What do you do if your corporate communications strategy is failing to engage employees?

Each employee and each business have their own unique traits. What works to keep one group of employees engaged might not work for another. So, when you're picking ways to connect with your team, identification of gaps is needed. Think about how they'll match with how you currently communicate inside your company. For example: See if the mail being sent to employees contains that personalisation flavour? Nobody enjoys getting an email that feels like it was sent to a massive list of people. Emails that are personalized with specific subject lines get opened much more often than generic ones. So customize both the subject line and the main content of your emails based on who you're sending them to.

Colleague insights are invaluable when building any type of plan for internal engagement. Understand the problem before offering a solution, and then revisit that problem statement periodically to 1. Measure impact and 2. Determine if your audience's needs have changed.

A crucial aspect often overlooked in corporate communications is the fundamental need to understand employees deeply—recognizing their needs, doubts, and aspirations. Engagement falters not merely due to the inadequacy of strategies but primarily because of a lack of genuine understanding and interaction between employees and top management. To mend this gap, it's essential to prioritize listening sessions and interactive exchanges where employees feel genuinely heard. Such initiatives not only foster trust but also cultivate a culture of openness and mutual respect. By placing emphasis on understanding before strategizing, companies can achieve a more engaged and cohesive workforce, driving both individual and organizational success.

D'après mon expérience, si les employés ne sont pas engagés cela vient de plusieurs choses : - L'information ne leur correspond pas - La densité d'information est trop ou peu dense - Le canal d'information n'est pas le bon - Le moment et la régularité de communication ne sont pas bons

If your corporate communications strategy is failing to engage employees, it's important to identify the root causes and take proactive steps to address them. Here are some actions you can take: Seek Feedback, Identify Communication Gaps, Tailor Communication Channels, Personalize Communication, Provide Context and Transparency, Promote Two-Way Communication, Empower Leaders and Managers, Celebrate Successes and Recognize Contributions, Evaluate and Iterate By taking a proactive and strategic approach to addressing communication challenges, you can enhance employee engagement, foster a positive work environment, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.

Revising Internal Communication Goals Feedback-Based Objectives: Base the goals of internal communications on the actual feedback from employees. Alignment with Corporate Mission: Ensure that communication goals are closely aligned with the company's overall mission. Dynamic Goal Updating: Regularly review and adjust goals in response to changes within the company and the external environment. Sustainability-Oriented Goals: Integrate aspects of sustainable development and social responsibility into the goals of internal communications. Transparency in Goal Setting: Make the process of setting goals as open and transparent as possible for all employees.

As you refine your goals, infuse authenticity and flexibility into your communications strategy. It's crucial to adapt and evolve with your team's changing needs. Foster a culture where feedback is not only encouraged but acted upon, making your employees feel genuinely part of the journey. Experiment with different mediums and messaging to see what resonates, whether it's video updates from the CEO, interactive Q&A sessions, or spotlighting employee stories. Ultimately, a strategy that's alive, responsive, and genuinely reflective of your collective values and objectives will drive deeper engagement. #AuthenticCommunication #StrategyEvolution

Moving from a multichannel to an omnichannel strategy in internal communications is also crucial to delivering more accurate content to employees. While both consist of utilizing multiple channels, the latter focuses on providing a seamless experience and coehesive message across diverse channels. The goal is to know which channels best suit each audience and tailor your messages accordingly, instead of replicating the same material on different platforms.

Embracing segmentation in your corporate communication strategy is like tailoring a bespoke suit: it fits better, feels better, and is genuinely appreciated. Start by understanding the unique tapestry of your workforce and then craft messages that resonate on a personal level. This might mean developing targeted newsletters for different departments, creating video content that highlights stories relevant to specific teams, or even hosting department-specific town halls. Remember, personalization shows care and attention to detail. It demonstrates a commitment to meeting your employees where they are, enhancing relevance and engagement. #PersonalizedCommunication #EngageEffectively

Even though some communications require strictly formal language, the vast majority do not. Using more informal language, playing with emojis, writing shorter paragraphs and highlighting the key messages in a communications piece with a different font are good ways to make the message more appealing. If possible, also personalize your message with the recipient's name.

Crafting your message with clarity and impact is akin to lighting a beacon that guides and inspires your team. Steer clear of the corporate speak; instead, opt for language that's relatable and straightforward. Whether you're sharing updates, celebrating wins, or navigating challenges, ensure your messages resonate on a human level. Use storytelling to connect, illustrating how individual contributions fit into the bigger picture and why they matter. Consistency in your communication reinforces trust and aligns with your brand's voice, making your messages not just heard but felt. Remember, it's not just what you say; it's how you make them feel. #ClearCommunication #MakeItResonate

Nailing the delivery of your corporate messages is the final piece of the engagement puzzle. It's not just about the message itself, but where and when it lands. Diversify your channels to meet employees on platforms they're already engaged with, whether it's an internal social network, email, or even a quick video message. Timing is everything—aim for moments when your team is most receptive. Quality control is non-negotiable; a message riddled with errors can detract from its credibility. And remember, the loop isn't closed until you've gathered feedback to gauge the impact and adjust your strategy accordingly. Let's make every message count. #StrategicDelivery #FeedbackLoop

Interactive Q&A Sessions: Regularly conduct question and answer sessions with management to increase employee engagement. Working with Employee Brand Ambassadors: Engage influential employees as brand ambassadors to spread corporate values and culture.

The corporate communication strategy may fail to engage employees if they feel they have not been drawn into the process of developing and executing said strategy. Leverage surveys, quick polls via the intranet or interactive breakfast meetings to get an idea of what their needs are. Once this is established -Integrate this into the strategy. -Create opportunities for employees to be part of the preparatory tasks behind some of your internal comms initiatives. This allow them to take ownership of its success while also enabling them to build other relevant skills. -Periodically revisit via M&E to ensure that the activities in your strategy are still relevant to the current needs of your employees & align with your organisation's goals.

When corporate communications fail to engage, consider an employee advocacy program. It's a powerful method to align employees with corporate objectives and values, turning them into brand ambassadors. This approach fosters a deeper connection to the company's mission, encouraging active participation and spreading corporate messages organically. In my view, engaged employees are more likely to embody company values and share their enthusiasm, enhancing the brand's visibility and credibility. Such programs not only boost internal morale but also amplify our reach and impact externally.

Always ask your colleagues for their opinion, before you implement any strategy - a sort of A/B testing,. Create a focus group of employees who represent different internal stakeholders and actively involve them in the strategy design process. Our job is to guide the process, not to act as the smartest ones in the room ??

Employees are more likely to engage when communication is clear, relevant, and personalized to their roles and interests. Tailoring messaging to different teams or departments can help ensure resonance. Short, easily consumable videos can also be helpful in capturing employees' attention and delivering key messages efficiently. By leveraging the power of visuals and storytelling in brief video snippets, organizations can communicate important updates, initiatives, and company values.

When corporate communications fail to engage employees, it's essential to reassess the messaging strategy and communication channels being used. Start by soliciting feedback from employees through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one discussions to understand their preferences, concerns, and suggestions for improvement. This insight can help identify areas where communication may be falling short and guide the development of a more effective approach. Additionally, consider diversifying communication methods to reach employees more effectively. Incorporating interactive platforms, such as town hall meetings, forums, or online collaboration tools, can foster greater engagement and dialogue.