January highlights

Virtual course designed to help the modern communicator prevent burnout

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has launched a virtual professional and personal development course for modern communicators. With an increased level of burnout as a result of Covid-19, this unique course has been designed to help attendees balance a successful career with a fulfilled personal life.

Leap relaunches as a people communications agency focusing on employer brand

Leap Chichester, the creative and digital agency behind creative services agency, Leap London, has relaunched as Leap Create, a people communications agency. The move will see the agency refocus on internal comms and employer branding campaigns, with a particular emphasis on recruiting women and underrepresented groups into STEM roles.

Internal podcomms

Engaging Internal Comms - Measuring Employee Experience S3 E1

Engaging Internal Comms is a fortnightly podcast, where host Craig Smith talks to industry experts who are bringing new and innovative ideas to the Employee Engagement and Internal Communications profession.

In the first episode of the third series, award-winning communicator and author Nicholas Wardle shares his thoughts on why employee engagement directly impacts productivity and revenue. He speaks to Craig Smith about the key role communicators have to play in shaping employee experience.

 

Candid Comms - What IC pros need to know about the Great Resignation S3 E9

The Candid Comms podcast connects internal communications professionals to the latest advice and guidance. Hosted by international comms consultant, Rachel Miller of All Things IC, these weekly episodes provide practical ideas and advice on all things internal comms.

Celebrating its first birthday last week, Candid Comms podcast looked at the Great Resignation, and what internal communicators need to know about what is happening. Rachel Miller explores how to acknowledge and address the Great Resignation inside organisations. 

C-Suite Blueprint: Decoding Digital Comms - The Power of Internal Communications 

This podcast is designed for leaders who want strategies and tactics for organisational readiness and digital transformation. Each episode dives into stories from leaders that walk the fine line between strategy and tactics. 

In this episode Alison Drakeford, director of internal communications at Foundation Medicine, shares her top tips for optimising internal comms. 

 

IC insight 

Read the full feature here.

Nazir Ul-Ghani, head of Workplace from Facebook shares how to rebuild internal comms in a way that is inclusive of all types of workers.

"In 2020, our research found a disconnect between those outside of business HQ and leadership with close to half (48%) frontline managers saying that they do not feel empowered to make decisions that impact business goals."

"It’s an outdated concept that the closer you are to HQ, the more facetime you will have with the boss. As we move to more remote and distributed models for the long-term, it’s important that companies are proactive about getting rid of the pre-pandemic ‘office bias’ for good."

"Democratising access to leadership and information holds incredible potential for businesses, as it not only means employees can have a voice and feel valued, it also gives leaders a more realistic picture of the employee experience."

 

Reading & resources

Remotely Interested? by Jenni Field 

This downloadable research guide shares Redefining Communication's findings about effectively communicating with remote workers.

The People Business: How Ten Leaders Drive Engagement Through Internal Communications (Paperback)

This book shares insight into the internal communications strategies behind leading businesses like WPP, Heathrow Airport, Pizza Express, BG Groups and more. It looks at what 'good' looks like in internal communications, to demonstrate a clear impact on ROI and business performance.

 

Upcoming events and webinars

Gigification and the future of work with Firtstup - 10 Feb (3pm GMT)

Join Rupert Coghlan, principal solutions consultant from employee engagement providers Firstup, as he discusses how the pandemic has had a real impact on the shift towards gigification, alongside members of the simply team and case studies from internal communications leaders in two organisations.

The Internal Comms Masterclass by Staffbase and Ragan - 24 February (4pm GMT)

This interactive webinar is part of an award-winning series where attendees can ask questions, measure internal comms, and get inspiration from fellow communicators. If you can't make the live webinar, those who sign up will automatically receive a recording.

Purpose & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit by PR Daily - 1 March (6pm GMT)

This half-day summit goes beyond the acronyms to uncover how crafting communications rooted in purpose illuminates your values to engage all stakeholders, help earn media coverage to tell your story and, ultimately, measure the results that matter. Although this virtual summit takes place at 1pm Eastern Time, attendees will also receive access for their entire team to watch for 12 months.

Transforming Health & Safety Communication and Training by Big Picture People - 3 March (3pm GMT)

This free webinar will be a practical and informative session looking at how to add new dimension to health and safety education and communication. Attendees will learn how to raise awareness of health and safety within their organisation and support the development of a behavioural based safety culture.

Exploring the Big Internal Communication Challenges Facing Organizations in 2022 - 3 March (4pm GMT)

Endorsed by the IABC, the annual state of the sector report is the definitive global survey of the internal communication profession by Gallagher’s Employee Experience and Communication team. In this webinar, Siobhan Hammond and Amanda Sheps will explore some of the key themes covered in the 2021/22 report, informed by 1,300+ responses from communication and HR professionals around the world.

Digital workplace conference by Engage - London 10 March

This case-study driven virtual Digital Workplace Conference will examine the ways employee needs are changing and how to to cater for this workplace revolution. Delegates at the conference will witness case study content from organisations already implementing Digital Workplace strategies to improve employee and customer engagement

Coaching Comms Retreat - 24 March

This one-day intensive comms retreat in London will help attendees to start anew, branch out, build momentum and take action. Internal comms pros, Advita Patel, Jenni Field and Trudy Lewis, will provide tailored coaching to a group of no more than 20 people. Book your place via email.

How to review and plan your 2021-2022 internal comms by All Things IC

This online masterclass advises and supports participants as they reflect back on last year and look ahead to the next 12 months. The £299 cost includes 120 days' access to the course. Debbie West will lead the virtual course which consists of 44 lessons, seven videos and nine workbooks.

 

Internal Communications and Engagement Awards