The chapter illustrates how important is Internal Communications .When organizations grow, internal communications become more important. Internal communications is especially high in any change process, crisis, and merger or in any other extraordinary situation. Effective internal communications create an environment where staff members are engaged in the process, offer ideas that increase customer satisfaction, improve work processes as well as individual performance and experience a greater level of job satisfaction.
In organizations, internal communications could help workers to know the organizations' vision, values and culture. It may involve staff members in issues that affect working life and keeps staff informed on important decisions taken by management. When Internal communications were implemented effectively, it can be crucial in a time of crisis, providing employees with not only a strategy to handle a crisis, but the facts surrounding such an event. As arguably some of the most invested individuals in an organization, trusted and valued employees can prove to be excellent partners when addressing a crisis. By maintaining open lines of communication between managers and employees, effective internal communications will enhance stronger relationships throughout all levels of the organization and forge a sense of community.
Excellent internal communications cannot simply be implemented and left alone, and the process must be adaptable for success. While more and more organizations begin to spend more time identifying special interest groups within their own walls, internal communications methods are becoming increasingly diverse to match the varying needs of each organizations' internal staff and stakeholders.
Real-world Example
Nike has built an effective network of internal communication and branding that results in communication as strong to employees as to their customers. With more than 28,000 employees and five subsidiaries worldwide, this Oregon-based company was recognized in FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work for”® in 2006 as #100.
References:
http://www.myxa.com/eventdb/edb_improving.html
http://www.psbpr.com/page/Advance-Engagement.jsp
http://www.morebusiness.com/Internal-Communications-Strategy
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/work/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1943964
Mary writes:
ReplyDeleteWhen reading about internal communications, I was not surprised to learn that managers' role is no longer one of sitting behind a desk and overseeing things. To know the people working with you and know about the office environment is crucial to succeed as a manager. People often forget how important it is to learn about those around them. Keeping internal communication channels open, keeping these channels up to date and most importantly making sure that the system is being used by all levels in the organization is extremely important. Finding out the hard way when these channels break down is a mistake most managers won't want to make.
I think that in today's fast paced environment, it is crucial to stay active with technology and utilize this technology to establish a good internal communication network. Personally, I find that my employer does a very poor job of having any internal communications. Employees feel powerless and frustrated as they have no outlet to discuss things and even offer ideas or suggestions.
I have included a few links to more information I found when looking at the topic.
http://managementhelp.org/mrktng/org_cmm.htm
http://insidethecubicle.blogs.com/blog/2007/01/internal_commun.html
http://www.nickfinck.com/presentations/bbs2005/
When I was working with a company in India, I faced regular internal communication with upper level managers. We had regular meetings with all the managers and other employees. Managers usually asked our opinions for new projects and in important decisions. They also mentioned the strategies that we should apply at the time of problems and crisis situations. Exceptional internal communications cannot simply be implemented and left alone; the process must be ever-changing and adaptable for success. Tools for internal communications are intranet website, internal newsletters, E-mail, message board, print materials, conference calls and regular meetings. It is most important that internal communication should be openness, honest and two way.
ReplyDeleteInternal communications are vital but often missing. In fact, many tasks often get duplicated becauce of the lack in internal communications. This can be quite frustrating for employees, especially when they are altered after the project is completed.
ReplyDeleteKeeping the constituents informed, especially during a crisis, is also important. Many companies utilize blogs as methods of keeping everyone in the "know". The more aware the constituents are to occurences in the organization, the happier they are likely to be.
http://performance-appraisals.org/Bacalsappraisalarticles/articles/comstrat.htm
An article that supports the focus on internal communications by all organizations whether they are public or private.
Carrie Jenkins