Comms Shift

The rapid shift to a hybrid and remote workforce, and the rise of Employee Experience, have put internal communicators in the spotlight. But what is the employee experience exactly? And what role should communicators play in creating a successful one? Join Mike Klein in this episode of the Comms Minute, as he interviews Lithuanian author and comms consultant Vija Valentukonytė Urbanavičienė. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

Hey Comms Minute listeners, Aleks here. I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being with us throughout this season. Thank you for tuning in for those 31 Comms Minute episodes over the last half-year or so. We hope you enjoyed listening to them as much as we did making them. It's been a blast! Thank you to our hosts, Brad Whitworth and Mike Klein, and to our amazing guests who shared their time, wisdom, and experiences with us. Now, the Comms Minute will be taking a break while we cook up something new. But we'll be back before you know it, with more news, interviews and other great content focusing on the fascinating world of internal communication. In the meantime, if you've missed any episodes from our first two seasons, now is the perfect time to catch up! They're all available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your podcasts. We would also like to know how YOU felt about season 2 of Comms Minute. For any and all feedback, feel free to shoot us an email at marketing@smarp.com … and of course we would love it if you dropped us a rating on Apple Podcasts. And in case you didn't know, The Comms Minute is presented by Smarp, the leading employee communications & advocacy platform. Join our community and stay posted on future podcast episodes by visiting our website at www.smarp.com Anyway, that's all for now! Stay tuned, and we'll see you again soon! Thank you to our hosts, Brad Whitworth and Mike Klein, and to our amazing guests who shared their time, wisdom, and experiences with us. Now, the Comms Minute will be taking a quick breather while we cook up more episodes. But we'll be back before you know it, with more interviews focusing on the fascinating world of internal communication. In the meantime, if you've missed any episodes from our first two seasons, now is the perfect time to catch up! They're all available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your podcasts. And in case you didn't know, The Comms Minute is presented by Smarp, the leading employee communications & advocacy platform. To learn more, feel free to reach out to us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram… or you can always visit our website at www.smarp.com Anyway, that's all for now! Stay tuned, and we'll see you again soon!

Want to network effectively? Here's a tip: it's not so much what your network can do for you, but what you can do for your network. In this episode, networking expert Lin McDevitt-Pugh explains why generosity and curiosity can help us build stronger connections, and how we can approach networking the same way Bill Gates approaches money these days: as something to give away more than to collect. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

No man (or woman) is an island. At one point or another, we all need help from other people, and having a solid personal and professional network can help make things easier. But what if we don't have a strong network to lean on? How do we start to build one? In this episode, networking expert Lin McDevitt-Pugh explains the three main values of a network and shares some tips on what we can do to grow them. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

Who defines what an organization's purpose is? According to Abhijit Shanker (board member at SimplyCommunicate and former Chief of Comms at UNICEF), that's the role of the Internal Communicator. In this episode, Mike and Abhijit talk about how internal communicators can make a fundamental difference in their organization by defining and communicating its true purpose. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

It's no secret: Technology has tremendous power to transform how bureaucratic organizations communicate with their employees. But how to do it properly? In this episode, Abhijit Shanker shares his experience bringing comms technology to UNICEF for the first time and talks about the key role senior executives played to help accelerate the process. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

"As a communications professional, do you want to be seen as someone who sits and writes emails, or do you want to be seen as a strategic advisor on how to address your employees?" In this episode, Abhijit Shanker, former Chief of Communicators at UNICEF, talks about why it's important to challenge bureaucracy in an organization and sheds some light on one of the most frequently asked questions for Internal Communicators: how to get a seat at the table. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

What are the key factors to consider when segmenting employee audiences in large, complex organizations? In this episode, Mike Klein is hosting New York-based consultant and author Abhijit Shanker. Abhijit was Chief of Communications at UNICEF from 2008 to 2019, and today he shares how he managed to communicate effectively to an audience of more than 50.000 employees, based out of 192 countries. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/.

Can communicators exercise creativity and humor to engage with their audiences? According to comms all-star Steve Crescenzo, there's just no other choice. In this episode of Comms Minute, Brad Whitworth continues his conversation with Steve, examining why it's essential to take the "corporate" out of "corporate communications." If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

What are CEO's telling consultants that they won't tell their own communicators? In today's episode, we continue talking with Steve Crescenzo, CEO of consultancy firm Crescenzo Communications, as he shares his experience advising top leaders and CEO's from all over the world. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

In this episode, Brad Whitworth sits down with comms guru Steve Crescenzo to talk about the written word's role in today's fast-paced business communications world. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

With the information overload that the internet has brought, now it's more complicated than ever to capture the reader's attention. So, is there a way to rise above all the noise? In today's episode, Brad Whitworth hosts Steve Crescenzo, one of the leading speakers in the Corporate Communications industry. Steve has been named the #1 speaker five times (three of those in a row) at the International Association of Business Communicators World Conference. Tune in as Steve shares his knowledge and some practical tips on capturing the readers' attention and enticing them to continue reading. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Mike Klein continues his conversation with Monique Zytnik, Senior Communication Advisor at Open Communication. In today's episode, Monique shares her view on the concept of 'Noisebreaking': the ability to cut down the noise in an organization, focus on the essential and produce internal communications that are valuable, meaningful, and effective. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

In this episode of the Comms Minute, Monique Zytnik, Senior Communication Advisor at Open Communication, talks about a brand new concept coming to the IC world: Immersive Communication. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

In the post-pandemic future of work, more and more companies are considering transitioning into a hybrid work model. But is this a good move for every organization? Is hybrid a sustainable model? In today's Comms Minute, Mike Klein and Monique Zytnik, Senior Communication Advisor at Open Communication, discuss the challenges of embracing a hybrid working model and finding the right balance between flexibility and cost-efficiency. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Over the years IABC has looked at gender equality in the communication profession, starting with a cutting-edge study called “The Velvet Ghetto.” Natasha Nicholson had a chance to interview lots of women in communication leadership roles during your time at the global association. In today's Comms Minute, Natasha reflects on the role of women in comms and how it's changed throughout these years. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

In today's Comms Minute, you're going to hear how to take some of the stress out of your day. Natasha Nicholson who led the content and communication team at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) reflects on how yoga can help you become a better communicator, a better manager, and a better person. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Are your audiences fickle? Want to know how you can grab their attention? Join Brad Whitworth and Natasha Nicholson for today's episode of Comms Minute to learn one simple question that can help you find the key to a picky audience. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Internal Communications is a field that's changing all the time. But what's the most important trend impacting the profession today? Brad Whitworth continues his conversation with Natasha Nicholson, content strategy and production lead at Kantola Training Solutions. What's the new trend in internal communication today? The pandemic and technology have created a new paradigm — Hybrid Workplace — and comms professionals need to be at the forefront of that trend. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Content and channels: you can’t really have one without the other, but which is more important in the communications process today? In today's Comms Minute we look at this balance between content and channels and how to make sure they support each other. Our guest today is Natasha Nicholson, who led the content and communication team at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and is now a content strategy and production lead at Kantola Training Solutions. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

In today's episode of Comms Minute, Diana Bonczar, Co-Founder of Inko Club, reflects on the nature of internal communications as a global profession. To be good at employee communications, you've got to master the cultural lens and apply the right perspective to the right audience. Diana shares a real case example from her career where she needed to translate local context for a global corporation. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Mike Klein continues his conversation with Diana Bonczar, Co-Founder of Inko Club. In today's episode, Diana shares her view on entrepreneurial opportunities for internal comms professionals today. One of those opportunities is scale-up companies that grew out of the startup phase. These fast-growing companies quickly start to feel the need for internal communications. There is one challenge, however. The role of internal communication in those companies is often substituted by people in marketing or HR that cannot provide quality and strategic communication support.

Diana Bonczar, Co-Founder of Inko Club, shares a piece of advice for all young professionals looking into communication career opportunities. First of all, start with basics: join webinars, read free resources, connect with other comms professionals to get a sense of breadth and learn the vocabulary. Then look for a junior role or internship in an international company that has an established internal comms function that you can learn from. That would allow you to see what good looks like and take that knowledge to the next level when you eventually change your career.

What’s the most important thing that a CEO needs to know about communication? The comms industry guru Shel Holtz shares his number one thing every CEO should understand about communications. Internal comms is not a one-way stream of messaging, it's not a distribution of content. To get internal comms, you need to think in a multi-directional dimension. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Brad Whitworth continues his conversation with Shel Holtz, the communications industry guru on technology, an author, a lecturer, an IABC Fellow, and director of internal communications at Webcor in San Francisco. In today's episode, Shel shares the very best communications advice he ever received in his career — spend more time listening than talking. He also shares some practical tips on how to improve your listening skills and become a better communicator. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

How to get employees to embrace technology and become regular users of a new platform or application? Tune in to today's episode of the Comms Minute to learn two tactical approaches that will help your employees adopt a new comms platform or app. Our guest today is Shel Holtz, the communications industry guru on technology, an author, a lecturer, an IABC Fellow, and director of internal communications at Webcor in San Francisco. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Communicators can’t do everything themselves, and we’re all looking for ways to embrace user-generated content. But how to get it done right? In today's Comms Minute, the communications industry guru on technology Shel HoltzShel Holtz shares his three practical tips for getting user-generated content right. Tune in and share this episode with your comms friends. Visit https://smarp.com/ for more unique insights on employee communication and advocacy.

You need new communication technology and you've got to sell it internally to your leadership team, but how? In today's episode, Brad Whitworth is hosting the communications industry guru on technology Shel Holtz. Shel is an author, a lecturer, an IABC Fellow, and director of internal communications at Webcor in San Francisco. Tune in as Shel shares some practical tips on how to build a relationship with the IT department and sell internally the software you need to do your best job. If you are looking for a reliable communication platform to help you reach all your employees with targeted communications, check out Smarp: https://smarp.com/

Mike Klein continues his conversation with Aniisu K Verghese who currently heads Communications at a leading travel technology firm and is one of the leading Internal Communication (IC) personalities outside of the “Anglo-Saxon” world. In today's episode, Aniisu reflects on what needs to happen in order to transform internal communication into a truly global profession with common traits. He shares 4 key aspects to consider: 1) investing in standardized capabilities and skills, 2) providing opportunities for global learning, 3) encouraging mentorship, 4) making resources more available & affordable.

In today's Comms Minute, Aniisu Verghese, Director of Corporate Communications at a leading travel technology firm, shares his three key lessons that India, as a country, as a market, as a culture, has to share with the world of Internal Communications. Tune in to learn more about the three Rs: Resilience, Rigor, Respect, and how they can inspire Internal Comms in your organization.

In today's episode, we continue talking to Rebecca Sangster-Kelly. She shares a little trick on how to get senior leaders to understand and follow your advice as an internal comms professional.

In this episode, an emerging internal comms thought leader Rebecca Sangster-Kelly talks about the gap in the practical side of comms and the way the IC profession is perceived. That gap was one of the reasons Rebecca started her series of videos for leaders and communication professionals.

Season 2 of the Comms Minute podcast is coming next week, and we’ve made some major changes!

Thank you for being with us this year. It has been a challenge, but together we came out of it stronger. Thanks for tuning in to those 55 Comms Shift podcast episodes that went live in 2020.

The 2020 crisis has accelerated digital transformation in most organizations. However, this process is far from being over. Brad Whitworth shares the two main priorities to focus on in early 2021 regarding digital transformation. ✅ Firstly, we'll have to critically evaluate what has been done in 2020: what works, what doesn't, and what needs to change. ✅ Secondly, we need to approach digital transformation as an ongoing process, not a single project. We need to continually keep re-evaluating our digital stack to keep up with a fast-paced reality.

According to Gatehouse, communicating strategy, values, and purposes is a key priority for most communicators. At the same time, IBM reports that 72% of employees don't fully understand the company's strategy. So what are we doing wrong? "The first mistake we often make when trying to communicate company strategy and value is to let the executives, who have developed this, use corporate jargon — those general words that have no meaning and can be applied to any organization, says Brad Whitworth. The book Brad recommends for everyone who wants to tackle this mistake is called "The Cluetrain Manifesto" by David Weinberger. The second mistake is that we don't do a good enough job in tying down that high-level strategy to the local levels of the organization. We need to help leaders at all those levels interpret that strategy and give employees tangible guidelines off the back of it.

Smarp's PMM Aleks chats with Kerri Warner, Global Head of Employee Communications at Mastercard. Kerri shares her thoughts on the evolving role of the communicator, as well as her 4Cs framework for what employee communications can bring to the table in enterprise organizations.

Traditional onboarding tends to consist of an onsite intro to the company, a more detailed intro to the actual job role and tools, and maybe some introduction to peers, colleagues, and the key people the new hire interacts with. Remote onboarding is different, says Mike Klein. The introduction to the role itself has to factor in whether the new hire has access to the work tools. Even if yes, the introduction to the company needs to have more depth - and this is one place where internal comms could play a much more significant role. And even more important, introducing new people to people with knowledge and influence can play a major role in getting a newcomer up to speed. Read the full article if you want to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ic-beyond-onboarding-goes-remote-changing-game-mike-klein

Smarp's PMM Aleks chats with Yogesh Malik, former Group CTO at VEON. Yogesh gives great insight into how you can convince your CTO and broader tech organization that your communications initiatives are as much for them as they are for you.

Efficiency vs. inclusivity — sometimes, we communicators have to make that choice, and often, we get tricked by it. In this episode, Brad Whitworth reminds us to be extra cautious when using technical terminology, acronyms, and jargon in our comms. We can quickly turn off our audience for the price of efficiency. Let's debate everything employee communications! Join 500 of your peers for the final Great Comms Debate of the year. Registrations are open: https://app.livestorm.co/smarp-1/the-great-comms-debate-5

Smarp's CMO Bruno chats with Adobe's Head of Employee Advocacy, Rani Mani, about why every job description and performance review should include employee advocacy.

No one likes to deliver bad news. It's never easy. Yet, it's part of our job as employee communicators. How to make this less painful? — continuous communications. Don't hit people with one unexpected announcement. Instead, provide them with frequent, clear, and honest updates about the situation in your organization. If people are prepared, if they get information from trusted sources, not the rumors, they will be more understanding when or if there will be any bad news. Join our employee comms community: https://smarp.com/join/ Once a week, we'll send you our best piece of content. No BS. Only quality comms!

Employees are well-trained to recognize when the leaders' words and actions are not in sync. That's why it's crucial for employee comms teams to focus not only on messages but also on actions and alarm the leadership every time these are not lined up. Employee communications function should be a trusted counselor to senior leadership to point our misalignment of actions and words and deliver the employee feedback to executive leaders.

The main objective when choosing a tone of voice for your company is consistency. Ask yourself: can this voice be used consistently and credibly? The corporate voice should never disempower or displace employee voice — it should respect and amplify it. Keep in mind that you deal with 3 voices: corporate (e.g., Pepsico), brand (Pepsi, Mountain Dew), and employee voices.

You have to repeat a lot to get your comms to stick. When it comes to safety information, for instance, McKinsey's study found that you need to repeat the safety message 9-12 times for the audience to perceive that risk. So how can we repeat-repeat-repeat without turning off our audience? — Diversify your comms strategy. You don't necessarily need to be coming up with something new to say. Come up with new ways to say it, broaden the ways you package and deliver information — from channels to content formats.

Three top priorities for comms teams during a merger or acquisition: 1. Understand the purpose and goal of the M&A. Is it a merger of equals? Is it a streamlining? Is it assets stripping? How will the future organization look like? You need to have a deep understanding of this to be able to build your comms strategy. You want to be perfectly aligned with the company's objectives. 2. Understand the dynamics. Keep in mind that you're dealing not with two but three organizations: the acquiring, the acquired, and the future (merged) organization. Each of those has its interests and needs when it comes to employee communications. 3. Be strategic about how you position people on both sides of a merger. Be mindful of the visibility and inclusion of people on both sides of the equation in your communications.

Clear thinking is the skill that drives great writing, which is at the core of everything comms people do. Powerful writing comes from a clear structure. You may have a million great ideas, but you need to organize and present them in a way that can convey your message most effectively. The way to check on your clear thinking is to share your early drafts with colleagues to get their perspective and feedback, suggests Brad Whitworth.

What was the Iceland government's communication strategy when the COVID-19 pandemic hit? Why did people like it? And why is it so close to corporate comms?

We all have deadlines, and most of us have people we report to. So how can IC professionals deliver timely comms when approval can take so long? Brad Whitworth looks back at his time at Hewlett-Packard to give you actionable advice.

Smarp's PMM Aleks chats with change management and comms expert Sophie Maddison about agility and being able to adjust your communications on the fly.

In this episode, Mike Klein shares his must-read for internal comms professionals: Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky. This book provides unique insights on community organizing, navigating the hierarchies, and moving ideas, thoughts, and actions within the organization.