“You can have brilliant ideas . . . but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t go anywhere.”
- Lee Lacocca
Communication. We communicate every single second of the day (93% of communication is non-verbal in the form of body language and tone). And, it takes successful communication in order to foster, build, and maintain relationships within our own individual lives. But, when you scale the situation to an actual company (especially the bigger ones), the issue of communication is magnified. It is often overlooked, but it has a serious impact and effect on a company’s culture and efficiency.
Here is a video that highlights major statistics on just how important internal communications really is:
So, companies actually hire internal communications managers because it is a huge investment for them. By doing this, they are able to increase productivity within the workplace and create positive relationships amongst co-workers. Here are just some of the day-to-day responsibilities an internal communications manager would have, as provided by Sheryl Bird, former Assistant Vice President of Putnam Investments:
- Manage employees responsible for communicating corporate mission and initiatives through internal publications, intranet sites, and mass emails
- Initiate and successfully transition editorial content from several employee newsletters to online environment
- Direct the design of department’s intranet site to deliver key messaging
- Host focus groups and conducted online surveys to increase the effectiveness of communications tools
- Utilize employee feedback and market research, gained senior management support to streamline communications tools and improve employee engagement and increase readership
- Partner with customer service support teams to create a communications architecture around a year-long systems conversion to increase awareness, build confidence, and boost morale. Successfully communicate all changes and impacts to various target audiences to ensure employee readiness
- Create executive-level communications for corporate-wide distribution. Collaborate with senior managers to effectively deliver key messages pertaining to outstanding quality service and employee appreciation
Holding the position of Chief Communications Officer, Senior Communications Specialist, and the like requires one to report to the very top of the company too. It is a very high position within the company and is one that you can make a durable and successful career out of.
What is really cool about this field, though, is that you don’t only have to work within a company to be an internal communications specialist. You can be a full-time freelancer on training and development for these companies as well. Just take a look at Camille Preston, who started AIM Leadership as her company. She has been able to have a successful career freelancing in this industry, having serviced companies like Fannie Mae, Capital One, Red Cross, the US Department of Treasury, and the US Army. Yes, you can even get work from our own government!
How can you get started in internal communications?
- Take courses that focus on interpersonal and organizational communication. Communication classes are important, but don’t forget that many management business courses are incredibly valuable as well!
- Join professional communication chapters such as the IABC and PRSA. These organizations put on phenomenal events that allow you to learn more about the industry and network with professionals!
- Get involved in the online community. Start finding blogs on the topic and be a part of the discussion. LinkedIn is also a fantastic resource to connect with existing professionals in the field and interact with them in many of the groups
Main Author: Kevin Mandeville
Contributing Authors/Editors: Daniel Janis, Alison Lewis, Linsey Morse
