Internal Communications, Employee Engagement and….. Mindreader?????

Internal Communications is an incredible area to work in; I find it interesting and motivating, and it is so exciting to see the value internal communications can add if it is done right.  

However, if your colleagues aren’t used to working with internal communicators, it can be challenging. One of the biggest challenges I have found is writing for people I don’t know, about a topic I’m not familiar with, on a very short deadline. This is the point where mind reading would come in really useful!  

To put it into context, imagine you are a script writer in the 90s. You’ve been asked to write a scene between Monica and Phoebe in “Friends”.  

You’ve never seen “Friends”.  

You don’t know what Monica is like or who Phoebe even is! 

The scene is due for first draft in 25 minutes and MUST be sent out by 3pm today. It is now 1.32pm.  

Are you sweating yet???? 

Of course, I haven’t actually been asked to write for any tv shows, but I think this gives a good idea of the kind of last minute requests Internal Communications are given.  

What’s the answer? I work with my stakeholders to increase their awareness of best practice regarding internal communications. There will always be something urgent that comes up, but generally speaking, a lot of the panic and stress can be avoided if Internal Communications are brought into the loop as early as possible.  

In my next post, I’m going to talk about my favourite people to write for and the number one thing I need from them.