?? Strategies Every New Communications Manager Should Adopt at Their New Company ??

So you started a new job as a Comms Manager or a Director even, what are some strategies you need to excel in your new role or better yet, show your organization just the value you bring to the table. Leverage these proven methods to hit the ground running and make a significant impact.

1. Conduct a Channel Audit ??

Modern organizations often face the challenge of comms channel sprawl. Over the years, numerous communication tools are introduced to meet evolving employee expectations and internal needs. However, without proper integration, this can lead to a confusing tech landscape, leaving communicators and employees overwhelmed.

Conducting a thorough channel audit is a great way to establish your value early on. Familiarize yourself with key applications and identify opportunities to consolidate and optimize your communication approach.

Steps for a Channel Audit:

- List all active channels.

- Evaluate each channel based on:

??- Duplicate functionality: Are there tools with overlapping features?

??- Reach: How much of your intended audience does each channel reach?

??- Silos: Is the tool used only by specific segments of the workforce?

??- Satisfaction: Do you have data on employee and communicator satisfaction with each channel?

??- Adoption and engagement: What percentage of your intended audience uses each channel and how frequently?

??- Competitiveness: Is the tool still considered best-in-class according to reports from Forrester, IDC, and Gartner?

2. Understand the Business Landscape ??

Building strong relationships is crucial in your first weeks. Identify current champions within the organization and work to fill important gaps. Establish connections with HR and IT leaders to position yourself for success.

Key Actions:

- Identify key allies and champions.

- Understand the established networks.

- Learn about the big-picture organizational goals.

Grasping what’s being discussed at the highest levels of the organization will help you align your strategy with the company’s objectives, making your contributions more valuable.

3. Tap into the Workforce Zeitgeist ??

Effective communication starts with understanding your audience. Learn about the different segments of your workforce, their interests, motivations, and challenges.

Steps to Understand Your Workforce:

- Analyze data from recent surveys and eNPS scores.

- Review platform analytics to identify engaged segments and their usage patterns.

- Conduct direct interactions: Organize focus groups, one-on-one interviews, or surveys to gather insights on employee perceptions, pain points, and priorities.

4. Craft a Clear Mission Statement ??

Often, internal comms teams lack clarity around their purpose, leading to challenges in proving their value. As a new manager, you have the opportunity to align your team behind a compelling mission, reset ways of working, and establish performance metrics.

Steps to Craft Your Mission Statement:

- Review existing materials.

- Speak to colleagues to understand differing perceptions.

- Align your mission with current business priorities.

Once you’re clear on your purpose, develop metrics to track success. Consider creating dashboards to report important outcomes, similar to revenue-generating functions.

5. Engage with the Global Comms Community ??

Avoid getting stuck in an echo chamber. Engage with the global internal comms community to learn from other enterprises and drive innovation.

Ways to Stay Connected:

- Join industry groups and forums.

- Attend conferences and webinars.

- Subscribe to industry newsletters like Unily’s EX Insights Digest for the latest trends.

6. Adapt to New Technology ??

Staying ahead in the communications field requires embracing new technology. As a new Comms Manager, being tech-savvy will enable you to streamline processes and enhance communication efficiency.

How to Adapt to New Technology:

- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest trends in communication technology.

- Attend Workshops and Training: Regularly participate in training sessions to learn about new tools and software.

- Experiment and Implement: Test new technologies and implement the ones that align with your communication goals.

7. Develop a Crisis Communication Plan ??

Being prepared for a crisis is essential. Developing a robust crisis communication plan ensures that your organization can handle unexpected events effectively and maintain its reputation.

Steps to Develop a Crisis Communication Plan:

- Identify Potential Crises: Consider various scenarios that could impact your organization.

- Create a Response Team: Assemble a team responsible for crisis communication.

- Draft Key Messages: Prepare key messages for different types of crises.

- Train Employees: Ensure that all employees are aware of the plan and their roles during a crisis.

#### Summing Up ??

Embracing these strategies will set you on a path to success as a new Communications Manager. By conducting a thorough channel audit, understanding the business landscape, tapping into the workforce zeitgeist, crafting a clear mission statement, engaging with the global comms community, adapting to new technology, and developing a crisis communication plan, you’ll be well-equipped to make a lasting impact.

Remember, your fresh perspective is a valuable asset. Use it to your advantage. With these strategies in your toolkit, you’ll not only navigate your new role with confidence but also lay the groundwork for a thriving communications function that drives organizational success. Stay curious, stay connected, and watch your efforts transform the way your organization communicates.

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