promote a strong culture.

Absolutely! It's the digital age; internal communications must embrace innovation. Traditionally, companies concentrate on a limited set of channels tailored for "the majority," i.e., desk-based employees vs. non-desk employees. Here is where innovation pays off. Don't hesitate to explore new platforms like employee engagement software and internal communication analytics tools. A data-driven approach paves the way for ongoing improvements in both efficiency and engagement. They can be invaluable in collecting and leveraging the valuable data and insights needed to drive your communication strategy forward.

Experimenting is absolutely key, but unfortunately something that busy people don't always do (or don't allow time for). The understanding that not everything is going to be Minute Rice perfect the first time you do it - if ever - is imperative to learning what works, what people respond to, and what compels people to engage in a positive way. And it's ok to say, "We're trying something new," which puts people on notice that they shouldn't just engage, but also pay attention to the "how" and the "why," to offer feedback... Feedback that will lead to the next iteration of the experiment. To sum up: Make time to experiment. It will yield results.

Agreed. Collaborating with fellow practitioners who generously share their experiences and lessons learned is like having a path cleared of obstacles. It allows us to work more efficiently and avoid stumbling over the same challenges. Sharing knowledge and collaborating with others is an essential element in crafting a well-rounded and effective internal communications strategy. Personally, I find hosting frequent "Meet & Greet" sessions with colleagues to be one of the most productive ways to forge meaningful relationships and gain valuable insights from their wealth of experience.

The best way to stay on top of the latest trends in your field is to connect with peers. Consistent, intentional networking cultivates a rich soil from which new ideas, collaborations, and career prospects can sprout. It's not merely about "connecting on LinkedIn", but about weaving a web of connections where value, insights, and support flow seamlessly. In the fast-evolving corporate communications landscape, staying connected with peers is imperative. It fuels personal growth, market understanding, business acumen, and a sense of community.

Enough With Employer Branding Activities! Create events and activation for your staff to enjoy and vent out. Do not do it to market your employer. Time to think about “Employee Branding” for a change. Listen to your colleagues. You will not just be up-to-date with internal communication trends, better yet, you will always be on top of what they really want.