7 Simple Ways to Improve Internal Communication
Internal communication is the process of exchanging information between members of a group or organization. It is one of the most important functions in an organization.
Good internal communication can lead to better productivity and improved employee satisfaction.
1. Hold A Group Call To Clarify Issues
We use various forms of product management software, email, and other forms of digital communication. My rule in the company is if that digital request leads to more than three responses, everyone has to take five minutes to hop onto a call so that the owner of the request can be clear and the team accountable. It can be easy to miss, delay or answer emails with questions, which helps no one in the organization.
2. Treat Your Employees Like An Audience
Are your staff not reading your memos? Do they forget the point of your emails? Are they not changing an undesirable behavior? Start crafting content for them as you would for a client’s audience. Engage them with a story. Reinforce a lesson with customer testimonials. Deliver smaller bits of information over time through different channels. Use humor, riddles, emotion, and thoughtfulness.
3. Reward and Recognize
If you allow hard work to go unnoticed, you may find your employees stop delivering to the same level. There is also the knock-on effect to consider. When staff witness a colleague receiving rewards or appreciation, it has two consequences. Firstly, they feel motivated to seek out praise for themselves. And secondly, they view the organization in a more positive light, viewing the company culture as supportive and encouraging.
4. Listen and Act
When staff initiatives and suggestions are followed through and made into company policy, this is something you need to publicize widely. This will promote a company ethos of innovation and continuous improvement. Moreover, it encourages employees to continue contributing to the overall success of your business.
5. Repeat Yourself, As Needed
Every business can improve its internal communications. To do that, more opportunities need to be created for two-way communication, such as “state of the company” meetings, and bosses need to repeat what they’ve already said more often. Every boss believes that if they say something once, then the employees heard, understood, and will remember it. You need to consistently say it if it really matters.
6. Stick to a Schedule
When your internal communications become erratic and unpredictable, you will find engagement levels tend to plummet. Employees will soon feel forgotten if a previously regular communication channel is no longer populated with new information. This is especially true for remote workers, who rely on regular updates to keep connected to their work.
7. Prepare for a Crisis
Now we have a chance to put some planning in place. There is always something unexpected lurking around the corner, whether it’s economic uncertainty, new competitors on the scene, or (hopefully not) another worldwide crisis. It’s time to put clear remote-working policies in place, run training sessions on new software platforms, and ensure your team is ready to go!