Internal communications is always evolving. Hybrid work, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the constant struggle against email overload demand that communicators step up their game. At Google, I'm passionate about creating sales enablement programs that truly engage and enable growth. That means my internal campaigns need to cut through the noise and drive action. These five tools are helping to level up these internal comms strategies and achieve even greater success:
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Employee-Driven Content
- Why it Matters: Tap into the power of authenticity! People are 83% more likely to engage with content recommended by a friend or colleague. Empowering employees to become content creators not only benefits communication efforts, but also gives the team a voice.
- How to Use It:
- Identify internal influencers: Seek out those passionate individuals who have expertise and are natural storytellers.
- Provide support: Offer guidance on storytelling and content creation to help them craft compelling narratives.
- Amplify their voices: Share employee-generated content across your company channels (newsletters, intranet, social media (if appropriate)).
- Recognize and reward: Publicly acknowledge and appreciate employees who contribute, fostering a culture of sharing.
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Leverage AI to Improve Your Content
- Why It Matters: AI is the new secret weapon! It can significantly speed up writing tasks and spark creativity, freeing up users to focus on strategy.
- How to Use it:
- Idea generation: Use tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to brainstorm fresh campaign concepts and messaging.
- Content enhancement: Paste drafts into AI tools and experiment with prompts to refine writing (e.g., "make this more concise," "translate this into Spanish," "adjust the tone to be more encouraging").
- Accessibility: Explore AI-powered tools for language translation, content summarization, and creating alt text for images to ensure your messages reach everyone.
- Stay up to date: The AI landscape is constantly evolving. Keep an eye out for new tools and features that can further enhance internal communications.
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Create Interactive Content for Two-Way Communication
- Why it Matters: Say goodbye to passive audiences! Interactive content like quizzes, polls and competitions boosts engagement, knowledge retention, and injects fun into communications.
- How to Use It:
- Explore user-friendly platforms: Choose tools like Canva, Slido or SurveyMonkey that allow users to create interactive content without needing advanced design or technical skills.
- Gather feedback: Use polls and surveys to understand employee opinions and preferences, allowing internal communicators to tailor messaging and delivery over time.
- Create fun: Incorporating interactive elements into communications increases the likelihood of employees reading and engaging with your messages.
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Data Analytics Dashboards
- Why it Matters: Don't just guess—know your impact! Measure the effectiveness of your internal comms campaigns to demonstrate their value and identify areas for improvement.
- How to Use It:
- Track key metrics: Monitor content reach, employee feedback, and channel effectiveness using analytics dashboards.
- Analyze data to optimize: Identify trends, understand audience preferences, and refine the communication strategies.
- Report on successes: Use data to showcase the impact of internal comms on employee engagement and business outcomes.
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Mobile-First Platforms
- Why it Matters: Meet employees where they are—on their phones! Optimize internal comms for mobile devices to ensure the messages are seen.
- How to Use It:
- Choose a mobile-responsive platform: Ensure the intranet or communication platform provides a seamless experience on any device.
- Utilize mobile-friendly formats: Create content that is easy to consume on smaller screens (e.g., short videos, concise articles, infographics).
- Leverage push notifications: Use push notifications strategically for urgent updates or critical announcements.
Embracing these tools and technologies can transform internal communications. With a little creativity and the right resources, your internal comms team can enjoy unprecedented success!
Lauren Cursiter is Global Marketing and Communications Manager at Google.