Member spotlight Ed Marsh

Connecting colleagues across EMEA

As an internal communications professional at Canon Europe, I play a key role in helping colleagues across EMEA feel informed, inspired and connected, working closely with local communication managers to ensure colleagues across all locations understand our organisational direction and feel motivated to contribute to our shared goals.

IOIC helps me to stay connected to the wider Internal Communication community, keeping my finger on the pulse when it comes to important milestones, learnings and resources. Having a bridge beyond the four walls of our organisation is invaluable.

A career that found me

Like many people in my network, my career in internal communication found me while I was working at Lidl GB. Moving from my initial role in Buying at Lidl, I joined the Communications team where I was tasked with setting up the then non-existent internal communication function, starting with an intranet.

I quickly began to realise that many of my strengths and beliefs coincidentally aligned with a career in internal communication. Whether it's the crafting of a message, the technical requirements of setting up a digital channel, the hosting of a live event, or the need to strategically align and motivate colleagues, helping them to feel truly valued.

Staying connected and keeping up with change

IOIC membership is a must-have for anyone pursuing a career in internal communication. For me personally, I appreciate how it enables me to stay connected to a supportive network of like-minded professionals, offering learning and insight which avoids the need to constantly reinvent the wheel. IOIC membership is especially useful when it comes to navigating macro-trends and external factors such as the pandemic, enabling communicators to collaborate, share best practice and develop approaches which meet the needs of the workforce.

Over the past few years, I've particularly benefited from the courses, thought-leadership pieces and member webinars on offer. The focus on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in internal communication for example has been of particular interest to me. This is something I've begun exploring as a bit of a passion project in my current role, particularly when it comes to the possibilities and implications for the future of the field.

Launching an app that brought colleagues together

During my time at Lidl GB, working with colleagues in Germany, I led the introduction of an employee communications app for colleagues in the UK market. Despite some challenges along the way, including changes required at a development level by the vendor, the app was rapidly adopted by office-based, warehouse and store colleagues.

Seeing the app come to life as colleagues began connecting with the wider Lidl GB team via news posts and the social feed was incredibly rewarding. What I enjoyed most was seeing colleagues share moments from their day to day roles, which really highlighted a strong sense of pride across the organisation.

Advice for those starting out

Effective internal communication depends on building and maintaining a strong network of colleagues across your organisation. Make yourself approachable and available, offering trusted advice and guidance wherever you feel able.

Never underestimate the value of being inquisitive. Asking questions is often what turns even the most technical messages into content that feels accessible and relevant to every colleague across the organisation.

Meeting people where they are

I have a long standing passion for languages. Having been fortunate enough to have spent a year in the beautiful city of Regensburg in Germany as part of my French and German university degree, I experienced first hand how adapting communication to the needs of your audience can unlock deeper connections. In this case, speaking the local language opened the door to stronger connections and long-term friendships.

It's all about meeting people where they are. Accessibility, whether linguistic, cultural, subject matter related or linked to disability, is key. This is something I consciously apply to my communication approach today.