Internal Communications Best Practices: 10 Strategies for the Year Ahead

Internal communications are a critical, but often overlooked component of how companies manage a two-way flow of information. Just like a machine has gears that need oil to run smoothly, relevant information spread effectively within an organization can ensure that all the different departments, and their corresponding communication tools, move together efficiently, and in harmony.

But for an internal communications department, knowing how to ensure that critical information gets to the right people at the right time isn’t always easy—especially now that modes of digital employee communication are changing, and more traditional channels like email and intranets are falling by the wayside, with social media and mobile devices filling in the gap.

In this article, we’ll share our latest tips and internal communications best practices, for optimizing your internal comms strategy in this new, digital, and very social age.

#1: Prioritize Clear and Targeted Communication

It’s undeniable: in today’s fast-paced work environments, employees need concise and clear messaging through internal communications, or the core elements won’t get through. Having to avoid communication overload is a common issue, so targeting the right message to the right audience with personalized communications is key. Employees increasingly expect relevant information, and when internal comms are pertinent to each worker’s role, engagement and retention skyrocket. Which are things every internal communications committee wants.

#2: Promote Two-Way Communication

Empower employees to voice their opinions, share content, and engage with leadership through bottom-up internal communications. Employees have a voice, and they want their voice to be heard. They will respond better when they feel that their opinions are taken into account, and oftentimes, their employee feedback can provide critical insights that leadership needs to make smart policy decisions. Internal communication, after all, is a two-way street. And employing internal communications best practices means taking this reciprocal nature into consideration. 

#3: Embrace Mobile-First Solutions for Deskless Workers

Frontline and remote workers often lack access to traditional intranet systems. They frequently don’t sit at a desk, have their own laptop, or use a standard corporate email. However, a mobile-first internal communications solution ensures everyone, including those without corporate email addresses, is kept in the loop and has the same level of access and responsiveness as office employees. They need to be able to receive important internal communication updates and even create content, just like their counterparts sitting in HQ.

#4: Boost Employee Engagement with Multi-Channel Solutions

Now, for one of the most important internal communications best practices: reaching employees across multiple platforms is crucial for consistent messaging. From emails and newsletters to mobile apps and digital signage, a multi-channel internal communication strategy helps achieve higher engagement. It’s all about multiple touchpoints, so workers can be reached by the internal comms team no matter where they are, and no matter what digital tool they’re using.

#5: Get the Most out of AI for Internal Comms

Incorporating AI into effective internal communications can greatly improve efficiency when it comes to both content creation and insights. Artificial intelligence is no longer a curiosity or a “nice to have”; to stay competitive, companies need to use it to their advantage, and make it a critical component of their internal communications strategy.

#6: Make Communication Visual and Interactive

Employees respond better to rich media such as videos, images, and infographics than plain text. Visual storytelling can make internal messages more engaging and easier to understand. We live in a content-heavy, highly produced age of information, and employees have become accustomed to polished presentations when it comes to news and updates. Make sure your content breaks through the clutter.

#7: Promote Gamification and Reward Employees

Recognition is one of the most effective motivators, when it comes to internal communications best practices. Creating opportunities for employees to be acknowledged fosters a positive workplace culture. If an employee does a task well or innovates in a way that benefits the company, it makes sense to make sure they receive the recognition they deserve. And when workers feel appreciated, they naturally become more engaged, more loyal, and more productive within their organization. And adding elements of gamification can make engagement fun and compelling, and even inspire a spirit of friendly competition.

#8: Support Global and Local Communication

Large organizations with geographically dispersed teams need to balance global messaging with local relevance. This kind of global/local communication ensures that messages stay pertinent to employees, regardless of their location, and that they’re not overwhelmed with local updates from other offices or regions that simply don’t concern them. Full admin control over the channels and content that reach employees is key.

#9: Ensure Data Privacy and Security

With strict regulations like GDPR, data privacy and security must be a priority in internal communications. Companies can’t take risks when it comes to data breaches, or government fines. All security and privacy features need to be ironclad when it comes to internal communications. Confidence is key and an internal communication audit at times mandatory.

#10: Measure and Optimize Internal Communication

It’s all in the numbers. Literally. Tracking and analyzing the performance of internal communications is essential to understand what resonates with employees and what needs improvement. And admins need the internal communications tools at their disposal to measure different metrics and adjust their strategies and techniques accordingly. Decisions have to be data-driven to yield positive outcomes.

Conclusion: Use Sociabble to Perfect Your Internal Communications Strategy

Well, there you have it. By adopting these internal communications best practices and leveraging Sociabble’s capabilities, companies can improve internal communication and transform it into a powerful tool for enhancing employee engagement, driving productivity, and fostering a stronger company culture. We’ve already partnered with global industry leaders to optimize their internal communications, including companies like Coca-Cola CCEP, L’Occitane en Provence, and Primark, and we’d love to help your organization do the same. Just sign up below for a free personalized demo.