A well planned and executed internal communication strategy is one of the most ardruous yet rewarding assets for your organization. Below are 7 ways you can use to asses how healthy your strategy is.

As a business operator or Human Resources professional, your livelihood hinges on your ability to retain great employees and build an enthusiastic company culture. One of the best ways to accomplish these goals is to develop a stellar internal communication system. With an intranet that is easy to navigate and update, you can build a workforce that is engaged, well-informed, and eager to participate in upcoming activities. Below are ten signs that your company’s internal communication strategy is a success.

Why is an internal communication strategy so important?

If you are like most business operators, you consider your employees to be your most valuable asset. Creating a culture of inclusion is essential to making employees feel valued and maintaining their loyalty to your brand. Rebekah Iliff of AirPR notes that internal communications are just as important as external PR:

“While measuring PR and communications from an external perspective is generally the priority of PR executives, it’s just as important for them to measure the success of internal communications. The reasoning for this isn’t because you need a headcount for this summer’s BBQ, but rather because your employees are your most dedicated brand champions.”

– Rebekah Iliff, Chief Strategy Officer of AirPR 

In addition to keeping employees informed, open and honest communication with employees helps to foster trust and productive relationships between employees. Business 2 Community (B2C) outlines some other key reasons why internal communication is important to your business:

• Real-time News and Updates: Share information instantly to the entire company.
• Content Variety: Take advantage of a storyboard and use visual images and video to convey information.
• Reach Remote Employees: A growing number of companies have employees who work remotely and require fast access to information.
• Transparency: Open and honest communication fosters trust and builds engagement among workers.

How will you know if your internal communication strategy is successful?

Investing in your internal communications does not automatically produce visible results. Not all intranet providers are created equal, and it is important to select an expert in employee communications. By choosing an accomplished provider, you will begin to notice results almost immediately. Here are some signs that your internal communication strategy is working.

1) Lo and behold, your employees are actually using your intranet!

“Our old intranet was not effective and had no consistency. Staff just wouldn’t use it, it didn’t have anything they needed. With IC, staff are totally engaged, resources are available online and our former paper-based processes have migrated online.”

– Sasha Kemble, Knowledge Management Specialist, Verity Credit Union

You can spend thousands of dollars on your intranet, but your investment will be wasted if your employees do not use it. With a captivating, user-friendly intranet, employees will be more apt to log in regularly and stay abreast of important company events.

2) You have a record turnout at your office flu shot clinic

Before the advent of the intranet, H.R. Directors would have to send emails or try to physically track down employees to notify them about upcoming wellness programs or events. Communicating with remote workers or production employees who do not have an office email account was often difficult. When you have an intranet that is easy to access, employees can easily learn about health promotions by logging in from any location using their favorite mobile device.

3) You notice an uptick in productivity

“The rapid nature of internal communications software eliminates one-sentence, back-and-forth emails sent for simple questions or concerns. Internal communications products provide an internal space to quickly address coworkers without using informal means such as texting from a personal phone number.”

– G2 Crowd, Inc.

A robust intranet eliminates the need for H.R. managers to answer the same questions over and over again. Updates can be posted for everyone to view, along with FAQs and new information. Back and forth email or verbal dialogue with multiple employees is also greatly reduced. This means that employees and H.R. staff can work with fewer interruptions while having access to all of the information they need.

4) Attendance at your company holiday party is higher than ever

A robust internal communication strategy means announcing upcoming company social events is effective. H.R. directors no longer have to worry about whether employees receive emails or happen to notice the holiday party flyer hanging in the break room. You can use your internal communication system to send invitations, post reminders, and even send directions to employees.

5) Your departments are functioning more efficiently

Information sharing is easy and seamless for departments with access to a comprehensive intranet. You can accomplish team tasks faster and fewer meetings are required because all team members can review or edit documents simultaneously.

6) You notice a decline in employee turnover

Informed employees are happy employees. By keeping your employees abreast of news and upcoming events, you are letting them know that they are valued. And when employees feel valued, they are less likely to consider leaving your organization for another job opportunity.

7) You hear employees talking about information you just posted

Before the advent of internal communication systems, it could take days or weeks for company updates and information to reach every employee. With a robust intranet, employees can receive important updates instantly. If you hear people talking about the new product kickoff party you just announced on the intranet, then you know your efforts are paying off!

The Bottom Line 

Your company’s intranet is one of the most powerful tools in your employee communication arsenal. A robust internal communication system can boost productivity, enhance employee engagement, and reduce employee turnover. However, not all intranet software providers are created equal. As you evaluate prospective solutions, be sure to seek a provider with a proven track record of success in your industry.

Since 1999, Intranet Connections has been a leader in the intranet software industry. Our goal is to provide you with the cutting-edge solution you need to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. We invite you to contact us to request a live intranet demo and find out how our innovative software can impact your business. We look forward to serving as your trusted internal communications provider!