Internal communication - how does it build the success of an organisation?

Internal communication in a company, if ineffective, generates a loss of up to 40,000 zloty per year. And not in total, but on each employee! This is wasted money which, if invested in the development of the company, would contribute to further successes. Better advertising, new technologies to support tasks - all this remains in the realm of dreams when internal communication in the company generates losses. Furthermore, ineffective internal communication leads to information chaos. The result is frequent interpersonal conflicts and a decrease in team effectiveness and motivation. What can be done to make internal communication in a company no longer a problem?

Contents

What is internal communication in a company?

Internal communication encompasses all information exchange processes taking place within an organisation. Its main objective is to ensure an effective flow of knowledge, ideas and values between employees at different levels of the organisational structure.

There are three main types of internal communication:

1. Communication upwards - The flow of information from lower-level employees to management. Includes reports, suggestions, complaints and feedback.
2. Downward communication - The communication of information from management to subordinates. Includes instructions, orders, objectives and company policies.
3. Horizontal communication - The exchange of information between employees or departments at the same hierarchical level. It serves to coordinate tasks, solve problems and share knowledge.

Effective internal communication integrates all of these types, creating a coherent system of information flow within the organisation. Research by McKinsey & Company has shown that companies with effective internal communications achieve 20-25% higher productivity compared to their competitors.

Tools and strategies to improve communication

Modern organisations have many tools at their disposal to support internal communication. Their skilful use can significantly improve the flow of information and increase employee engagement. The internet is a central place for information exchange within a company. It enables easy access to documents, news and HR resources. Platforms such as Microsoft SharePoint offer advanced content management features, making it easier to organise and find the information you need. Business communicators e.g. Slack if Microsoft Teams, have revolutionised the way teams communicate. They enable rapid messaging, video conferencing and integration with other work tools. According to a Slack report, companies using this platform report an average 32% increase in team productivity! Project management apps like Asana if TrelloThey support the coordination of tasks and the flow of information within project teams. They also allow the progress of work to be tracked transparently and responsibilities to be delegated effectively.

Regular team meetings, whether onsite or remote, remain an indispensable part of effective communication. In particular, they enable the direct exchange of ideas, problem-solving and relationship-building between employees.

The internal communication strategy should take into account the specific characteristics of the organisation and the preferences of employees.

Key elements of an effective strategy include:

1. Transparency - The open sharing of information builds trust and employee engagement.
2. Regularity - the systematic provision of updates ensures that staff feel up to date.
3. Bidirectionality - creating channels for employee feedback allows for a better understanding of the team's needs.
4. Personalisation - tailoring messages to different audiences increases their effectiveness.
5. Measurability - regular analysis of the effectiveness of communication enables continuous process improvement.

Internal communication audit

An internal communication audit is a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of communication processes in an organisation. Its purpose is to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

The audit process involves several stages:

1. Analysis of current communication channels and tools
2. Exploring employee perceptions through surveys and interviews
3. Assessing the effectiveness of information flow between different levels and departments
4. Identification of communication barriers
5. Analysis of the alignment of communication with the organisation's strategic objectives

The audit results provide valuable insights for optimising communication processes. For example, one manufacturing company discovered after an audit that production line employees were not receiving regular updates about company goals. The introduction of weekly briefings and the installation of update screens in the production halls increased employee engagement by 35% in six months!

Internal communication performance indicators (KPIs) include:

• Level of employee involvement
• Time required to disseminate important information
• The degree to which employees understand the company's goals and strategy
• Effectiveness of interdepartmental cooperation
• Staff turnover

Regular monitoring of these indicators makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of communication activities on an ongoing basis and to make the necessary adjustments.

Communication as a motivational factor

An excellent example of a company that has successfully used communication as a motivational factor is the Microsoft. Under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has introduced a culture of open and transparent communication. This has contributed to a significant increase in employee engagement and improved company performance. Microsoft also implemented a 'work from anywhere' strategy, which allowed employees to flex their working hours to suit their individual needs. An important part of the initiative's success was effective internal communication. The company held regular virtual team meetings, encouraged the use of online collaboration tools and ensured that all employees were kept informed of the company's goals and direction.

The results of this strategy were impressive. Microsoft employees reported higher levels of job satisfaction, better work-life balance and increased productivity. The company reported lower employee turnover rates and became more attractive to talented professionals who value flexibility and open communication

The example shows how effective internal communication can increase employee motivation and engagement, but also contribute to improving the company's overall performance and its position in the labour market.

Effective internal communication is fundamental to the success of modern organisations. Its impact goes far beyond the simple transfer of information, shaping organisational culture, employee engagement and overall productivity. Investing in the development of effective communication processes pays dividends in terms of increased productivity, innovation and employee satisfaction.