The future of work is here, and internal communications are essential to managing and leading hybrid teams. As organizations continue to adopt hybrid work models, powerful corporate communication is even more critical in digital work environments, where employees may feel a greater sense of disconnection due to remote work, time zones, and flexible schedules.
A strong internal communications strategy can build a strong corporate culture and is proven to boost employee engagement, team morale, and performance. It’s often difficult to know where to start. In this series, we will explore key tips for building strong internal communications in a hybrid work environment based on our own practices and what we recommend to clients.
This week, we’re looking at the role of digital channels in building community and mastering multi-channel communications.
Where is the central “home base” in a hybrid world?
Your company’s central communication platforms or intranet can be especially powerful tools to build culture in a hybrid world by acting as this home base, where employees “return to,” spend downtime, or contribute to and absorb the workplace culture around them.
Think of your intranet especially as more than a place to store information. It can be the central hub where employees engage with the company and connect with one another. It can be a place where your company starts to develop a unique internal personality, an employee brand – ideally, one that connects to the external brand.
However, the choice of platforms and channel mix for internal communications in hybrid working, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Workspace, must be met with the reality of what channels leaders will actually know how to use. Leaders must be actively communicating and participating in these channels, as well as engaging in communication initiatives, in order for any of them to be effective and to foster a positive company culture.
If possible, communicators should be at the table when deciding what platforms to use. You want your central communications platform especially to be:
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The go-to place for employees to find out what’s happening at your company told via general announcements, policy pages, and company newsletters.
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The dynamic platform for real conversation and connection among employees, tapping into employee-generated content. For instance, there could be a dedicated area to share personal photos and celebrate team success.
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The chance for your organization to express a unique internal personality that is informed by how employees authentically express themselves.
To maintain the momentum of the intranet, it’s essential to keep the platform up-to-date and dynamic.
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Implement “Community Builders.” Any employee can play the role of “Community Builder” and start conversations that connect the team. Identify these emerging community leaders, connect with them, and discuss their perspective and direction in this role.
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Ask for feedback from employees and direct them to a singular location/form where they can do so.
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Define key ownership roles for all the above. To avoid intranet overload, define an owner. You may even establish an Intranet committee that bridges user experience and employee experience together, and who can decide the governance of the intranet, such as what content is published, who can publish it, and how it is organized.
All in all, a strong internal communications strategy that leverages digital channels can help build a strong culture in a hybrid work environment. It’s important to choose the right platforms and channel mix that leaders will actively use, and to keep the platform dynamic and true to what your organization values.
About Uniity
Uniity is an outsourced employee communications agency that brings decades of experience into businesses, quickly.
Our team of strategists, creatives and production specialists seamlessly integrates into organizations. We work with your people to elevate existing capabilities and to create new ones – to fulfill all your employee communication needs.
We want to hear your communication challenges. Connect with Sarah McCarten, Director of Client Success, to share your story.