The essence is the same: successful internal communication (IC) means happy, effective and productive employees who contribute positively to company results; while getting it wrong can leave employees confused, unproductive, and disconnected from organizational initiatives.
Let us consider the two main factors that affect IQ. One is the effect of technological change and the other is the move towards a hybrid workforce. Both of these trends have far-reaching implications and can radically alter the workplace as we know it; but at the same time, they have the potential to make CI indispensable for achieving high levels of productivity and efficiency.
Let’s take into account that being a good internal communicator is not strictly about one-way communication or distributing content to all areas of the company. In contrast, great internal communicators also give workers a voice and engage with them at all levels.
This makes internal communicators powerful: people trust them and the information they share, and this fact puts them on the shelf, CI professionals now have power and influence as trusted advisors to managers, that is, they are influencers
Studies show that communication from employers is considered the most reliable source of information. This is a very important role as employees expect to hear from their organization the reality of what is happening in the world and how it impacts the company and them. The economy, DE&I, the economy, job security, an ongoing pandemic, security, and supply chain issues, to name just a few that affect them.
These and many other developments in recent years have resulted in CI professionals finally receiving the recognition and visibility they deserve within their organizations.
Let’s not forget that the most important target audience for an organization is its employees.
Communication moves people and people move companies. Both are essential in these times of change. Communication becomes more than a megaphone for announcements, an agent that transforms company culture, creates positive business results, and enables leaders to guide employees through uncertain times.
Analysts like Gartner recognize the importance of CI in driving organizational transformation. That’s why it’s so important for communicators to be influential and respected people to align employees and help guide the company into the future.
Today’s advances in CI technology serve to empower business leaders and communicators to drive transformation through CI insights, strategies, and solutions. Interaction is no longer measured simply by clicks and engagement, but by the ability of the communication team to influence and generate impact.
The pressure of living and working on the same roof has led many employees to feel that they need to be ‘always on’: available, forced to respond more quickly and fight more fires on a daily basis, while at the same time experiencing the essential need for meetings face to face with managers and colleagues. This is not sustainable in the long term.
We are at a pivotal moment in CI: organizations must make decisions about how they will engage their people in the next decade, and those who want to stay ahead will need to adapt quickly. Internal influencers will play a major role in this assignment.