What is the role of Internal Communication after the pandemic? You know?
Just like most things around us, Internal Communications is a sector that has been improving over the years. There was even a time when it was not as valued as it should be, but it is a fact that it is essential for the development of employees, and consequently of companies.
In an interview with Andrea Sarti, Internal Communications Coordinator at UnitedHealth Group, she comments on the importance of this sector: “Communication with employees is the fundamental link in the company-employee relationship. She is responsible for encouraging and promoting transparent dialogue, reducing conflicts, promoting the dissemination and alignment of corporate messages and strategies, contributing to the pride of belonging, in addition to being an essential supporter of engagement and productivity. It has always played a fundamentally strategic role in the success of any business.”
The pandemic arrives, and the corporate scenario changes
In a time of crisis like the one we are experiencing, the corporate environment would not be left out of instabilities and revolutions. The method of homeoffice, mostly adopted at the beginning of the quarantine, is a great way to exemplify that our perception of some issues has been turned upside down. And now, with the pandemic issues more resolved and mass vaccination underway, there has been a lot of discussion about the real need for employees to participate in person every day of the week.
A survey carried out by Aberje with 86 participating organizations, including associated and non-associated organizations, located in different regions of the country, of all sizes and representing almost all segments of the economy, the main measures taken by the Communication area, due to the pandemic were:
Stardom: Internal Communication becomes more important than ever
Daniel Costa, a specialist in this area, says that “Internal Communication is a problem to be constantly solved, which can and must be managed intensively so as not to cause deficiencies”.
So as a result of this pandemic scenario, with the crisis and fear installed, it was certain that problems would come to light that were often being swept under the carpet, but that in others, despite being resolved, presented themselves in a new way. With the majority of employees at home, how to reinforce organizational culture? How to communicate effectively? How to warn and inform? Stay connected? Make them feel part of the company? And it is exactly at this moment that Internal Communication becomes the problem to be solved and the most effective solution.
Quoted previously, Daniel Costa also comments on the temporal changes in this sector: in the past, the lack of technology meant that the way of delivering information was the biggest concern, whereas nowadays the primary concern is seeks to make what is to be said understandable, It is listen to what employees have to say. When asked about what changed in Internal Communication after the pandemic, Andrea Sarti makes an updated consideration that correlates with Daniel's position: “Communication with employees took a very important technological leap, as with isolation, companies found themselves forced investing in an area that was not a priority for the organizations. In most companies, CI has left its position as a support area to truly assume its strategic role.”
Why has it become so essential? And how can I practice it?
The most effective solution to heal the wounds left by the pandemic, looking from the doorway into companies, is Internal Communication. It allows you to be close to your collaborator even when physically distant, in the midst of an economic, health and mental crisis. Alignment between manager and employee, between teams, security and the feeling of belonging, reliable information, and reinforcement of organizational culture, all these issues and many others are also ensured by this sector.
Among the different ways you can start or reinforce it, here are some efficient channels:
- Corporate TV's – a good option for large companies and factories, especially those that were unable to adopt the home office.
- Internal Communication Applications – in order to maintain frequent contact with the employee regardless of where they are, APP's are an excellent option.
Your biggest goal
Internal Communication seeks the well-being of employees, and thus sustains good performance. Technology combined with empathy can make the experience in the workplace truly enjoyable. By seeing this area as an investment and qualifying it within your company, promoting human connections, which is your biggest goal, will be achieved.
Regarding the post-pandemic situation, Andrea Sarti points out:
“I believe that communication with employees will play an even more relevant role in maintaining organizational culture, team engagement, alignment of business strategies and pride in belonging. Remote, hybrid and fully office-based work is the new normal and keeping these teams on equal terms with equal opportunities and information will have an even greater impact on business success.”
