Internal communication is the beating heart of any organisation. Think about how difficult your job would be if you couldn't communicate with any of your colleagues.
The importance of internal communication is significant and without it businesses could not operate at all.
Some organisations neglect or do not realise the benefits of internal communication. According to studies, 60% of companies do not have a long-term internal communications strategy. They are likely to be negatively impacted by their failure to recognise its role.
In this blog we will explore internal communication from its definition to why your business needs to communicate effectively.
Quick access:
- What is Internal Communication?
- Why is Internal Communication Important?
- 5 Reasons Why Internal Communication is Important in the Workplace
- How to Improve Your Internal Communication
What is Internal Communication?
Internal communication is the function that facilitates all workplace communication between employees with the organisation and each other. This applies to anything related to dialogue or information exchange.
A broad term, it covers everything from high-level to peer-to-peer communication at work. This is why internal communication is pertinent to every organisation and every participant.
Internal communication in its true form keeps employees connected and informed. It is not only the value of your internal communication tools that matter, but also how your strategy applies to your business needs.
Why is Internal Communication Important?
Internal communication keeps people informed, engaged and is essential to so many facets of work that ultimately will impact the bottom line.
Not only do employees need the information to carry out their roles, it is also key in keeping them connected to the organisation and each other. When workers and organisations are aligned, it is most often a product of internal communication. However, if they aren't you'll get the opposite.
Effective internal communication will contribute positively to so many facets of your business. From information access, to daily stand-ups and employee appreciation, internal communication enhances the overall employee experience.
However, despite the many advantages of effective internal communication, there are specific benefits that stand out.
Here are five reasons why internal communication is important in the workplace.
5 Reasons Why Internal Communication is Important in the Workplace
Keeps Employees Informed
Effective internal communication will ensure the right information gets to the right people. This not only prevents employees from being left uninformed but also mitigates the risk of information overload.
Regular updates on company policies and news are essential for building a sense of understanding and trust.
A proper internal communication strategy allows a more targeted approach. Technology, such as that as a cloud-based intranet, can facilitate this.
Helps to Build and Sustain Company Culture
Culture should be set as an example by leadership. It is crucial that the culture an organisation aims to embody is communicated from the top.
According to a study by Robert Half, 91% of managers believe that alignment with company culture is as important as skills and experience. This highlights that integrating individuals into a company is equally about fitting into its culture as it is about anything else. However, when a company's culture is unclear, this can be a challenge.
To foster the desired culture, leadership must effectively communicate to establish familiarity with the organisation's internal branding and culture. Without effective communication, it becomes nearly impossible to cultivate the intended culture.
Creates a Happier Workforce
Having good communication channels in the business help to build work and social relationships. 70% of employees say having friends at work is the most crucial element to a happy working life.
Of course happiness extends beyond just relationships in the workplace. However, their importance should not be underestimated.
Embracing connectivity makes it far easier for workers to build friendships at work. Workplace relationships don't just increase happiness, they make for better collaboration.
You can encourage good working relationships with:
- Instant messaging- individual & group
- Community hubs
- Virtual & in-person events
- Social news feeds
Improves Productivity & Output
The McKinsey Global Institute report found that a connected workforce is between 20% and 25% more productive.
Collaboration is key to output and this can be achieved through internal communications tools on your intranet. Instant messaging tools and department hubs simplify workplace collaboration.
However, productivity isn't solely dependent on person-to-person dialogue. An employee spends an average of 19% of their day searching for information. But the accessibility of knowledge is also a key to internal communication.
By centralising documents and policies in a knowledge base, you can complement the social tools and enhance overall output. This ensures that your employees have everything they need to be productive and can access the required information without any delays.
Supports Change & Dynamism in the Workforce
The workforce has gone through a monumental shift in recent years and remote working is here to stay. 92% of people expect to have a level of remote working post-pandemic.
With the evolving demographic of the workforce, embracing technology is a necessity. By 2025 75% of the workforce will be made up of millennials or gen z, so businesses unable to adapt will not attract the best talent.
The COVID pandemic also showed how technology helps businesses adapt in times of drastic change.
An effective internal communication function will incorporate tools that engage all staff. Find technology that help you find innovative ways of collaborating, ensuring an immersive working experience for everyone.
Recommended Reading 📖: 21 Scary Internal Communications Statistics
How to Improve Your Internal Communication
In order to improve internal communication, you first need to evaluate your current strengths and weaknesses in relation to the company’s internal comms.
Think about who you need to reach with each message, how is best to reach them and when.
Once you understand these aspects, you will be able to construct a proper roadmap to an effective communications function.
Improvement isn't just a one-time exercise. You must assess workplace communication on a regular basis. Employee engagement surveys are a great way to check you're on track or if alterations are needed.
Do you need help in drawing up your internal communication plan? Read our step by step guide with a free downloadable template:
Recommended Reading 📖: Internal Communication Plan: A Step by Step Guide