How to rock internal communication

Not-For-Profit organisations spend a lot of time and energy securing support from external stakeholders such as donors, volunteers, the media and politicians. With so much on their plates, deliberate efforts at maintaining internal communication with staff tend to get buried under the pile of ‘To Dos’.

While internal communication may sound as simple as sending out the occasional email or saying hi when you come into the office every day, it actually takes much more than that. Making the effort to keep your team in check is essential to helping your organisation function effectively and building team morale and productivity, so it’s important to get it right.

Here are six ways you can rock your internal communications:

1. Keep your employees excited about your cause. People usually join a particular Not-For-Profit because they see the good the organisation does or the difference it’s making. Leverage on this by reminding your staff about your organisation’s mission, vision and values. A great way to do this is by letting them see their impact on the organisation and sharing information about its new initiatives, achievements, awards and events. When you inform staff of major accomplishments such as these, you let them know they play an important role in achieving results and they’ll feel appreciated and energised about your mission.

2. Understand who you’re speaking to. Are you working with tech-savvy, philanthropy-driven Gen Ys who appreciate the ease of a YouTube video and email? Or are you working with passionate, reliable Baby Boomers who like to read a printed copy of a newsletter? Take into consideration your staff demographics and tailor your communications to suit their preferences and behaviours.

3. Encourage open and regular dialogue and information sharing. Whether it’s a regular face-to-face staff meeting, a monthly newsletter or a weekly phone call, it pays to be as consistent as possible with your communications. It pays to also encourage staff to engage in discussion. Provide a platform where they can ask questions, provide comments and share their knowledge or industry news. Let them know their ideas are welcome. People are more likely to communicate well when they feel they have a part in where the organisation is headed.

4. Make the most of technology. There are many project management tools available online that can be used to facilitate communication. While face-to-face communication is always important, online tools like Google Docs and Smartsheet can help staff work more efficiently, keep track of a project’s progress, share information and find content quickly and easily.

5. Plan external events. Create opportunities for staff to meet outside of the office by planning activities like a holiday party or a happy hour after work. This not only gives staff something to look forward to, but it can also facilitate improved engagement and stronger communication.

6. Be encouraging and positive. Firing your team up and sharing their wins is a great way to boost morale in the office. When your team’s work is less than stellar, try to start with what was done right. Sharing compliments before bad news can help keep employee’s confidence in tact so they continue to improve.

Jo Scard

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Jo Scard, Founder and CEO of communications and engagement agency Fifty Acres, has over 20 years’ experience in communications, corporate and political advisory roles and journalism making her one of Australia’s foremost strategic advisers. A respected former journalist in the UK and Australia Jo has worked with ITV, Associated Press, Seven Network, SBS, ABC and Fairfax. Jo has been a senior adviser to the Rudd and Gillard government’s and to the British Labour Party. A trained lawyer she is a Member of the NSW Council of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and on the Boards of Fitted for Work and Hockey ACT. Jo started Fifty Acres over ten years ago because she wanted to create an agency that supported flexible work and that was motivated by strong values and work in the for-purpose sectors.

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