Internal Communication

Amazon is not doing itself any favors with its recent handling of employee relations. For a company that reported $75.5 billion in first quarter earnings, up 26 percent from Q1 2019, Amazon is failing to… Continued

Companies are looking at how to pivot their external communications. For both internal and external communications they are adapting to new technologies and ways of working.

PRNEWS has argued often that collecting data is critical to help communicators understand their audiences. At this moment, when most things are closed or slowed significantly, it seems a new poll or survey is created every minute. This plethora of data is helping communicators get an accurate picture of the new normal.

The pandemic has brought internal communications to the forefront. Even though this moment has changed many things, the communicator’s struggle remains getting heard through the noise. As a change of pace, some internal communicators are turning to pre-recorded private podcasts to keep employees informed.

In certain parts of Europe, where the novel coronavirus is a few weeks ahead of US hotspots, audiences have begun to reach the information and emotional saturation point. Many are no longer watching the news. PR pros have found it’s important to maintain a positive approach in their internal and external communications.

We must fight against the inclination to label diversity, equity and inclusion as “nonessential” at a time when it is more relevant and pertinent than ever.

It’s easy to see why some, if not all comms pros are suffering from stress or anxiety induced by the coronavirus. Longer hours and larger workloads while homeschooling children or spending days in isolation have great effects on mental health and well-being. We spoke to several agencies and practitioners to see how they are supporting staff and themselves during this time.

Since it was nearing tax time, we wanted to interview a communicator in the tax industry. Then the pandemic arrived, and April 15 became just another day. Jesse Hamlin, who runs communications for Avalara, tells us that it’s almost always tax time somewhere in the world. She discusses how her team is monitoring its employees’ needs during this difficult moment.

As news fatigue sets in, communicators are left with an uphill battle. The situation changes daily, with deaths and infections ever-increasing and new policies and information about how individuals can stay safe being updated constantly. People still need information, the challenge for PR is to make sure they get it.

The pandemic has thrown many of us into a frenzy. Now is the time for PR leaders to proceed with calm and rely on principles and tactics that have served you well throughout the years. Moving forward, creativity, transparency and management skills will be in demand.