5 ways robust internal comms boosts the bottom line
If the boss is skeptical of your work, focus on tying results these key factors.
Whether you are setting out to prove the importance of internal communication, are in the midst of an existing internal communications plan, or fine-tuning a well-oiled communications machine, the bottom line is that your work must be about the bottom line.
At its core, communication is an instrument of strategy as well as a strategy in itself. It’s an instrument of strategy because it helps you share your mission, vision and values with employees. It’s a strategy because it will help you achieve specific goals. It creates a sense of community and trust with employees, creating a line of sight for them and engaging them to make the business successful.
So what’s the payoff? What are the benefits of good communication?
Here are five benefits of having a strong internal communications strategy:
1. Employees understand the big picture and how they fit in.
If workers feel valued, listened to and like an important part of the team and the organization, they’ll perform better. Great, employee-centric communication boosts engagement, retention and morale .
2. Employees are more productive, and there is meaning to their work.
As a result, they contribute more and feel better about their contribution and the organization, so they stay on the job and help move the business forward.
3. You’ll help build better, more empathetic leaders.
Streamlined, two-way communication helps leaders better understand employee needs and how to meet those needs to motivate, inspire and engage them.
4. You’ll inspire vigilant managers who have an ear to the ground.
Exceptional manager communication is the secret to creating and sustaining a prosperous business. If you want happy employees, invest in training and empowering your managers to have substantive conversations.
Building the trust and credibility to keep employees engaged requires effort, but it’s worth it. It takes only seconds to lose employee connection and interest.
5. You’ll create a culture of clarity, transparency and trust.
The employee engagement journey is a continuous one. Communication is not an “event.” It is a continuous process. You must work every day to ask the right questions, answer others appropriately, and communicate openly and honestly with employees. When they see you making that extra effort, they’ll do the same. By moving away from lip service and toward positive action, you drive positive business results.
Organizations that understand the benefits of good communication, prioritize and constantly strive to achieve better internal communication are a breed apart. They achieve trust and credibility. They enable employees to do their jobs better. They create a constructive workplace that encourages growth and a common sense of purpose.
From all this, there can only be one result: higher levels of performance and better business results.
In what ways do you see strong internal communication paying off in your organization?
David Grossman is CEO of The Grossman Group.
