Three Keys to Effective Internal Communications

In 2023, Forbes commissioned a study that surveyed 1,000 employed Americans working in an office. The results ranged from the majority citing burnout due to an “always on” feeling to the more nuanced insight that almost half of workers experience stress trying to form responses that convey the right tone of voice. Another report from Axios notes that ineffective communication costs U.S. companies an estimated $2 trillion a year.

This data indicates that employers must examine how they communicate with their workforce and implement strategies to make people feel supported. For 2024, here are three internal communications trends that need to be integrated into your strategy : emphasis on employee experience, data-driven communications decisions, and a continued commitment to celebrating and elevating diverse voices. 

Focus on the Employee Experience 

Employee experience has emerged as a focal point in internal communications, and with good reason. According to a Forbes study, 45 percent of workers feel more connected to their team due to digital communication. Still, nearly half also report that ineffective communication has affected their productivity. Those numbers clearly illustrate the double-edged sword of digital communication, and it brings to mind many memes about how “a meeting could have been an email.” Companies should invest in personalized content delivery, interactive platforms, and employee-focused initiatives to enhance overall satisfaction. 

They should also deploy these communications strategies thoughtfully. The refrain of “Let’s hop on a call” can quickly make workers cringe while their to-do lists pile up. While it can be nice to bring the team together via video chat when it comes time to send out a meeting invite, take a moment to consider if a meeting is truly the best way to communicate. Consider if other tools at your disposal could achieve the same goal as meeting that demands less of your employees’ valuable time and save face-to-face interaction for when it will bring the most value. 

Use the Data You Collect 

Feedback mechanisms in internal communication channels continue to grow in importance. Businesses are embracing platforms that facilitate employee feedback, empowering staff to voice their opinions and concerns. This fosters a culture of open dialogue and collaboration. Gathering this data is a good way to help employees feel heard, but it is also possible that when nothing comes as a result of this data, workers view this exercise as time wasted. This kind of failure to close the loop is an example of poor communication, which the Forbes study cites as a reason that 40% of workers have lost trust in leadership or their team. The remedy here is simple- use the data you collect to drive decisions and share that with your team. For internal communications, data usage can be integrated into campaigns in several ways. For example, analyzing company intranet traffic data can tell you the best days to post, the type of employees reading your content, and even which employee segments might be missing the message altogether. 

Understand That One Size Does Not Fit All 

Companies continue to incorporate the guiding principles of inclusivity and diversity in their internal communications strategies. Doing so underscores the importance of representing diverse voices and perspectives in their communication strategies to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. That said, there is no “one size fits all” strategy that will ensure your communications are landing as intended. Companies must work to understand the unique needs of their workforce. At the same time, organizations still must be wary of not tokenizing employees based on their identities. Successful internal communication strategies are increasingly tailored to individual employee preferences, ensuring that messages are relevant and resonate with diverse audiences. 

A well-executed internal communications strategy will positively impact every area of a company, leading to increased employee engagement, productivity, and revenue. The insights from the Forbes study underscore the critical role that communication plays in fostering a positive workplace. As your team looks to refine its internal communications strategies, we encourage you to embrace these trends and forge a workplace environment where every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated. Ultimately, the success of these strategies lies not just in their adoption but in the meaningful impact they have on the daily experiences of employees, propelling organizations toward greater productivity, cohesion, and success.