In 2020 it’s time to implement new tactics that can improve your internal communications strategy and get your team connected, engaged and motivated. The 18 internal communications best practices below will help you do just that.
1. Envision, strategize & plan communications
Good ideas need good strategy to realize their potential.
Reid Hoffman, Founder, LinkedIn
What do you want internal communications to do for your team and your company? How will you get there? Where does it stand right now, and what needs improvement? How soon would you like to reach your goals?
Before anything else, use your answers to these types of questions to create an internal communications strategy and/or plan. How you lay it out is up to you – make it as simple or elaborate, general or specific as you’d like. A well-formulated strategy should keep you on track and make you more efficient in reaching internal communications success. At the very least, it will give you an idea of where to start.
2. Use the right communication tools
I’m a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other.
– Bill Gates
Your team is busy, so the last thing they need is an internal communications system that’s bothersome and full of friction. Fortunately, the rising focus on internal communications best practices has brought numerous software programs that make it simple and painless. Keep it that way to ensure your employees participate and actually enjoy it.
Tools that foster internal communications best practices include:
- Implementing company chat software like Slack, Microsoft Teams or Google Hangouts
- Using cloud technology such as Google Drive whenever possible
- Using one platform for all your email, calendars, documents, etc. (e.g. Google, Apple, Microsoft)
- Avoiding email overload with visual communications through digital signage
3. Be visual
Visuals express ideas in a snackable manner.
Kim Garst, CEO, Boom Social
A commonly cited statistic says 65% of the population are visual learners, so chances are there are many of them in your workplace. When done right, visuals convey information in an easy-to-digest manner and have a more lasting impression than text. Instead of printing posters, we recommend going digital: Mount TVs in your offices and use them to display a rotating selection of visual messaging.
Consider using purpose-built cloud-based digital signage software – like Enplug – to display visuals in your office. These screens can serve a range of purposes, such as:
- Informing your team of company announcements, job openings, sales and marketing metrics or non-company specific information like breaking news and the weather
- Inspiring your team by displaying goals, accomplishments or motivational quotes
- Entertaining your team with social media feeds, live hashtag walls or team photos
4. Make communications entertaining
Fun is at the core of the way I like to do business, and it has been key to everything I’ve done from the outset.
Richard Branson
Gone is the notion that it’s called “work” for a reason and it’s not supposed to be fun. In fact, a 2013 survey by PGi found that 88% of millennials want to work in a “fun and social work environment.” Likewise, 90% of Generation-Z value workplaces that offer opportunities for human connection. Work can be fun but also productive, and that includes internal communications.
For instance, Enplug has a channel in Slack titled “random” where team members can share wacky news stories, funny YouTube videos and anything else they find amusing. It’s a fun way for workers to blow off steam while building a sense of camaraderie.
5. Include metrics whenever possible
Anything that is measured and watched, improves.
Bob Parsons, Founder, GoDaddy
Being able to quantify and see how the company is performing can do wonders for your team’s work ethic. Metrics should inform employees of the company’s current and past performance, trends in performance, goals to reach, and progress made. You can use digital signage to display metrics throughout your office. Motivate your team on different levels by showing metrics for the company, departments or even individuals.
Read more at https://blog.enplug.com/internal-communications-best-practices
