Any organization is a team effort which needs clear and regular communication - internal communication (IC) is the main way to do this. The COVID-19 emergency challenged companies to keep staff informed and united while physically distancing. Internal communications has become the core to surviving this unusual reality.

I, as a communications specialist with experience in internal communications, know that customers and the employee are equally important, and should be treated as such. Internal communication is a tool to inform, engage and give employees a voice which provides a transparent and healthy environment in the company.

Personally, I feel there are 5 main reasons why internal communications is strategic for any company.

1. Being Informed is key - It is the company's responsibility to create transparency by keeping staff members informed of upcoming events, policy changes, engagement initiatives, and overall updates. Staff members have the right to know what is going on in the company.
   
   
2. The big picture helps to see one’s part in the whole - While communicating a big picture of the company goals, main changes, achievements and future plans, gives an opportunity to each individual to see themselves in the company development journey and how he/she is contributing to these achievements. Showing that their effort matters is a good basis to staff loyalty and motivation.
   
   
3. IC creates a space where staff will be seen and heard - Internal communication, as any type of communication, is two-way street which is based on leader-staff sharing standards. Having online or offline meetings where staff questions are answered is mandatory.
   
   Facilitating a dialogue should involve all departments and staff members, for example, the IT team should have the opportunity to explain what they’re working on, the sale’s team should share their strategy, and regional offices should speak about their challenges. As Corey Moseley, a PR expert, states, “Employees who feel that their voice matters, that their ideas are worth listening to, are more likely to go above and beyond when your organization needs them. And the value of that can’t be underestimated...”
   
   
4. Social internal communication is a tool of engagement - This builds a bond that can’t be created in any other way. Staff members should know their colleagues, leaders, departments in person, not only from emails and phone calls. I remember, our company staff were motivated by the fact that they had direct contact with our leadership team through informal events such as having lunch together.
   
   
5. Crises are managed through internal communication - when there are crises in a company, informed staff members are less stressed, because they already know and are familiar with communication style.
   
   

Main takeaways:

• Make information flow regular, but don’t lose the big picture.
• Create professional internal communication platforms where question answer sessions will be held.
• Make sure that engagement level between management and staff is high
• Remember, company culture is the sum of its parts, and good internal communications brings it together.
• Professional internal communication strategy creates the healthy environment, transparency and openness that are respected. This leads to profit and success.

My experience has taught me that staff members can cause the largest and most devastating crises in the company. If you need any help in creating or implementing internal communication strategy for your small or large company, contact me. I am here to help.