Working in Internal Communications (what it’s REALLY like)

Summary

In this informative video, Joanna, a communications consultant, delves into the world of internal communications, explaining its significance within organizations. She shares her experiences from various sectors, detailing the responsibilities and evolution of roles from entry to senior levels. Joanna provides insights into the strategic importance of internal communications for aligning employees with company goals, and offers a glimpse into her journey from corporate roles to establishing her own consulting business, The Curious Roof, and her ventures in teaching and community building.

Takeaways

• 😀 Internal Communications is a branch of public relations focused on communicating within an organization to employees, often referred to as employee communications.
• 🔍 The goal of internal communications is to establish a shared understanding within the organization, helping employees connect to the business's purpose and strategy.
• 📚 Joanna, the speaker, emphasizes that internal communications is not merely about sharing information but translating complex business strategies into understandable messages for employees.
• 🚫 Joanna clarifies that internal communications is not the same as employee engagement, though they are closely linked, and suggests making a video to explain the difference if there's interest.
• 🏢 Joanna's background in sociology and her skills in writing, storytelling, and explaining complex ideas laid the foundation for her career in communications.
• 📈 She started her career in internal communications in a charity sector and later moved through various sectors like financial services, policing, and tech, highlighting the versatility of communications roles.
• 📝 In junior roles, internal communications involve a lot of tactical work like writing articles, editing, graphic design, and event logistics, offering a variety of tasks and daily challenges.
• 🔑 As one progresses to senior roles, the focus shifts from tactical work to strategic planning, advising leaders, and evaluating the impact of communications on business goals.
• 💼 Joanna shares her experience of being the first head of internal communications for the Irish National Police Force and creating their first internal communication strategy.
• 🏆 After a successful career in communications, Joanna set up her own consulting business, 'The Curious Roof', offering services in consulting, workshops, and training for both organizations and individual communicators.
• 👩‍🏫 Joanna also teaches a course on strategic internal communication, demonstrating that a career in communications can lead to opportunities in education and mentorship.

Q & A

What is internal communications?

Internal communications is a branch of the public relations industry that focuses on communicating within an organization to its employees. It involves sharing information and helping employees understand the business's strategy and purpose.

What are the main responsibilities of someone in an internal communications role?

Responsibilities include writing and editing articles for internal newsletters, creating content for the intranet, organizing events, creating presentations, and translating complex business strategies into understandable messages for employees.

What is the main goal of internal communications?

The main goal is to establish a shared understanding within an organization, helping employees connect to the organization's purpose and understand how their work contributes to its success.

How does internal communications differ from external communications?

Internal communications focus on communicating with employees within the organization, while external communications involve reaching out to customers, media, and the public through campaigns, press releases, and other methods.

What is a common misconception about internal communications?

A common misconception is that it is just about organizing social events or acting as an internal postal service. In reality, it is a critical business function that involves aligning employees with the organization's strategy and goals.

How did Joanna get started in internal communications?

Joanna started in internal communications while working in an organization that introduced a new strategy. She recognized the need for effective communication to help employees understand the strategy and decided to focus on translating complex information into meaningful messages.

What types of industries has Joanna worked in within internal communications?

Joanna has worked in various industries, including the charity sector, financial services, policing, and technology.

What changes when moving from a junior to a senior role in internal communications?

In a junior role, the work is more tactical, involving writing, editing, and creating content. In a senior role, the focus shifts to strategic work, advising leaders, building communication strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of communications.

What should someone consider when interviewing for an internal communications job in a new company?

It is important to ask about the company's plans for the internal communications team, the level of investment in internal communications, the scope to hire a team, and the available budget.

What are the two main types of work Joanna does as a communications consultant?

Joanna works with organizations on communication projects, such as reviews and workshops, and supports individual professional communicators through her membership community, the Curious Tribe, which offers training, coaching, and networking opportunities.