Internal Communication11 Jun 2024
The critical link between internal communications and employee engagement
Imagine a workplace where people are engaged, aligned and committed to their work. This is the impact of effective internal communications. It extends beyond keeping everyone informed to building a culture of transparency and trust that drives employee engagement and organisational success.
In this article, we explore strategies to enhance internal communications and boost employee engagement, leading to a more productive and successful workplace.
Understanding the perks of employee engagement
Employee engagement is about the emotional commitment employees have toward the organisation they work for and its goals. It can be measured by how connected employees are with their work and their willingness to go the extra mile to help their company succeed.
For organisations, nurturing employee engagement is an essential driver of success. Decades of employee engagement research show that engaged employees produce better business outcomes across industry, company size, and nationality, and in good economic times and bad. This is a direct result of the numerous benefits associated with a highly engaged workforce, including:
1. Increased productivity - Engaged employees are more focused, motivated, and committed, increasing productivity
2. Higher retention - A stronger connection to a workplace means employees are more likely to stay with an organisation
3. Improved well-being - Engaged employees tend to find more meaning and purpose in their work, leading to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being
4. Increased innovation - Connection helps employees feel empowered to contribute ideas, take risks and think outside the box
5. Positive workplace culture - A culture that values and supports its employees fosters a sense of community, collaboration and mutual respect
6. Enhanced customer experiences - A positive attitude and commitment to their work often translate into positive customer interactions
7. Attracting top talent - Organisations with a reputation for having engaged and satisfied employees are more attractive to top talent, providing a key competitive advantage
8. Better performance - When employees understand and support the company's mission, they are more likely to contribute to its success
9. Adaptability to change - Engaged employees are more likely to embrace and support organisational changes, making the process smoother and more successful
By understanding and leveraging the benefits of employee engagement, organisations can create a more productive, innovative and resilient workforce that drives sustainable success.
What is the role of internal communications in employee engagement?
While HR is responsible for creating policies to boost employee engagement, internal communications is responsible for sharing this information with employees and encouraging the ‘buy-in’ that forms the foundation of success. Here’s how:
How to structure internal communications to boost employee engagement
When shaping your internal communication strategy, consider how you can incorporate the below best practice tactics:
1. Personalise communication - Tailoring messages to different employee groups can make communication more relevant and impactful
2. Create a regular schedule - Consistency is key in internal communications. A predictable communication cadence builds trust and keeps employees informed at the right time
3. Encourage knowledge sharing - Create avenues for employees to connect, collaborate and share knowledge with their peers
4. Leverage leadership - Visible leaders who actively communicate with employees help reinforce organisational values and goals
5. Use storytelling techniques - Storytelling can make communication more relatable, memorable and impactful
6. Incorporate feedback - Create processes to collect and act on feedback. This shows your organisation values employee input, which further boosts engagement.
By implementing these strategies, HR managers and internal communications experts can create a more effective communication framework that not only informs but also engages and inspires employees, driving overall organisational success.
To cater to different preferences and needs, consider using a range of communication channels such as:
1. Internal communication apps
2. Emails
3. Intranet
4. Video
5. All-employee meetings
6. Leader briefings
7. Workshops
8. Chat and messaging tools
9. Printed materials
10. Digital signage
11. Notice boards
12. Surveys
13. Off-sites
Measuring the impact of internal communications on employee engagement
Measuring the impact of internal communications helps you evaluate, refine, and report back on progress. Here are some common methods and metrics you could use:
You can use surveys to measure employee engagement and communication effectiveness. For engagement, focus questions on job satisfaction, alignment with company goals, and feelings of support and recognition. For effectiveness, ask employees how well they understand the information communicated and the clarity of messages and gather their feedback on various communication channels.
Evaluate how internal communications impact key performance indicators such as productivity, project completion rates, and quality of work. Engaged employees typically perform better and are more productive.
This data-driven approach ensures that your internal communications remain effective and aligned with organisational goals.
Boost employee engagement with Belong Creative
The link between internal communications and employees feeling connected, well-informed and engaged is clear. The challenge for internal communications and HR teams is how to best shape a strategy that informs and inspires while balancing the very real risks of information overload and fatigue.
At Belong Creative, we work closely with clients to advise, shape and execute employee engagement initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out to our team.
