We have all heard time and time again of the
importance Internal Communication within an organisation, but it’s easy to forget why. From my firsthand
experience as a Public Relations Intern in the Internal Communication
department, I have developed the 3 reasons why internal communication is so
important, which should always be remembered.
1)
It keeps the whole organisation
in the ‘loop.’
Main Roads Western
Australia is such a large organisation. There are offices all around Western
Australia and they work within so many other departments such as the Office of
Road Safety and the Department of Transport as well as the Traffic Operations
Centre. Being such a large organisation comes a large number of employees, all which have the potential of
damaging your reputation if there is a insufficient amount of communication. By focusing on internal communication, it shows employees the importance their role plays to the success of the
organisation.
2) Internal communication provides a source of information and coordination.
It allows organisations to
have easier access to information, particularly
when there is an internal website. Main Roads has an internal website, ‘IRoads’
which gives all employees access to employee news, important information on any
crises, organisational guidelines and tips on how to
communicate to the media. I have learnt forom
university how important internal communication is and have seen this first
hand through the IRoad websites as
it allows top management to have easy and sufficient communication with their
employees. It also allows the organisation to coordinate with all departments so that they are all working towards the
same organisation goal.
(Example of IRoads)
3)
Increases employee motivation
Internal communication motivates employees
as it creates good relationships amongst the hierarchy. Obviously, in an
organization there are different roles. But internal communication allows
employees to see that everyone is treated equally and
that the focus of the organisation is on providing sufficient communication. It
also increases employee's motivation, as they feel comfortable with exchanging ideas and their views on how the
organisation can improve and can
increase overall employee efficiency.
I have seen the benefits of internal communication
first hand by interning in the Internal Public Relation department. I have had
the opportunity to update information on their internal website about
particular staff movements and stories.
Another advantage was having access to all
the staff at Main Roads as you were able to see what department they worked in
and what projects they worked on. As a soon to be graduate, I saw this as a
networking opportunity as I was allowed to ‘add them’ as my friend. By adding
staff which had similar roles which I one day aspire to work in made them aware of who I was and
what I majored in at University as I was listed on the Main Roads website. I
was noticed in the team room by 2 staff members as they came up to me and asked
me how my Internship was going.
Has anyone else realised the huge impact
internal communication plays in
an organisation? Or has anyone else created their own network opportunity?
I would love to hear your stories.
Caris Dinardo
