Internal Communication

Internal communication has become critically important as 90 percent of Americans are homebound. Here are four tips that can propel your internal communication effort during coronavirus and at other times.

It’s a useful coincidence that the PRSA chief also is a veteran healthcare communicator. After our initial visit with T. Garland Stansell during the very early moments of the coronavirus outbreak, we thought it was time to ask him how he thinks communicators are doing now, two months into the pandemic. The actions taken and message sent will linger in the public’s mind long after the pandemic subsides, he says.

As part of our coronavirus interview series, we spoke with Miri Rodriguez, the award-winning storyteller. Known for her work with Microsoft and as an advisor to Adobe and Walmart, among others, we discussed what stories are breaking through during coronavirus. We also wondered how leaders who’ve not shown an empathetic side previously, can adopt a more human approach during the pandemic.

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.