IoIC Conference: Edinburgh (sponsored by Cocentric)

Registration

Tea, coffee and breakfast rolls

Welcome

Handing over to the Chair for the day, Ann Hood

Jennifer Sproul, Chief Executive, IoIC

Ann Hood, Team Lead, Content & Campaign Team, Scottish Water

Insight: How do we build trust in organisations?

Greg will share his reflections on trust within organisations – how leaders can build or break trust through their actions, and how internal comms and the leadership team can work together to reassure employees in the company’s direction of travel.

Insight: How can we implement authentic EDI strategies?

Zara will talk about the importance of an authentic equity, diversity and inclusion culture within organisations – and how to implement EDI policies and strategies that will enable employees to perform at their best.

Break

Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks

Case study: In-person events around purpose and strategic ambitions

Jemma and Caitlin will share how the team designed and delivered the first set of in-person events post-Covid, to reach 4,500 employees, in 10 locations across Scotland. The events focused on improving understanding of the Scottish Water purpose, three strategic ambitions and the role each employee plays in supporting those. Feedback has shown that the team successfully achieved their objectives with 96 per cent of employees now knowing the strategic ambition.

Jemma McNeill, Senior Communications and Engagement Consultant & Caitlin Lang, Communications and Engagement Consultant, Scottish Water

Networking and Discussion

The first of two focused discussion sessions will pose questions and dilemmas on challenges facing internal communicators today. In small groups, you will be invited to share your experiences, issues, solutions and successes, offering ideas and best practice that your peers can implement in their workplaces to overcome challenges, ultimately helping strengthen the IC profession.

Insight: How AI is revolutionising internal comms

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising, for better or worse, almost every industry it touches – and internal communication is not immune. Many organisations are implementing AI tools already, but what does this implementation mean for individuals, organisations, and teams? From authenticity to trustworthiness, ethics to commercial opportunities, this session will explore how AI might impact the world of internal communications over the next twelve months and – perhaps ambitiously – five years from now.

Networking and Discussion

The second of two focused discussion sessions will pose questions and dilemmas on challenges facing internal communicators today. In small groups, you will be invited to share your experiences, issues, solutions and successes, offering ideas and best practice that your peers can implement in their workplaces to overcome challenges, ultimately helping strengthen the IC profession.

Break

Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks

Case study: Boosting engagment through employee voice sessions

To ensure inclusivity across all roles, grades and working patterns, the University of Glasgow's Estates Communication & Engagement Team launched the Voice Programme. This session will explore this initiative, which aims to boost engagement among 800 colleagues by employing diverse strategies to promote two-way communication, such as Director Listening Sessions and Townhalls. The approach has improved leadership accessibility and overall transparency, with improvements across all measured areas.

Dovile Green, Communication & Engagement Lead, University of Glasgow

Charis Sandison, Comms & Engagement Assistant, University of Glasgow

Panel: How should we talk about sustainability with employees?

Communication and sustainability experts from SSE, PwC and Edinburgh Airport will reflect on best practice in talking with colleagues about all forms of sustainability – environmental, community and personal sustainability, for example. What do employees need to know to support you in achieving your organisation’s sustainability goals, and how can we engage them in the science behind this long-term challenge?

Gordon Robertson, Chief Comms and Sustainability Officer, Edinburgh Airport

Mairi Gordon, Group Internal Comms Manager, SSE

Gemma Jones, Director, PwC

Closing remarks