I couldn’t be a princess so now I’m a communicator

From an early age I knew that if I couldn't be a princess, that marketing was what I wanted to do when I was older. Little did I know that at the age of 28 after working my way into marketing by less conventional routes (more on this later), that I would make the leap into Internal Communications and my first Business Partner role in global assuran...

Before going full time in internal communications (IC), I mixed it up alongside professional public relations, press relations, events and marketing, but why did I choose to just focus on one of these in the end, and why was that IC? Why I chose IC My PR years I'm someone who likes to make the most of a situation, but I've learnt over the years not...

But how did I get into IC in the first place? I loved English Language at school. It was the writing that did it for me - not fiction though, I was awful at that! I enjoyed writing up projects, reports and I even remember designing my own travel brochure once. Factual writing in a creative way. So once I'd graduated in Linguistics and English Langu...

In a perfect world I'd be writing this blog and telling the story of how I first came across the opportunity of a career in internal communications during my days at school and college, fell in love with it immediately and the rest is history. But after the past year we've all had, I think it's fair to say we don't live in a perfect world! However,...

If nothing else, 2020 was a source of massive communication shifts among businesses of all industries. To meet the needs of rapid virtual changes, companies have had to adopt new internal communication strategies, ranging from hiring processes to various day-to-day operations. As the dust begins to settle somewhat, it is necessary for businesses to...

One of the reasons I love working in IC is that no day is ever the same. You might be project managing the development and delivery of a recognition campaign or event; using your creative skills like writing, video and animation production; partnering with leaders to communicate the strategy; listening to what employees have to say or analysing dat...

Developing messages with impact is not that widely spoken about or covered in communications textbooks. But, says Liam FitzPatrick, if you start with the end in mind, it's not that challenging; as long as the outcome resonates with your audience. Here's an experience most communicators will recognise. A colleague or a client asks you for help on a ...

We are all well aware that the environment for communicating with colleagues internally has changed dramatically. Blending electronic, hard copy and face-to-face communications, widely regarded as the best way to connect and engage, now looks more like full-time video or telephone calls, email and perhaps WhatsApp groups. In-person meetings, forums...

Find out what the FutureNet squad is recommending you to read in 2021: The Books Your Name: Dominie Shelley Title: Internal Communications – A Manual for practitioners Why you recommend it: This is my go-to book. I fell into Internal Communications (and have never looked back!) and this book has brought me practical advice and confidence when I nee...

The fact is, internal communications have technical, emotional, and philosophical benefits throughout businesses. Employees that recognise a strong culture of communication with management tend to be more satisfied. A robust, directed strategy for internal communications can adjust the workforce mindset in a way that stimulates growth. But an effec...