An animated guide to what internal comms isn't

By Kelly Dyer, Editor of Strategic Communication Management, Melcrum

A recent question posted on Melcrum’s Communicators’ Network asked for a definition or a summary of the scope of internal communication. Whilst a pithy explanation of what internal communication is may be tricky to craft, this animation illustrates perfectly all that internal communication isn’t.   

Watch and giggle quietly to yourself as the clueless marketing manager reveals his understanding of internal communication to be “emails, chats in the kitchen and drinks in the pub after work”. And yes, of course, powerpoint gets a mention (internal comms can’t exist without it, right?) But I won’t spoil it …you need to watch and see for yourself.

The cartoon's originators, ABT Brand Experience Agency, have created a comic scenario that’ll probably resonate with many internal communicators who have grown weary of trying to prove their value. How many companies can you think of where no expense is spared to keep senior level staff content and no expense spent on creating a happy working environment for those in the lower ranks? How about companies that hold the function in poor regard/see it as the “fluffy” department/as the people who just send out newsletters? In the worst-case scenario, there must be organizations where employees aren’t even aware of the function's existence.

Have a look, see what you think and forward it on to your colleagues. I guarantee it’ll put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

Comments

[Wedge]

'Value' is such a difficult term, full of emotion, but yes, it can seem that Internal Comms is undervalued in its role of pulling the company together and creating a shared vision / goal.

I don't think it's all about lower ranks and happiness, I think there's more to it than that of course (as I'm sure you do).

[Claire Kowarsky]

Hi Kelly,

Very glad you enjoyed our tongue-in-cheek look at internal comms. Our cartoon has resonated across cultural boundaries - we've had feedback from right around the world including non-English speaking countries who could relate to the frustrations portrayed.

Kindest regards,

Claire