By Fard Johnmar
Don’t be fooled by the title of this article. There is nothing mystical about achieving
internal communications nirvana. What it does require is a clear understanding of
how to successfully commune with the three spheres of internal communications.
The First Sphere: Your Employees
All organizations -- large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit -- need to
communicate consistently to their employees. Unfortunately, some organizations
either neglect or mishandle this important task.
Successful organizations engage in regular communication to their employees.
They recognize that successful and engaged employees have a clear understanding
of the organization’s values, objectives and milestones. In addition, employees that
understand where an organization is going are in a better position to help it get
there.
The Second Sphere: Your External Stakeholders
External stakeholders like investors, industry experts and others are also critical to
your internal communications effort. This is because employees pay close attention
to what these stakeholders are saying about your organization. Any disconnect
between what is being communicated internally and what outside observers are
saying is a problem. At best, your employees may think they are misinformed. At
worst they may question the veracity of the organization’s leadership.
A rule of thumb: Always ensure that your communications to stakeholders about
the organization are consistent with what is being said internally.
The Third Sphere: Your Customers
Your customers can have a tremendous impact on your internal communications
effort. Their opinion on the value of your organization’s products and services can
positively or negatively affect employees’ perceptions.
Organizations should pay close attention to what messages customers are
communicating to employees. If inaccurate perceptions exist, the organization
should work to correct them. Doing so will ensure that employees feel good about
the product or service they are delivering and that customers have appropriate
expectations.
Successful internal communications requires that organizations pay close attention
to what is being communicated to employees, stakeholders and customers. Be sure
that the messages your organization delivers to all three spheres are cogent,
credible and complementary.
Don’t be fooled by the title of this article. There is nothing mystical about achieving
internal communications nirvana. What it does require is a clear understanding of
how to successfully commune with the three spheres of internal communications.
The First Sphere: Your Employees
All organizations -- large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit -- need to
communicate consistently to their employees. Unfortunately, some organizations
either neglect or mishandle this important task.
Successful organizations engage in regular communication to their employees.
They recognize that successful and engaged employees have a clear understanding
of the organization’s values, objectives and milestones. In addition, employees that
understand where an organization is going are in a better position to help it get
there.
The Second Sphere: Your External Stakeholders
External stakeholders like investors, industry experts and others are also critical to
your internal communications effort. This is because employees pay close attention
to what these stakeholders are saying about your organization. Any disconnect
between what is being communicated internally and what outside observers are
saying is a problem. At best, your employees may think they are misinformed. At
worst they may question the veracity of the organization’s leadership.
A rule of thumb: Always ensure that your communications to stakeholders about
the organization are consistent with what is being said internally.
The Third Sphere: Your Customers
Your customers can have a tremendous impact on your internal communications
effort. Their opinion on the value of your organization’s products and services can
positively or negatively affect employees’ perceptions.
Organizations should pay close attention to what messages customers are
communicating to employees. If inaccurate perceptions exist, the organization
should work to correct them. Doing so will ensure that employees feel good about
the product or service they are delivering and that customers have appropriate
expectations.
Successful internal communications requires that organizations pay close attention
to what is being communicated to employees, stakeholders and customers. Be sure
that the messages your organization delivers to all three spheres are cogent,
credible and complementary.
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