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Discover challenges in internal communications and learn strategies to improve engagement in the modern workplace.
A simple "hello" between coworkers can spark an instant connection in the busy hallways of any modern workplace. However, internal communications go much further than simple greetings.
Many organizations struggle with a confusing array of communication issues that impede their development and productivity. This article will help you navigate the complex web of internal communications, explain its fundamental principles and history, and offer tips on how to improve your company's communications.
What is meant by internal communication? In its simplest form, it's the way information flows within an organization. Whether it's an executive's announcement, team updates, or casual chats among colleagues, internal communications is the heartbeat that keeps everyone informed and aligned.
The main purposes of internal communications are about making sure everyone in the company is connected and working together. Here's how it helps:
Looking back, it's amazing to see how much the ways we talk at work have changed. Let's take a quick look at how internal communications have evolved over the years:
Years back, internal communication was often as simple as a memo on a board or an announcement in the break room. But times have changed. It's no longer just about giving out information; it's about building a shared understanding.
Rachel Miller, Founder of All Things IC, sums it up perfectly: "The purpose of internal communication is not telling people what to do. It is to create a shared understanding and meaning. Only when this happens can employees work together towards a company’s goals."
That shared understanding? It is what's driving the ways we communicate now. Sure, we have emails, but they’re just one part of the mix. We’re also leaning into team chats, one-on-ones, and digital platforms that encourage engagement.
Technology's role here can't be overstated. Collaboration tools, intranets, and even internal social media have become game-changers. They're not just for sharing news; they're spaces where ideas are swapped and feedback is actively sought.
For those juggling office life with remote work, these tools help keep us all on the same page. They make sure that everyone, whether they're at their desk or on their couch, is in the know.
Breaking it down, today's internal communication is:
Bottom line? Good internal communication has shifted from being a bonus to being the glue that keeps a modern team together.
Effective communication within a company is an art and a science. Here are some roadblocks many businesses face and actionable internal communication strategies to overcome them:
1. Miscommunication and Mixed Messages
2. Lack of Feedback and Interaction
3. Remote and Hybrid Work Challenges
4. Resistance to New Tools and Technologies
5. Lack of Clear Goals and Direction
Internal communications is steadily evolving, adapting to technological advancements and the changing dynamics of modern workplaces. Here's a look at the horizon:
1. Remote Work and Flexibility: The transition to remote work was more than just a momentary adjustment; it's a lasting shift. According to a PwC survey, 83% of employers believed the move to remote work was successful for their company, indicating that such setups will be more commonplace in the coming years. This emphasizes the growing importance of tools tailored for remote teams.
2. Virtual Reality (VR) Meetings: Instead of the familiar grid view on Zoom, imagine participating in a meeting on a virtual tropical beach or a high-rise boardroom — all from your living room.
With VR technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, Statista projects that the XR market will grow to approximately $100 billion by 2026, hinting that VR meetings might soon be a standard practice.
3. AI-powered Communication Tools: The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence into workplace tools is becoming more common. Companies (like Unily, Haiilo, and Pumble) are looking into how AI can examine communication behaviors, suggest improved collaboration techniques or even anticipate when an employee might feel excluded or burdened.
In fact, McKinsey reported that by 2030, AI techniques have the potential to create between $3.5T and $5.8T in value annually across nine business functions in 19 industries by 2030
4. Instant Translations: In the future, linguistic barriers in multinational teams may cease to exist. With the help of certain tools, someone could speak in Spanish during a meeting, and another participant can instantly hear it in English or their preferred language.
5. Feedback in Real-time: Immediate feedback loops will likely be the norm. We might soon have platforms where, post-meeting or post-presentation, feedback from peers is instantly available, facilitating rapid growth and adaptation.
6. Emotional Recognition Software: Picture this - you're in a virtual meeting and a tool helps you see if people are engaged, bored, or confused, just by reading their facial expressions or how they talk. Companies might soon use this kind of software to make online chats more effective, and it could help make sure everyone feels heard and valued.
Internal communications is about to enter a new era that is both exciting and inclusive, ensuring that every team member—whether they are at work or at home—remains connected and informed. The challenge and opportunity will be in effortlessly incorporating these technologies into our daily processes.
Assembly isn’t just another internal communication software. At its core, it is a cutting-edge platform designed to support and enhance your internal communication processes.
Here’s a closer look at what Assembly offers and how it could be the game-changer for your organization's internal communications plan:
Internal communication has transformed, adapting to new work environments like remote and hybrid work. This change hasn't been easy, and businesses face challenges in keeping everyone connected and informed.
We traced how communication has evolved over time, discussed today's practices, and looked at what the future might hold, including new tools like AI. In short, good internal communication is vital for a successful business.
With platforms like Assembly, enhancing and simplifying internal communication becomes less of a chore and more of an exciting opportunity. Try it now!
Get the foundational knowledge on creating an employee recognition program that boosts employee engagement and helps them feel valued.
Explore GuideYes, at Assembly, security is a top priority. Each quarter, we have ongoing security work that is everyone’s responsibility. While we maintain a strong security posture, it was important for us to prove to our customers that we do everything we claim to do. This led us to pursue a SOC 2 Type II report that would provide evidence of our compliance with industry gold-standard security practice.
There is study after study showing that employee recognition leads to increased engagement. This in return creates an environment where employees are happier and more motivated which increase productivity and reduces voluntary turnover significantly. In order to filled critical roles, companies tend to spend nearly twice the value of an annual salary. Assembly is an investment in your employees that supports your bottom line.
Yes, we will offer contracts for companies with longer-term agreements to help larger customers have more certainty around future costs.
The minimum agreement term is a 12-month subscription.
We do and for FREE! Any new customer needing further support to get started with Assembly to ensure you're set up for success can request custom onboarding support. Improving your employee experience is about much more than just using our amazing software; it’s about transforming your business to create a workplace that people love. That’s much easier to do with the personal support and advice from our passionate people experts.
Yes. We offer a completely free plan for up to 50 team members. This plan is intended for teams or organizations that are looking to get started with an employee engagement tool. Keep in mind, this plan is limited in features.
All customers can open an Assembly account for free and get started without a credit card. Then you can change plans as necessary.
At the time of redemption (when your employees exchange their points for a paid reward) you'll pay face value. If a reward is a $10 Amazon gift card, your cost will be $10. All paid rewards are billed for on a monthly basis.
The good news is that you don't have to pay for rewards upfront because we only charge you when points are redeemed, not when they're earned.
We offer discounts or educational or charitable organizations. In order to secure a discount, you'll first need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.
For all other organizations, we are willing to consider longer-term agreements in exchange for discounts. To set up annual plans or longer, you will need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.
If you're on a month to month plan, you can go here and cancel anytime. If you're having concerns or need help setting up your account for success, you can always book a demo with a customer support specialist.
If you're on a longer-term custom plan, you'll need to reach out to your customer support specialist to cancel your account or email us at support@joinassembly.com.
Great question! You can customize your core values to match your organization's to boost and track alignment. You can change your currency from the 🏆 emoji (our default) to any emoji of your choice. You can swap our logo for your own. You can also set up company culture rewards such as, "Lunch with the CEO," "Buy a book on us," and so much more!
While we recommend a peer to peer set up where anyone in your organization can give or receive recognition, you can set up Assembly however you want. If you need to limit the people who can give or receive recognition, that's perfectly fine and can be done from your Admin, here.
Assembly connects to the tools your employees use every day to offer an easy, seamless experience with minimal change management.
Assembly has integrations with HCM/HRIS systems like ADP, Google, Office 365, and Slack. We also integrate with communication tools like Slack and Teams so you and your employees can access Assembly wherever they work now.
That depends on the company's permissions set up. That said, over 90% of the employees on Assembly's platform are recognized on a monthly basis. That means nearly every employee across all of our customers are receiving regular recognition from their peers, managers, or leadership. We're extremely proud of this.
They are not required. You can use Assembly without having rewards set up. However, we don't recommend it if you intend to have a high adoption and usage rate. You can always keep the costs down by offering internal culture rewards that are fulfilled by you internally.
No, you can remove allowances from anyone or everyone. It's up to you but we do recommend using points whether they're worth a real dollar value or not. Companies that use points have a much higher engagement rate even if those points don't exchange for real dollars.
Please schedule time with an expert and we will help you to get all your questions answered