Internal communication in the time of flexible schedule

Internal communication in the time of flexible schedule

• Internal communication has evolved significantly in the context of remote work, adopting innovative digital tools such as podcasts, live streaming and outdoor meetings to keep employees engaged.
• The main themes of internal communication have extended from employee information and physical health, to mental health, wellbeing and loyalty, helping to increase motivation and team cohesion.
• Constant monitoring and evaluation of the results of internal campaigns helps to adjust strategies, create brand ambassadors and achieve measurable results within the organization.

I don't know others how they are, but I, when I think about the most important campaigns worked in the era of flexible scheduling, the first ones that come to mind are those of internal communication. Nothing unusual, considering that in 2020 employees and employers suddenly had to adapt to the new way of working from home, a form almost unheard of in the Romanian work system at that time.

Even today, the situation has not changed radically, as internal communication has shifted in the last 3 years from an acute need to keep employees informed and engaged, even from a distance, to a form of loyalty and employer branding.

Internal communication tools

Depending on the specifics and needs of each organization, companies have had to create new internal communication tools, mostly digital. Some fast and easy to manage (Whatsapp groups for teams, private Facebook groups for the company, etc.), others more complex, which continue today:

Podcasts

If 4-5 years ago customers were quite reluctant to approve and implement such a new and modern format at that time, with the onset of the pandemic, podcasts experienced a rapid growth in Romania, turning them perhaps into the most current media formats today.

The fact that they allowed discussions/dialogues to be carried out between several people, even remotely, led many companies to want to launch such an internal tool, be it in audio or video format.

Live streaming

Video remains one of the formats used in internal communication, even more so since it is broadcast live. From limited strategic meetings or large company-wide events, to entertainment moments or product launches, live streaming has given companies the opportunity to get closer to their people and engage them in dialogue.

Encounters in nature

Traditional teambuilding has taken a different form lately. Companies have become aware of the need for employees to come together physically, even in narrower formulas. Thus, gradually, with the lifting of restrictions, they began to organize short outdoor meetings with members of each team.

A kind of one-day teambuilding, organized 100% in nature, to help employees disconnect (from the daily routine) and connect with each other.This modality also allowed new employees or those of the type blue collarsinteract and be informed about the latest company news.

Objectives and results of internal communication

Communication Themes

If the first briefings in the pandemic focused on accommodating to the new way of working and ensuring physical health, the following ones focused on mental health and restoring the relationship in the team. In less than a year, we have developed together with our clients programs of Wellbeingand personal development, coaching sessions, entertainment moments that provide employees with a balance between personal and professional life.

In addition to then, today companies are developing initiativesthat increase the interaction, motivation and loyalty of employees in the workplace.

Monitoring and results

Continuous monitoring with the right research tools brings results that help companies adjust internal communication strategies, respond to unmet needs and create brand ambassadors, through the lessons generated.

One of my reference campaigns in the last 3 years is #întreNoi,developed for our client CEZ Romania. The main objective was to increase the degree of interaction between employees, with the launch of the new VMV strategy — vision, mission, values — of the company.

From the mechanism for identifying and defining the VMV philosophy, to the follow-up and evaluation tools, all led to incredible results that ranked the campaign among the finalists of the SABRE EMEA 2023 competition. The case study of the campaign can be completed herein.

The discussion remains an open one, as numerous digital tools emerge, including those generated by artificial intelligence, but also as Generation Z gains a seat at the decision-making table.

How would you like to communicate with your colleagues in the future? With us, lately it looks sort of like that

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