As 2020 comes to an end, companies are wrapping up projects, analysing budgets, reviewing results and considering next steps. The way these topics are communicated is vital to ensure employee engagement.
Effective corporate communication is essential for the growth of the business and its subsequent success. And this must start from the beginning, during the onboarding process of a new hired employee.
Internal Business Communication
There are four main types of business communication:
Internal Upward - from an employee to a manager, within the organization (e.g. surveys, feedback, forms and reports);
Internal Downward - from a manager to an employee, within the organization (e.g. email, a memo or a verbal directive);
Internal Lateral - between employees of an organization (e.g. chats, private messages, email, internal social media);
External - between external parties outside the company, for example customers, stakeholders, or partners.
In this article it is internal communication that is in focus. In particular, Downward communication related to the company’s goals, developed work, results, and obstacles faced during the enclosing month, quarter or business year.
Communicating results is not only about demonstrating correct and concise data for a work period, but also knowing about how to present it in an engaging way that grabs the teams’ interest.
How to share results in a quick and interesting way?
Savvy organizations are curating results-related content that is available online, interactive and quick to read.
These are a few reasons why:
It expands viewing content possibilities (e.g. motion graphics; infographics; integration of videos or podcasts; interactive elements such as GIF’s);
Ensures greater and faster dissemination within the company
On-demand content is not as distractive as emails and powerpoints. Each employee can get access to the results when it bests suits them
These are a few relevant exeamples
Internal newsletter
47% of email readers open them based on the title’s message they see in the inbox. Therefore, even if the newsletters are internal, this is a topic that must be considered. Writing a short, direct and fun title is the way forward for employees to be interested in what comes next.
Internal reports are usually seen as something very formal and presented, sometimes, with a lot and unnecessary information. It is crucial to be straightforward and very visually oriented, so infographics can be a good bet. Also, employees expect to be able to drill down into their own job function or area to see related results.
Also, embedding a short video recorded by the manager (e.g. from sales or design team) about the most relevant projects for the year, or the CEO of a brand (e.g. food products) explaining the results and next steps are good options to explore.
Introducing an opinion poll on the impact that an internal newsletter had on employees' understanding and interest is something that should always be included, to improve an organization's internal communication.
In addition, related industry news and trends can also be added as a closing information to keep employees engaged.
Events as audio or video webcasts
Creating online events, announced on Intranet and internal social media, such as audio and video webcasts, makes sharing results a much more interactive and prestigious moment.
Organizations should announce the event a few days ahead, sending email invitations to all employees’ and introducing banners on the Intranet and internal social media, as an extra alert.
When the day comes to share data reports live, an audio or video webcast should be published or livestream, where a CEO, a manager or collaborator responsible for a project can present results, sharing valuable insights, goals achieved and future next steps.
Recently, one of the major IT providers in Europe has started to do weekly “ask the CEO” moments where all employees can ask questions directly to the CEO on the results, trends and company next steps – keeping the team united an mission-oriented.
Motion graphics
Some companies are resorting to motion graphics to explain results and other relevant topics. Using illustrations, live-action footage, green screen footage, 3D elements or photos, transforming corporate information into something easily explained, more emotional. By integrating relevant information with animation, it allows the receiver to memorize 65% of what was shown in the long run, whereas if they just listen, or information is presented with mostly written content or with “poor” visual content (e.g. simple graphics of excel and tables), only 10% of the information will be retained.
Change how you present results to internal teams. Get in touch and engage your team.