Internal Communication Issues: The Challenges Companies Face

You know what they say: if it were easy, everybody would be doing it. And while most companies do have an internal comms program of some kind, there are many businesses that struggle to do it well. Why? Because many of the same internal communication challenges crop up again and again. At its core, internal communication addresses three fundamental aspects for companies: strategic, operational, and technological. And each plays a major role in the success of a company. In this section, we’ll focus on the strategic challenges.

Team Cohesion and Corporate Culture

It’s an undeniable fact: effective internal communications strengthen team cohesion and build a strong corporate culture. So what does this mean, exactly? Simply put, with well-orchestrated communication, the company can more easily disseminate its values and share its vision with employees. As a result, it promotes alignment with its missions and, above all, its strategic objectives.

For example, if a company values innovation, it can use internal communication to encourage initiative-taking and the sharing of ideas. Employees thus develop a stronger sense of belonging, which boosts their loyalty to the organization. This does not happen with poor internal communication.

Employee Engagement and Motivation

Since the purpose of internal communication is to inform employees, it goes without saying that proper use of your communication channels strengthens their engagement. That’s basically common sense. Sharing objectives and progress fosters their involvement and contribution to the company’s success.

Why does this matter? Because engaged employees are more motivated, invest more energy in their daily tasks, and contribute to a positive dynamic within the organization. This increase in engagement translates into higher well-being and efficiency, reduced turnover, and greater job satisfaction. And practically everyone can agree that all that is a good thing!

Productivity Improvement

But wait, there’s more! When communication is smooth, it also contributes to optimizing processes. The flow of information and updates clarifies expectations, reduces misunderstandings and errors, and improves collaboration between teams. Poor internal communication has the opposite effect. 

By enhancing employee work and collaboration, a company promotes operational efficiency, which in turn boosts its performance and competitiveness in the market. A win-win, any way you look at it. 

The Operational Challenges of Internal Communication

As seen in the previous section, trying to resolve internal communication challenges to overcome poor communication significantly impacts a company’s operational success. How? Good question. Let’s delve into the most common internal communication problems. 

Information Circulation

Efficiently distributing information is a fundamental goal in a company’s internal communication strategy, for both internal and external communication. This applies to all levels of the company. From top management to field employees, it is essential that each employee receives the necessary information to perform their tasks. Their effectiveness at work depends on it, without regard to location, level, or language barriers. 

Sociabble, for example, offers a web and mobile platform that centralizes and distributes information uniformly and in a targeted manner. It ensures that every employee, regardless of their position or location, has access to the same information as their colleagues. Targeting is crucial, as it guarantees that information remains relevant to each audience. And a built-in real-time translation feature assures that no employee is left out. 

Adaptability and Responsiveness

A new safety regulation on work sites? A new sales procedure following competitor benchmarking? A change in management? Given the constant evolution of market trends, corporate life, and operational needs, internal communication is essential for managing exactly these kinds of changes.

Sociabble’s communication platform allows the rapid dissemination of strategic information to all employees. Pinning news on the platform, using the “Must Read” feature, or broadcasting an informational video with Sociabble Enterprise Video ensures optimal responsiveness in the face of unforeseen events. Employees can adjust their work accordingly. Nobody gets lost or overwhelmed, and ineffective internal communication becomes a thing of the past. 

Crisis Management

Nobody wants a crisis. And transparent internal communication is key in preventing crises from ever taking place. However, while prevention is better than a cure, certain circumstances make it impossible to avoid a crisis. In such cases, a well-orchestrated internal communication plan enables a quick and effective response. 

For example, during a major operation like a company takeover, clear and swift internal communication can prevent the spread of rumors and maintain employee trust. This was the experience of Anne de Warren, Corporate Communications Director at Pierre Fabre Laboratories, which she shared during an exclusive interview on Masters Of Comms. You can listen to the full episode here.

The Technological Challenges of Internal Communication

Finally, the last critical aspect of internal communication lies in its ability to address technological challenges. This involves integrating all useful internal communication tools to optimize communication processes and ensure that information is accessible to employees.

Integration of Digital Tools

Communication today is not the same as 20 years ago, as each technological innovation brings new practices and needs. Intranet, collaborative platforms, and corporate social networks have become essential tools for fluid and effective communication. It is crucial to integrate all professional tools into existing communication processes, but also address the accessibility of information for employees.

By centralizing its entire IT ecosystem, the company breaks down communication silos as part of its internal communication efforts. Communication becomes less fragmented, ensuring that all employees are equally informed.

Accessibility for All Employees

Not all employees have professional IT equipment that allows them to receive communications. Therefore, internal communication must address the challenge of reaching field workers and remote employees (such as salespeople, drivers, warehouse workers, etc.). Thanks to the widespread adoption of smartphones, companies now have an unprecedented solution to reach their field and remote employees with dedicated content, wherever they are.

Why should companies care about their internal communications?

The absence or misuse of internal communication can have disastrous consequences for a company. Failing to inform sufficiently, lacking transparency and clarity, or not targeting communications properly can all pose serious problems. The risks include:

• Employee disengagement and loss of efficiency
• Increased absenteeism and turnover
• The spread of rumors and rising internal conflicts

These issues slow down overall performance, which also translates into a loss of revenue. Furthermore, they damage the company’s reputation, both internally and externally. This leads to a decline in workplace morale and reduces the company’s attractiveness to potential candidates.

On the other hand, good internal communication produces the opposite effects. Companies that invest in their communication experience:

• Increased employee satisfaction and better engagement
• Improved team performance and higher revenue
• A positive company culture and employer brand image

Key Takeaways: Overcome Your Internal Communication Challenges with Sociabble 

So what have we learned? Basically, that whether strategic, operational, or technological, addressing the challenges of internal communication is key to ensuring a company’s long-term success. These are essential levers for strengthening team cohesion, improving productivity, and effectively managing crises. Companies must therefore implement communication solutions like Sociabble to maintain employee engagement.

The Sociabble platform is designed to address all the challenges discussed in this article and more. With its many dedicated features, it strengthens companies’ internal communication strategies to improve employee engagement. We’ve already partnered with global leaders like Coca-Cola CCEP, L’Occitane en Provence, and AXA, and we would be delighted to discuss how we can help your company, too. Request your free personalized demo today and discover how Sociabble can revolutionize your internal communication. See you soon!