Articles.

From marketing to leading communications at major UK firms, Lee Coleman reflects on five defining moments that shaped his journey to group head of communications at British Engines.

Internal communication teams are asking whether the intranet still deserves its place in the channel mix. The reality is more nuanced than “keep it” or “kill it”: the intranet is becoming the root of a wider ecosystem.

Post-war prosperity and social change dismantled top-down internal communications, driving industrial unrest and paving the way for more participative, two-way approaches that reshaped employee relations and organisational communication in Britain.

Adesh Chetram, head of integrated communications at Nedbank and president of South Africa’s Institute for Internal Communications Africa, shares how Ubuntu, authenticity and purpose are redefining internal comms across the continent.

Over the past 150 years, the field of internal communication has undergone profound changes while maintaining core, consistent truths. Michael Heller, professor of business history at Northumbria University, has been exploring its evolution – the five stages of the history of internal comms. Here, we look at the first stage: Editorial Internal Communication (1880–1960)

Most internal communicators didn’t set out to work in IC – they found it by accident. As the discipline evolves, we need to get better at winning new fans – attracting entry-level talent, nurturing potential and showing the breadth of opportunity. From graduates to seasoned practitioners, internal comms can be a career that grows with you – if we make the path visible.

Canadian consultant and Inner Strength Communication president Priya Bates discusses building alignment in uncertain times, valuing inclusion and why strategy and research remain essential to effective internal comms.

In the latest stop on our international tour of IC profressionals, we are in Brazil. Cynthia Provedel, founder of Brazilian consultancy Caminho do Meio, explores how communicative leadership, creativity and conscious use of AI are shaping internal comms across Brazil. She shares how cultural diversity, dialogue and governance can help communicators strengthen purpose and build trust.

In our latest stop around the world of global internal comms, we find ourselves in Australia. Paula Batho, IABC NSW board director and communication manager at Woolworths Group, shares how Australian organisations are navigating transformation, dispersed workforces and a strong cultural expectation for honest, direct communication.

Small organisations show that effective change communication is built on honesty, empathy and connection – lessons that larger companies can use to make transformation feel human.

Brett Smyth, CEO and founder of Engage Group, shares how internal communication is maturing across the Middle East. He discusses building belonging in multicultural workforces, shifting leadership mindsets, and why the region’s people-first, emotionally driven storytelling can inspire communicators around the world.

May Flanagan, founder of Flanagan Communications and IoIC Ireland network lead, brings 13 years’ global experience in change communication, helping organisations navigate transformation with empathy and clarity. Here she reflects on storytelling in Ireland and keeping people motivated in times of change.

Internal communication may be a global profession, but it is shaped by deeply local cultures, contexts and expectations, making the balance between global consistency and local authenticity more important than ever. Drawing on perspectives from communicators around the world, our latest Voice series explores how trust, listening and human connection remain the constants that drive meaningful engagement, wherever people work. First, Keith Berman, director of internal communications at US-based software company Vertafore, discusses AI’s impact, navigating political sensitivities and why internal comms must be seen as essential, not optional.

Clarity in internal communication is more than simple language. It’s about making messages understandable, relevant and authentic, aligning leadership, managers and communicators so employees connect, trust and act on what they hear.

Aviva empowered six employee communities with dedicated internal comms takeovers, sharing stories to boost awareness – driving 280 per cent traffic growth, thousands of comments and 30 per cent membership increase.

Experian’s We Do That campaign used powerful colleague storytelling to bring its purpose to life, helping employees see how their work improves people’s financial health and making the company feel more human.

A growing number of internal communication professionals are being asked to step up as strategic advisers to the top of the organisation. What are the skills and tactics you need to influence, coach and challenge leaders?

When Sara Barrow, head of communications for Arriva Rail London, and her team wanted a more in-depth understanding of employees, she reached out to Henry Davies, founder of 106 Communications.

New research warns that over-reliance on generative AI could erode critical thinking and productivity, urging businesses to invest equally in developing the human skills needed for responsible, effective AI use.

Internal communication is evolving fast – and so are the skills required to thrive in it. IC teams must prepare for the future by mixing the right blend of human and technical capabilities to lead change, influence leaders and shape culture in a more strategic way.

Internal communicators need more than instincts and impressions – they need evidence. Data and insight from surveys and listening tools are not always as they appear on the surface. Smarter analysis can help IC teams earn trust, influence leaders and drive real organisational change.

When a big campaign or groupwide engagement initiative lands, it’s exciting – but how do you make sure they take-off smoothly without dropping the day job? Here’s how to prioritise, schedule and stay strategic while keeping business-as-usual comms firmly on your radar.

Recent research reveals major disconnect between leaders and desk-free workers on communication, pay and workload, raising risks for retention.

In a digitally driven, hybrid world, human connection is under threat. Workplace relationships have cooled. Interactions lack warmth. Physically, we are often isolated from each other. Through authentic leadership, an inclusive culture and meaningful dialogue, we can reignite trust and collaboration and create work environments – digital and in-person – where people perform at their best.

Artificial intelligence is transforming workplace communication, offering internal communicators powerful tools to enhance efficiency, engagement and creativity.Here, we share tips on using AI to benefit your internal comms content and processes and applying the right tools for the right task in a practical and ethical way. Most of these insights come from IC professionals who are already integrating AI into their workflows.

Nearly two-thirds of young UK workers can’t understand their pay slips – clear, supportive communication is key to closing the gap when it comes to financial literacy.

Age generalisations in the workplace persist, but our content and career choices are shaped more by our formative years than age alone. As communication styles evolve, businesses must find harmony between generations. From tone of voice to shifting mindsets, understanding these differences is key to keeping teams and workforces in tune with one another.

What’s the secret to making an impression when hundreds of people are applying for the same job? Internal comms hiring pros share their top tips for serving up an irresistible application and keeping your cool throughout the process.

At its worst, a crisis can hit your organisation like a whirlwind and cause significant chaos. Saying the right thing to your workforce can be a challenge. Employees value openness from leaders, so the language and tone you use for clarity and reassurance is important.

As job-seekers increasingly prioritise purpose over perks, many seek employers with a clear voice on today’s hot topics. Organisations are expected to address societal issues thoughtfully, maintaining authenticity through real actions that support their statements. But showing public support for something can be a delicate balancing act.

A new study by Oak Engage uncovers stark generational divides between gen Z and millennials in the workplace, revealing contrasting career priorities, tech frustrations and rising burnout levels, as nearly 60% of gen Z employees eye an exit within two years.

Discover how the collaboration between HR and internal communication creates more human experiences throughout the employee lifecycle – from onboarding and career development to organisational change and departure.

Investing in your skills is crucial for advancing your career and ensuring your internal comms team can effectively execute its strategies. This quest for self-growth requires being open to learning from different sources, engaging in peer-to-peer learning and continuous reflection.

A new study shows that less than one quarter of organisations effectively harness creativity for business growth.

Strategic internal communication stands at the intersection of organisational goals and the people who bring them to life, aligning the company purpose with its employees, enhancing performance, boosting productivity, and unlocking individual and collective potential.

This year’s IC Index underscores the importance of honest, unfiltered communication and genuine leadership in building trust, revealing the significant divide between excellent and poor internal comms.

In a world where technology is rapidly transforming every aspect of business, Cytiva is fully embracing AI to revolutionise its internal communication efforts.

In an increasingly decentralised world of work, today’s talent getting their feet under your workbench might be a mix of contractors, temporary workers and permanent staff. How do you get your diverse team to march together in the same direction?

In 2020, we were thrown into remote working with a moment’s notice, and then, a year later, a hybrid culture. Our work-life balance might be better, but have we properly taken time to shape a culture fit for everyone around this new way of working, and to adapt content and channels to employees’ changing preferences?

The second IC Index explores employees’ opinions of internal communication, with a focus on trust.

Moto’s transformative shift to a new app heralded a dynamic era of workplace connectivity. With engaging campaigns and significant perks, Loop is reshaping internal communications for a more connected and valued workforce.

An organisation that is truly inclusive needs to do more than simply explain and celebrate our differences. The real value of a diverse workforce can only be realised when that awareness translates to a shift in employee behaviour, which comes from collaborative working and a shared ambition.

Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before: “You said, we did.” Employees want leaders who truly listen – but how well are organisations showing how they are taking action based on feedback? The “We did” story needs to be louder.

Unlocking the power of self-confidence can transform your career and wellbeing, says communication coach Jo Hall.

Annual report from Gallagher suggests mixed views on increasing use of AI.

Looking back to the late 19th century, the Institutional History of Internal Communication in the UK project has been studying technology’s role in how organisations connect with their employees. Here we take a step back in time to see what lessons can be learned from the past about adapting to change.

Capturing your audience’s attention and maintaining a sensitive approach are key in internal comms. Through their project, Loneliness Lies Beneath, Limehouse and Lloyds Banking Group showcase how those two concepts go hand in hand.

The terminology around climate sustainability is enough to confuse anyone without a scientific degree. But sustainability is about more than environmental challenges – and IC professionals need to study and understand the science behind it and then translate it for employees.

There comes a point when every IC team realises it needs to be more effective. Scaling up isn’t just about having more people to do more work; it’s about moulding your skills to a more strategic way of working.

Your company’s purpose is one of the most important sentences you’ll publish in internal comms. Narrowing down the essence of why the business exists into a single statement and getting employees to buy into it is no easy task.

Businesses are being urged to cut down on alcohol consumption, following a newly released poll highlighting harassment at work events.

Culture is implicit in any organisation. The key is recognising that it needs as much attention as business-critical functions, says Nathan Wallis, chief of staff at financial mutual Wesleyan.

Our increasingly global work community demands a more acute awareness of the need for inclusive communication, says Zanne Gaynor, co-founder Acrobat Global, language specialists and experienced trainers in international communication skills.

Grief is a unique experience for everyone who loses a loved one. Here, Jane Roques-Shaw, global director for employee experience at Dentsu, shares her experiences of grief since her husband, Seb, died earlier this year, and how her manager and team offered support when she returned to work.

Our attention spans are narrowing and providing more information than is necessary makes key messages harder to understand. In this long feature about short content, we look at why giving less can be more effective for getting your point across.

To give our best performance at work, we need to feel connected to our teammates. But the absence of casual, water-cooler chat in 2023's working environment has left some home-workers feeling adrift from their peers. For our wellbeing, how can we bring a culture of conversation and fun into the hybrid workplace?

Gallagher has published the findings from its latest survey about internal communication.

A top-down comms approach where key messages are delivered by leaders seems outdated. A culture shift is removing some of the responsibility from leaders to deliver every piece of news and instead amplifying the voice of colleagues. How can IC teams help make the switch to this brave new world?

With face-to-face events gradually getting back to pre-pandemic schedules, make sure you are catering for everyone's accessibility needs.

With so many transferable skills, internal communicators are well-placed to jump across sectors and explore areas unknown, believes Samantha Pickett, internal communications manager, EMEA, Baker McKenzie.

Rising prices are forcing many employees into financial hardship, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for what’s ahead. While employer-sponsored benefits never hurt, greater emphasis on financial education and wellbeing is needed to help people navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

Cathryn Barnard is a co-founder of Working the Future, a future of work advisory firm. Author of the IoIC’s Future of Work Trends report and its new Four Futures report, she explains why every ambitious organisation needs scenario planning included in its strategic communication planning toolbox.

Following calls from employees for an easier way to recognise the excellent work of colleagues, Miller Insurance created an Applause Wall – an easy-to-use internal recognition tool that brings messages of thanks to life with the click of a button.

A new study released by leading global communications agency BCW has found that the growing economic uncertainty has forced employees to reprioritise what they want from their employers, signalling a significant shift in expectations since the global pandemic.

2022 – what a year! Here, we look back at the events, trends and cultural changes likely to impact individuals and have a lasting effect on workplace culture.

Our colleagues with disabilities often need adjustments to ensure they are not disadvantaged at work. These are sometimes small and inexpensive changes, but they may not be obvious and can vary greatly. Businesses can do much more to make sure employees feel supported at work and safe to speak up about their needs.

Havebury Housing Partnership’s first communications strategy launched last year, bringing leadership and comms priorities together.

When looking to attract the attention of key influencers in the organisation, internal comms practitioners need to proudly display the strategic value they bring.

When Johnson Matthey embarked on a new strategy to support its environmental goals, it took a conversational approach to bring employees with them on the journey and ensure their voices were heard.

A strong internal comms strategy can help you attack your goals with clarity and purpose. If you don’t understand why you’re doing what you’re doing or the direction you need to take, you aren’t using your skills to your advantage.

Did somebody say... a merger? From a comms point of view, there were three key steps in the union of Just Eat and Takeaway.com.

Online fashion retailer Missguided has chosen to shun traditional corporate values in favour of “Vibes”, to accurately reflect the culture and spirit of the brand.

A merger or acquisition is no cakewalk for internal communicators. It’s a hard slog over many months of uncertainty, stress and mystery – and then you have to support colleagues when the news breaks and bring two workforces together. Collaboration and listening is key to making sure all goes smoothly up to day zero – and beyond.

Employees’ views of an organisation’s willingness to act has a meaningful impact on their engagement levels.

Having a deeper understanding of employees’ views and lives can help to shape comms for the better, but what are the practicalities of achieving quality audience insight?

The use of pronouns will be an increasingly important element of creating inclusive work environments, says Will Fox, internal communications manager at Beamery.

During Pride month in June, corporate workplaces are wallpapered with rainbows to celebrate and commemorate LGBTQ+ history. But what does real support and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues look like? And when June is over, is your organisation doing and communicating enough to let gay, trans and queer employees know you have their backs?

How many campaigns have you got planned this year? Are you confident that they will actually be effective – you know, truly make an impact? Here, we look at the golden rules of how to make sure your campaign does more than create a few ripples…

When you’re as busy as an internal comms practitioner – which is very busy, by the way – don’t put in more effort than you need to on tasks that don’t have strategic value. Prioritise your workload and manage your time so that you’re focusing on projects that really mean something.

Text messages can deliver instant alerts into the pockets of your people, making them a handy addition to the internal communication mix.

Business psychologist Hannah Johnson reflects on the rightful place of social interaction and compassion in the workplace.

M&S has launched a digital alumni network to help former colleagues stay connected to the organisation and to each other.

Technology is helping more organisations access new markets and extend their workforce into new countries. Henry Davies, founder and comms consultant at 106 Communications, warns internal communicators that they need to take a different approach when their business goes global.

The measure of a good channel mix is whether employees know where to go to get the information they need. A thorough channel audit will tell you the content colleagues want to consume – and which formats should be shelved.

Companies that encourage employees to use their personal social media networks to share stories about the business can benefit greatly from this powerful form of promotion.

Mark Webb, head of comms for charity Shift.ms, explains why championing allyship at work can lead to a better work environment.

Technology and other external influences mean more businesses will have to adapt or face obsolescence over the coming decade. Cat Barnard, partner at Working the Future, reflects on the re-shape of things to come.

Housing provider Stonewater took its employee benefits package to another level when it developed an initiative dedicated to helping colleagues onto the property ladder. To honour the impressive scheme, internal comms put together an action-packed launch.

Dane Krambergar, head of client services – workplace wellbeing for mental health charity Mind, says the symptoms of depression and the causes of someone having suicidal thoughts vary from one person to another, but employers have a responsibility to provide solutions and support to everyone.

People’s communication needs can be very different, so accessibility within comms is important.

Staying in with a good book still has its merits. Here, we round up our reviewers' top picks, as published in Voice magazine throughout 2021.

Portable on demand (POD) systems are giving internal comms teams a new way of reaching colleagues wherever they are. But where do you start when setting up a podcast aimed at employees?

When employees process internal stories and announcements, a chemical reaction is triggered in the brain. With a greater understanding of behavioural psychology and the different personalities within an organisation, internal communicators can help colleagues make decisions and deal with information and change requests positively, rather than feel threatened.

Kiera Hay is head of communications at University of East London. In her seven years at the university, she has experienced a handful of suspected student suicides. Here, she explains the importance of talking with the family before you communicate with anyone else.

With the number of skills needed to do any job increasing, organisations will need to look at their learning and development programmes to see how they can introduce these capabilities to their workforces.

The way an organisation communicates internally says a lot about its identity. With the ability to influence the internal culture and overall morale of employees, the importance of matching up internal tone of voice with organisational values shouldn’t be underestimated.

Cybercriminals are finding new and cunning ways to entrap employees into giving away corporate information. Here, Voice looks at how internal communication can help employees understand how their behaviour can either enable or prevent an attack.

“Is your organisation taking microaggressive behaviour seriously enough?” asks Dr Jummy Okoya, D&I and leadership and organisation development expert.

Nicholas Wardle, head of employee engagement and communications at One Housing, is on a mission to increase the focus of employee experience – within his own team and in the wider internal comms profession.

For a series on mental health, Voice spoke to communication and employee engagement specialists and mental health experts to hear their personal stories about suicide and understand what more internal comms teams and managers can do to build a culture where people feel able to talk when they reach crisis point. Here, Caroline Roodhouse, content manager at agency Alive With Ideas, explains how her work environment became a safe space after her husband, Steve, died by suicide in 2018.

As businesses gradually return to something resembling a pre-Covid working life, employees are considering if they really want to go back to things exactly as they were...

Engagement is not all about delivering communication, but making connections – especially with the most disconnected. Rob Mukherjee believes no one has done that more persistently or effectively than Anne Sullivan.

They’re the backbone of any business, but so often back of the line when it comes to comms. Why do we continue to overlook line managers when we know that line manager comms is a perennial problem?

Digital communities are a great way for colleagues at work to connect, collaborate, discuss viewpoints and share information. Whether they’re strictly professional, strictly social or somewhere in between, when given the opportunity to thrive, these online groups can mobilise employees and help interpersonal relationships grow.

Liane Davey, author of The Good Fight, believes organisations should embrace conflict in the workplace, rather than trying to suppress it.

Your organisation has multiple generations of employees working side by side. Too often, we dwell on how one label is different from another, but we should be focusing on their similarities, says Lindsay Kohler, lead behavioural scientist at scarlettabbott.

If your organisation has a large number of retail staff, drivers on the road and colleagues in warehouses, your biggest – and endless – challenge as an internal communicator will likely always be how to connect with offline employees, and what content you share.

Increasingly, internal communicators are becoming part of the team tasked with managing the annual report. Maintaining harmonious relationships and establishing a clear brief are key to a successful outcome.

When it comes to breaking bad news about the company’s finances or changes to employees’ pay and benefits, you have to speak the right language: transparent, empathetic and knowledgeable.

In the natural flow of workplace churn, new talent enters your organisation, bright eyed and eager to get out of the starting blocks to see what you have to offer. Employers need to find the best way to onboard new employees.

In tackling issues to protect mental health, organisations can ensure a thriving workplace with better outcomes and happier people, says Stella Andersen.

When the forecast for your organisation looks bleak, leaders have to make difficult decisions. Your employees will find it hard to find any silver lining, but there are ways to make it easier for them to understand and accept bad news.

The results of Gallagher’s State of the Sector 2021 survey are in. Here, we have pulled out six key findings of interest for internal communicators, but there are plenty more insights to explore within the report.

Covid-19 has been an opportunity for people to think about what their workplaces could and should look like. As new work environments take shape, wellbeing, transparency and culture must be core building blocks.

Communicating redundancies across a business is complex, but with the Covid-19 pandemic keeping many employees out of the workplace, organisations need to find ways to bring compassion into their virtual worlds.

Work is more than just a pay packet, says Cathryn Barnard, partner at Working The Future. Internal communicators need to ensure all messages around redundancies are delivered sensitively and with empathy.

Organisations need age diversity if they want to thrive, says Claire McCartney, senior policy adviser for resourcing and inclusion at CIPD.

When organisations treat diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) as a box-ticking exercise, and fail to implement the equity and inclusion aspects, it renders it null and void. What is the benefit to ethnic minority employees of working for your organisation if they’re overlooked and blocked from progressing?

Equity engaged its target audience as part of its communication to drive a shift in culture.

In a so-called post-truth world, inaccurate information, fake news and unreliable leadership have left employees unsure of what to believe. Sometimes the facts get in the way of the story we want to hear – or the story others want to tell us. Internal communication must work with leaders to provide solutions and messages employees can trust.

The novelty of vitrual gatherings has worn off quickly for our Voice columnist Merlot McSinna.

The person delivering your comms is as important as the message itself, says doctoral researcher in psychology Joseph Marks.

Firms such as WSP have realised that they cannot achieve environmental objectives without the commitment and enthusiasm of its people.

If understanding the history of internal communication is important for your work in the here and now, you need to know about Sir Basil Clarke, says Richard Evans.

When you need to clearly communicate essential information in a crisis, video is a powerful tool, says Christopher Bo Shields, chief creative officer and co-founder of video content provide Binumi Pro.

Organisations are relaxing the rules around how, when and where employees work – but flexible working isn’t an approach you can roll out without any thought.

In the fourth article in our Preparing for Impact series, we explore how clear communication was crucial in managing the euro’s turbulent introduction.

To protect your reputation and ensure your messages can be trusted, internal and external communicators must join together.

In the first in our Preparing for impact series, where we look at how communicators have dealt with external events, we look at how clear, regular communication was critical to keep staff updated and prepared amid uncertainty and change during Brexit.

They’re not cheap. There are faster and easier alternatives. They take up months 
of planning. And the scope for disaster is high. Live events sound like the stuff of 
IC nightmares – but they are an essential cog in any employee engagement wheel.

Communication is about more than just pushing information out. Successful organisations become even more successful when they continuously listen to what their internal audience is telling them.

Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind, considers how a manager’s communication style can help people feel happy and valued at work.

Our jobs take up a huge chunk of our lives, so it’s important that the work environment and the people around us makes us feel fulfilled, motivated, optimistic and valued. When the things that matter to us are missing, it can have a damaging effect on wellbeing, culture and performance.

Helping the workforce to maintain their wellbeing and have happy, stress-free days at work is part of the remit of any internal comms team. But what are the tensions IC practitioners face themselves and how do they handle the strain?

Organisations that only enable R&D colleagues to be leading edge are at a disadvantage. Taking on board groundbreaking suggestions from the entire workforce isn’t just a nice thing to do. Building a company-wide culture of employee-led innovation makes business sense.

Turn up for work at Midlands-based PKF Cooper Parry and the lively office landscape will be far removed from what you expect of an accountancy firm. As partner and chief people officer April Bembridge explains, an architectural rethink has helped create a healthier and happier environment for staff. 

Drab, featureless offices, devoid of social interaction, are disappearing. Today’s modern working environments are not only encouraging collaboration, but are being kitted out with design and architectural ideas that are improving wellbeing and productivity.

Leadership coach Nadine Powrie considers how internal communicators can apply the principles of change leadership theory to get into the mind of leaders.

One of the biggest transformations in UK history is set to bring significant changes to businesses and their employees. With Brexit teams getting ready for take-off, how do you talk to employees about what it means when you’re not completely sure of the route you’re taking or the final destination?

A charity's daring culture change campaign refocused its business and has created a rallying call for a sector that is often overlooked in society.

IoIC has been keeping up with the latest trends ever since its birth on 12 March 1949. But how has internal comms shapeshifted in the past 70 years? In the third part of a three-part series, we look at how trust and clarity have shaped 21st century IC.

In the second part of our feature celebrating 70 years of IoIC and looking at what matters to people in the workplace, we look at how leaders realised that people were their greatest asset and the value of empowering their workforce.

IoIC is possibly the coolest septuagenarian you know. It has been keeping up with the latest trends ever since its birth in 1949. But how has internal comms shapeshifted in the past 70 years? From printing presses to push technology, it’s been quite an evolution – and IoIC has been there every step of the way. Oh, the things we’ve seen...

Middle managers know the workforce better than anyone, so their ability to deliver messages well is key to an organisation’s success. How can IC teams provide them with what they need to construct their role as a model communicator?

Richard Chataway questions why science doesn’t have bigger role in internal comms, given its importance in other areas of our life.

When restricted to using channels that have been in place for many years, how can we make the everyday stand out?

The daily tasks of today's typical internal communicator may be distant memories in 10 or 15 years' time, replaced with new challenges. Looking ahead, what part of the job will become more imperative and what workplace adjustments are likely to disrupt the IC space?

Far from being outliers in the talent pool of potential new hires, executive assistants have skills that could be a huge contribution to an IC team, writes Joanne Pohl.

Work is a thing you do, not a place you go – but location still has a bearing on how connected you feel to your employer. In the first in a three-part series on engaging remote workers – from field, factory and sales staff to home workers and teams in smaller offices or retail sites – we look at why content and culture are key to keeping everyone connected.

IC professionals all agree they should have a seat at the top table, but what behaviours and attitudes are going to get – and keep – them there.

Increasingly, organisations are taking time to identify what is pulling employees to their business – and discovering that a positive culture and career development opportunities are more rewarding than a good salary. But how do you determine the benefits that are unique to your business?

The business partner model may be over 20 years old, but it continues to be a relevant role, reaping rewards both for internal comms and businesses at large.

Getting it right in the workplace for disabled people needs a whole organisation approach – and good communication is a key part of this, says Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum.

With mandatory reporting of the gender pay gap in organisations, there is nowhere to hide. The question is, how openly is data being communicated to employees?

New technology will only be effective in your workplace if your people are ready for it.

The growing adoption of social network platforms and digital collaboration tools mean intranets that haven’t kept up with the pace of technology are on the ropes. But modern intranets have many of the advantages and functions of their social rivals – and are rebounding into the IC channel mix. Is an intranet right for you, and how can you make it work with other online channels – and not fight against them?

Here are 10 tips for internal communicators to help data protection compliance become a matter of habit.

Dismiss email at your peril. With targeted messaging, inbox-based comms are heading for a revival.

Digital channels for internal comms provide endless data that can be used for measurement. But which stats are worth tracking? Do 1,000 likes equal 1,000 engaged employees? Can businesses really put a number on the value of digital?

Automation and artificial intelligence are taking businesses by storm. What are the benefits and pitfalls for internal comms, and how do you make sure that human and robot work together in harmony?

As recruitment consultants for the internal communication (IC) sector, VMAGROUP has conversations every day with a wide range of IC employers about what they are looking for in their hires. Executive director Andrew Harvey reflects on the common themes from VMA’s latest Inside Insight survey of over 670 UK IC professionals.

When you embark on a digital project, you can’t just leap off the starting block. The success of your new channel is as much in the planning as the technology itself.

Businesses that don’t improve their diversity “won’t last”, the PR and Communications Association (PRCA) has warned, as it sets out new guidelines for how businesses can do better.

External marketing has spoiled us by personalising content, taking in our every preference and desire. And now, employees expect internal messages to be targeted to their specific taste.

Internal communicators often develop or inherit a vast collection of channels, many of which are out of date or barely used. If employees aren’t sure where to go for information, the result is comms chaos. Here are 8 ideas for reassessing your channel mix to ensure your messages take the most effective route to their destination.

Millions of people have disabilities that affect how they communicate. How can internal communications professionals keep everyone in the loop and ensure all employees feel welcome and included?

The business environment has changed in the past 10 years. Offices are going global at a rapid rate and project teams are spread across multiple countries. Understanding international cultures, behaviours and language is increasingly becoming a part of modern working life.

10 things internal communications professionals can learn from customer experience.

Had enough of talking about how important customers are to your business, but feel not enough is being done to truly get your employees to think differently? Sarah Meurer from The Surgery considers what it takes to build a truly customer-obsessed culture inside your organisation.

Thinking of setting up a corporate newsroom, but don’t know where to start? You may be further along than you think, says Nick Andrews of Sequel Group.

The one thing we’ve always known about Brexit is that it “means Brexit”. Crystal clear, right? Many businesses are waiting for clarity on the journey ahead before talking about the changes, but employees need to know their businesses are at least thinking of the best way out.

In the third part in our series of measurement, we look at why you can't just take a casual look at the high percentages that come out of an all-staff survey.

Recruitment expert Christopher Berry believes more companies should revere passion as a quality in their empolyees.

Chris Leonard from SnapComms says IC needs to incorporate multi-touch, sequential internal content into its channel mix.

Most people with a criminal conviction have found that misconceptions about their past are a major barrier to employment. But more and more businesses are looking for opportunities to diversify their recruitment programmes.

As a leader, you need to give managers confidence that they can put their careers in your hands.

In the second part of our series on measurement, we look at why the traditional annual survey might not be the most effective route to get the vibe of your organisation.

When a major company development was announced, SABMiller’s microsite had to power up.

A project to make a long-lasting visual impact on Terex Trucks customers and visitors to the plant has engaged an entire workforce.

Making an impact on your business should be a matter of pride for communicators. Sheila Parry, founder of internal communications and employee engagement agency theblueballroom, considers how to make yourself heard with your leadership team.

Another social media fail, this time from the National Lottery, begs the question: why aren't marketing teams learning from others' mistakes?

A redundancy programme isn’t a positive time for most people, but they happen in organisations of all sizes – and there is a right and wrong way to go about it. Internal communicators need to advise leaders of the best way to tell employees the reasons for the change and how they will be supported. In short, don’t keep them in the dark.

Direct Line Group’s core value to “bring all of yourself to work” is at the heart of its user-generated internal channel.

Great partnerships succeed where egos are put to one side and complementary skills and experiences are used wisely to create the best product. HR and internal comms should go together like rock and roll, Lennon & McCartney... – but it’s not always the most harmonious of relationships.

Dominic Wylie, senior communication consultant at like minds, reports on how behavioural science can shape internal communication.

Few IC teams can invest in bespoke, high-tech channels to engage staff and ensure key messages are shared, but do they need to? When money’s too tight to mention, there are ways and means of making a little go a long way.

Jane Johnson, founder and executive director of FEEL Communications, went from a senior job-share role to setting up her own consultancy with a specialist focus on recruitment for comms professionals seeking part-time roles.

Organisations are turning to social network platforms to bring their employees together. But many are finding it far from easy to make these networks work.

We asked internal comms professionals to share their experiences and advice on making part-time or flexible working a success. In the first in our series, Rebecca Nicholls explains how she wanted to continue her career part-time after having a baby in late 2014 – but finding a role with a company she believed in didn’t come easy.

If ever a situation highlights the adage that prevention is better than cure, it’s a cyber attack.

The pay gap between men and women will be under greater scrutiny with the start of a new law requiring businesses to publish that their employees earn.

In part one of our four-part feature on measurement, we look at what IC teams should be thinking about when planning either their engagement survey or a more holistic measurement approac

One in four of your colleagues will suffer from a mental health issue this year – and most will do so privately. Leaders and internal comms have a role to play in creating a culture of openness.

If you’re only using the creative right side of your brain in internal comms, you’re doing half a job. You want the respect of your business’s leadership team? You need to think like a business leader.

Industrial action is an unpleasant experience for everyone. Internal communication has a major role to play in ensuring that the process of delivering messages is as agreeable as possible.

Print still holds its own as a channel, and many internal communicators still recognise the value and feel of printed comms.