Effective internal communication is concerned with the communication of strategic vision and objectives as well as news and operational information.  At the University, internal communication is included in the role of leaders and managers as well as being part of the processes and structures of the organisation.  

The importance of effective internal communication

Improves operational efficiency

Staff will know what their role is and the part they play in the team. Managers will feel more empowered to make decisions themselves because they have the right knowledge and tools to make decisions.

Drives forward change

Well informed staff may be less resistant to change. This is because they will know where they are, where they are going and how they are expected to get there.

Builds community

Teams are more likely to work together in a supportive way because they will understand what the combined aims and ambitions of the team are.

Creates ambassadors

Happy and satisfied staff help to spread positive messages to other parts of the University and externally.

Retains talent

A happy workforce is more likely to stay where it is – giving security to the team as a whole.

Things to Consider

There are some important things to consider when planning internal communications, whether this is for a specific project or ongoing work within your department/office. Principally these are:

What do you want to say?

Decide what your key message is and stick to it. Try to summarise the information in three or four key points.

Who do you want to say it to?

Choose your audience carefully. Address too few people and not enough of your team will have the information they need to do their job properly. Address too many and your message may be disregarded as ‘junk mail’ because it is not relevant to a large proportion of people.

What is your reason for communicating? 

Are you trying to create awareness about an issue, improve understanding, build better working relationships, change somebody’s attitude or get someone to do something? Make it clear in any communication what you are asking someone to do – then the recipient will know what is expected of them.

Advice and support

Michelle Crooks, Internal Communications Officer is more than happy to support your internal communications activities, please contact her via 0116 252 5105 or email mc2434@le.ac.uk.