Internal Champions for your comms strategy and why its important

You’ve just launched a fantastic new company initiative—innovative, efficient, and poised to revolutionize your team’s work. But weeks later, adoption is slow, and confusion fills the breakroom. What went wrong? ??

The answer often lies in a communication gap.

Internal champions are the trusted voices within your organization. They’re the colleagues everyone turns to for advice, the ones who spark discussions and inspire action. By leveraging their influence, you can bridge communication gaps and enhance your internal communications strategy.

Let’s dive into how you can harness the power of internal champions to drive positive change within your organization. ??

### Who are Internal Champions?

Effective communication within an organization is the bedrock of success. Studies by Gallup show that companies with strong internal communication are 20% more likely to achieve their financial targets. However, traditional top-down messaging can only go so far.

This is where internal champions step in. These are your employees—from all levels—who command respect, possess strong communication skills, and naturally influence their colleagues. By leveraging their voice and perspective, you can create a more dynamic and impactful communication strategy. Here’s what defines them:

- Trusted Advisors: Employees known for their reliability and good judgment. Colleagues seek them out for advice on both professional and personal matters.

- Respected Figures: Individuals who inspire trust and admiration through their expertise, work ethic, or positive attitude.

- Communication Powerhouses: Those with strong communication skills who can clearly explain ideas, engage audiences, and tailor messages to different groups.

Key Takeaway: Internal champions can emerge from any level of the organization, not just leadership. They might be the team leader who consistently delivers innovative solutions, the HR representative known for empathy and clear explanations, or even the new hire who brings fresh perspectives and asks insightful questions. Their influence stems from their genuine connection with colleagues, not their position on the organizational chart.

### Why Leverage Internal Champions?

While important, traditional communication channels can often lack a key ingredient: trust. Employees bombarded with information and messages from leadership can sometimes feel distant or impersonal. This is where internal champions shine.

Here’s how they can supercharge your communication strategy:

1. Increased Employee Engagement: Employees are far more likely to trust information from a peer than from traditional top-down communication channels. By leveraging this internal network of trusted voices, you can create a communication strategy that resonates with your workforce and gets results. ??

2. Improved Information Dissemination: Internal champions act as communication bridges, amplifying key messages across departments and ensuring everyone is on the same page. They translate complex jargon into easy-to-understand language, ensuring everyone grasps the essence of the message. ??

3. Enhanced Culture Building: Company culture isn’t built in a boardroom; it thrives on everyday interactions and shared experiences. Internal champions can be powerful advocates for your company’s values, promoting a sense of community and belonging among employees. ??

### Identifying Internal Champions

There’s no single right answer when it comes to identifying internal champions. The key is to look for individuals who demonstrate the characteristics we discussed earlier: trusted, respected, and strong communicators.

To uncover a diverse group of internal champions, consider the following approaches:

1. Employee Engagement Surveys: Look for individuals who consistently score high in communication, trust in leadership, and willingness to help colleagues.

2. Social Media Activity (Internal Platforms): Analyze internal communication channels to see who consistently generates likes, comments, and shares. These individuals likely have a knack for communication and influencing others.

3. Participation in Company Initiatives and Discussions: Observe who actively participates in company initiatives, volunteers for committees, and consistently offers valuable contributions during meetings or discussions.

4. Formal Nomination Process: Consider establishing a formal nomination process where employees can anonymously identify their peers who they consider to be influential.

### Engaging with Internal Champions

Promoting a culture of trust, empowerment, and collaboration can turn your internal champions into your greatest communication assets. They’ll become your voice within the organization, amplifying your messages, promoting a positive culture, and driving employee engagement and success.

Here’s how to cultivate strong and genuine relationships with your internal champions:

- Build Trust and Transparency: Hold regular meetings to update them on company initiatives, address concerns, and answer questions.

- Empowerment is Key: Provide training on communication best practices, offer access to company data and resources, and include opportunities to develop public speaking skills.

- Formalize the Network (Optional): Consider establishing a formal program for collaboration. Authenticity is key; strong relationships are crucial.

### Success Stories: Examples of Internal Champions in Action

The power of an internal champion strategy isn’t just theoretical. Here are a couple of real-world examples showcasing how internal champions have positively impacted communication within organizations:

1. Boosting Employee Engagement at Deloitte: Deloitte leveraged internal champions to address declining employee engagement. They identified passionate employees from various departments, trained them on communication best practices, and hosted “fireside chats” with senior leaders. The result? A significant increase in employee engagement scores.

2. Driving Cultural Change at IBM: IBM implemented an internal champion program to foster a culture of innovation. They identified employees who exemplified the company’s core values and empowered them to share their stories and experiences through various communication channels. This not only boosted employee morale but also encouraged a more collaborative and innovative work environment.

These examples highlight the transformative potential of internal champions. By harnessing their voice and influence, organizations can create a more engaged, informed, and successful workforce. ??

Conclusion

Having internal champions in your communication plan is highly beneficial. By utilizing their influence, trustworthiness, and communication abilities, you can foster a workforce that’s more engaged, knowledgeable, and connected. ??

By establishing connections, supporting your champions, and tackling any obstacles that may arise, you can steer your organization toward success. Therefore, the significance of internal champions in communication strategies cannot be overstated.

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