After some quick intros, we each talked about the thing we're most proud of during the last couple of months…for some it was about still managing to fit in jeans, or log CPD hours during the craziness of working during the coronavirus pandemic, and for others, it was working on sizeable campaigns and projects to support colleagues.
One of the great things about being part of FutureNet is that there's people working in all kinds of organisations, with different experiences and challenges, but we all have the same goals at heart. Plus, everyone's in their first few years of practice, so there's lots to learn and share from people at a similar career level to you.
After a 'what do you want to talk about?' poll, we launched into a discussion on what people's next steps were as we move out of the coronavirus lockdown. Has how we communicate changed, and will we go back to how it was before?
Many of us have established a new drumbeat of comms and are no longer working in the moment, so we're able to start planning with more foresight again. Some of us are finding that attitudes from leaders have changed, and organisations that were resistant to things like internal social media are now exploring how to launch them in the future (if they didn't already during lockdown).
One topic on everyone's minds was 'employee wellbeing' – regardless of our different kinds of audiences. Some colleagues have been stuck at home for months on end on furlough, some have been working uncomfortably hunched over a laptop at dining table whilst the kids loudly play catch with the dog – it's not been an easy time for anyone.
But as internal communicators, there's been some great initiatives to support them – such as wellbeing groups on Workplace by Facebook and Yammer, a simple gesture like providing resources about what to do at the weekend or what's good on TV, or even having an open organisation-wide call during working hours manned by 'feelgood champions' for people to pop on and have a coffee break.
Some FutureNetters were keen for advice on things they're working on – such as how to make an intranet more engaging, which the hive mind was more than willing to offer ideas with. Being able to hear different approaches and perspectives is one of my favourite things about joining events like this – there's always something to take away and think about, and maybe even adapt for your own workplace!
Stay tuned for future FutureNet Hangouts where you can join meet other internal communicators, learn, share, and claim one hour of IoIC CPD for attending. We look forward to chatting with you!
