What do you do if you're an internal communicator trying to navigate new technologies and digital platforms?

Seek guidance from consultants who specialise in the particular technology or app - they will provide support, guidance and training to bring everyone up to speed.

Another 'shiny' tool might not be what you need. In fact, too much tech might be getting in way of what's really important. Ask yourself: Why? Who will use it? What are their needs so they can use it effectively? What are the opportunity costs associated with its use? It's necessary to re-orient, and remember that it's not the tool itself - it's the person using the tool and their reasons which make the difference.

Be open and curious. Set some time to experiment and look at the data you get. Don't expect transformative results immediately. Try and find one leader or group that are willing to give it a go, as no matter what the technology, the change is with people

é importante definir uma ferramenta para que todos fa?am uso, pois possibilita mais conex?o, além de avitar que, por cada colaboradora escolha uma ferramenta diferente perca por exemplo trabalhos ou arquivos importantes de um projetos. Por isso, ao escolher uma ferramenta é fundamental treinar as pessoas para o uso da tecnologia/ferramenta escolhida e assim agilizar o processo de adapta??o.

Take the time to research and explore different technologies and digital platforms that are relevant to internal communication. Consider factors such as usability, features, integration capabilities, security, and cost when evaluating potential solutions. Invest in your own professional development by attending training sessions, workshops, or online courses focused on digital communication tools and platforms. Many technology providers offer tutorials, documentation, and support resources to help users get started.

Be prepared to adapt and iterate as you navigate the implementation of new technologies and digital platforms. Embrace change, remain flexible, and be open to adjusting your approach based on evolving needs and feedback from users.

After graduation, you must maintain your student outlook to stay up to date and progress. Of course, confidence in your skills is also important. Digital platforms and new technologies prove every day that the world is changing very quickly and that we must keep pace to remain competitive. Don't be afraid of change and accept it to progress faster.

Keep yourself informed about the latest trends and advancements in communication technologies. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and adapt quickly to changes in the digital landscape.

Encourage a culture of continuous learning and innovation within your organization. Promote knowledge sharing, encourage employees to explore new technologies, and celebrate successes and lessons learned along the way.

Invest in your professional development by continuously learning about new technologies and digital platforms. Take advantage of training resources, online courses, and networking opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

Bringing others along with you in a learning journey to share experiences of new technologies is more fun than doing it on your own! Here's my approach- involve your team from the start. Share insights, discuss potential impacts, and encourage an open conversation either via a chat group or 15 minute check in calls. To make the barrier to entry easier, provide comprehensive training content in video or step by step guide format to ease the learning curve. Remember, make it fun..... the goal is to empower your team to leverage these tools to enhance their work, not to overwhelm them.

Involve your colleagues and team members in the process of adopting new technologies. Encourage open communication, collaboration, and feedback to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the new tools.

Evaluating the benefit a new technology brings by setting clear objectives and tracking metrics, you can ensure that these tools are not just new feature rich technologies, but effective too. In my experience, don't underestimate the focus needed on adapting ways of working and effective change management. Listen to the people using the new tools and feedback to the 'tool owners' on the experience as it helps all parties go in a positive direction.

BE SMART! The essence of each project start is to define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant objectives. An obvious basis, but essential to always repeat it as often as possible if you want to guarantee the success of a project. The advantage of new technologies is that the measurement tools are very numerous, accessible and within reach.

Regularly assess the impact of the new technologies on your communication strategies and objectives. Monitor key metrics, gather feedback from stakeholders, and make adjustments as needed to optimize performance and outcomes.

Iterating and adapting to new technologies is part of the evolving landscape for any role now as the rate of change is so fast. Adapting and refining strategies is no longer an annual planning task, and should be a monthly review of evaluating current tools, while keeping the organisations needs in focus. Experimenting and measuring impact of tools and new features should be part of the monthly reviews.

Be flexible and willing to iterate on your communication strategies based on feedback and insights gained from using the new technologies. Adapt to changing circumstances and user needs to ensure ongoing success and effectiveness.

Well, start by acknowledging that new technologies, including AI, have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of internal communications, just like any other tech out there. So, what can you do? Dedicate some time outside of office hours to explore these new technologies—even if it means shelling out a few extra bucks from your own pocket. Trust me, it'll only enrich your CV and enhance your overall work life.

Don't forget to consider factors such as data privacy and security when implementing new technologies. It's important to prioritize the protection of sensitive information and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies. Additionally, consider the accessibility of the new platforms to ensure that all employees can effectively use and benefit from them.

When trying to navigate the world of new technologies and platforms, I keep my eyes open to see if any new technology can enhance what I'm already doing. Having a 'can do' attitude is essential. You need to be brave to embark on a new challenge. I remember doing research into most suitable event apps for a flagship, customer-facing event that I was managing a few years ago. I decided to buy 'off the shelf' functionalities and 'back-end-develop' an app that was fit for my purpose. I procrastinated for a while as I was a novice / had no expertise, but once I started, I loved the process. I also had to create content and test the app at various stages. At the end, it turned out to be one of my biggest achievements.