Why Good Internal Communications Matter for Your Business

Whether you’re a world-wide company, such as Microsoft, or a smaller company that works in local markets, communication is imperative. While oftentimes we think of communication as an external factor – i.e. product releases, talking to the media, using social media, etc. – internal communications are just as important as external. In fact, companies run on internal communications, and strong internal communications make good companies great!

If your manager didn’t communicate plans with the full team, how would you know which person oversees what? But this is just surface level. Let’s take a deeper dive into the importance of internal communication strategies.

Why Internal Communications?

There are a variety of benefits that come from having good organizational communications, beyond those previously stated. Consider the following:

• Productivity: Are you giving positive affirmation to your employees? Managers that do this may see an increase in employee activity, as the employees feel valued.
• Culture: Internal communication can aid in the creation of a strong, optimistic company culture. This should be promoted from the top down and can result in employees feeling like they belong.
• Internal Branding: What does your company believe in? What are its goals? It’s imperative that these are communicated throughout the company to better promote the company from within. Maybe this is more about mission than branding?
• Staying Up to Date: Employees need to know what’s going on. Whether someone is moving positions, a project has been put on hold, or someone is out for vacation, it is imperative that everyone is in the know to keep projects running smoothly. When employees are kept in the loop, they will feel more like they belong.

If you are not doing these, consider creating a list of reasons why you don’t already do them. Then, figure out a way to change that. You are likely to see improvement within your company.

How to Improve Your Internal Communications

To get into the nitty gritty – internal communications is simply the sharing of information among teams, departments, and employees within the company. This could include anything from delegations, meetings, Q&A sessions, and even newsletters. However, if you are still suffering from in-complete or failed communication, you should re-assess your current approach.

Consider creating an anonymous survey for the team members within the workplace, thus allowing them to provide feedback on all matters of communication without fear of repercussion. Once the answers are reviewed, use this information to form an internal communications strategy. Designate team members to specific roles and duties to create accountability, form protocols for communication, and put together an action plane. And don’t forget to share your news regularly with your team! Designated time for meetings is one option to do this.

Another option is creating an internal newsletter. Highlight weekly happenings, showcase active employees, any charity actions, share some inspiration and motivation.

Engaging your Team

Ultimately, internal comes down to one simple action: engagement. The more engaged you are with your employees, the more engaged they will be with your company and their role within it. Use your communications team to connect, inspire, and inform your team members – share details of mergers and acquisitions, drive organizational success, and more! – to be a part of the community you are creating in your business, and drive them to succeed.