What does it take to be a bridge builder?
I’ve always thought that communicators are essentially bridges. They provide a link between audiences; it’s a role that requires a deep understanding of both sides. Thinking of yourself as a bridge stops people confusing shouting for PR. But, it also strikes me that not everyone is equipped or allowed to do the job. It applies […]
Calling the right tune with internal communication?
Too often, internal communication is seen as just another branch of reputation management. But communication directors are increasingly using it to underline their role as strategic advisors. Logging onto some PR consultancy websites is likely to give you a limited idea of what internal communication is all about. You’ll find talk of “every employee [being] […]
Three things communicators can tell you about Brexit
Watching the unfolding Brexit situation in the last few days, I’m reminded of three lessons that any experienced change communicator will have learnt. Whilst you shouldn’t draw too many parallels between states and corporations in transition, there are some similarities that our leaders do well to bear in mind. Are we divided or are we […]
Three narratives to explain change
Events in the UK around BREXIT have reminded me of the idea that there are three common narratives around change. My friend Tony Quinlan first explained it to me and I’ve often used it to help decision-makers think long and hard about how they wish to communicate. But it’s a concept that challenges your fundamental […]
Transformation communications – it’s a long haul
What happens after the big announcement? How do you avoid periods of long silence during transformation programmes asks Liam FitzPatrick. Transformations seem to be prone to Announcement-itis. It’s a condition involving infrequent and dramatic announcements punctuated by long periods of silence from the programme team. Internal and external stakeholders can find themselves in the […]
Don’t believe the transformation hype – at first
Transformation programmes always start off with big ideas but reality soon sets in. It’s a bit embarrassing for the communicator who believed the hype at the beginning and has to explain later on why things are not quite as promised says Liam FitzPatrick. It seems to happen on virtually every single change programme I’ve ever been involved […]
Helping leaders lead
In this day and age there can be few senior leaders who don’t think communication is a duty and an essential skill in their role. It’s a huge opportunity for the internal communication function, but what does it take to deliver for the boss? It has been common thinking among communicators for some time that […]
Simple change communication surveys
Change communicators need data and to be adept at gathering it. Below we look at some of the reasons for gathering it and make some suggestions about the questions you need to ask and talk about some additional resources a communicator should know about. Most of the work internal communicators do is about change whether […]
A digital 2016?
Just before Christmas I asked a few friends in internal communication about their development plans for 2016 and they all replied ‘We need to get better at digital”. Interestingly, people seem to have moved on from the conversations of a couple of years ago. Much of the internal social media hype hasn’t come to pass; the […]
Internal Communications – are PRs up to the job?
This blog was originally published by the Public Relations Consultants Association. Apparently Internal Communications is consistently reported as one of the biggest worries of Comms Directors. And where once IC was a backwater in which to park your career, a stint worrying about employees is now an essential box to tick on the way to […]