Why your Internal Comms deserve a Health Check – and a little TLC

Last week, we wrote about what a Comms Guru internal comms health check looks like – covering what to expect if you decide to have us come audit your comms set-up. But the question remains: why would you do this? Are there really significant benefits on offer? Is it worth the while? Needless to say, we think so. In the strongest possible terms, we believe so!

Let’s face it: internal communications often get put in the corner. Too often, they’re the unsung hero of the workplace — keeping everyone on the same page, ensuring updates are shared, and sparing us from endless chains of “Reply All” emails. But when was the last time you gave your internal comms a little love?

Enter the internal comms health check: the workplace equivalent of a spa day for your messaging muscles. Here are a lucky seven reasons why we say it’s worth it.

1. You’ll find and fix the “Say what?” moments

Ever sent out a company-wide email only to hear crickets? Or worse, received 15 versions of “Can you clarify…”? That’s a surefire sign your communications might need a tune-up. A health check can pinpoint where things are getting lost in translation, helping you swap out corporate jargon for language that actually clicks with your team.

The benefit: Clearer messaging means fewer “Wait, what?” moments and more “Got it!” replies.

2. You’ll discover hidden gems (and bottlenecks)

A health check isn’t just about spotting problems; it’s about uncovering opportunities. Maybe your intranet’s getting rave reviews from one department but ignored by everyone else. Or perhaps your team’s new chat tool is more of a “chaos” tool. This is your chance to figure out what’s working, what’s not, and where the bottlenecks are hiding.

The benefit: Highlight your most valuable tools and streamline the clunky ones.

3. You’ll build (or rebuild) trust

When internal comms is running on fumes, trust takes a hit. Employees start feeling like mushrooms — kept in the dark and fed on crap! A health check can shine a light on how to rebuild transparency and foster a culture where people actually trust what they hear.

The benefit: Trust grows when communication is consistent, honest, and timely. Simple, right?

4. You’ll boost engagement

A good health check doesn’t just diagnose problems; it delivers a prescription for healthy engagement. By tailoring your messaging to meet your teams’ needs, you can turn your “must read” emails into can’t-missupdates. And let’s not forget, engaged employees are happier (and more productive) employees.

The benefit: Happier employees = better productivity. It’s win-win.

5. You’ll future-proof your communications

The workplace evolves quickly, and so do the tools we use to communicate. (Remember when email was cutting-edge?) A health check can ensure your comms strategy is ready to keep up, whether that means embracing AI tools or adapting to a hybrid workforce.

The benefit: Stay ahead of the curve, not stuck in the past.

6. You’ll save time and energy

Let’s be real — nobody enjoys wading through a sea of unnecessary emails or attending meetings that could’ve been a Teams or Slack message. A health check can help you streamline how information flows, freeing up precious time for everyone involved.

The benefit: Less noise, more focus. Who doesn’t want that?

7. You’ll strengthen your culture

Great communication is the backbone of a strong workplace culture. Whether it’s celebrating wins, sharing updates, or rallying the team around a big goal, your internal comms sets the tone. A health check ensures that tone is upbeat, inclusive, and aligned with your values.

The benefit: A healthier culture that everyone can rally around.

And what about the thorny topic of whether to do the health check yourself, or call in some experts from outside? Well, it will surprise precisely no-one reading this that we’re going to recommend the latter! But, let us justify that call…

Impartiality and objectivity

An external company is less likely to be influenced by internal politics, relationships, or preconceived notions. This allows for a more honest evaluation. Employees will likely feel more comfortable being open about sensitive issues with a neutral third party rather than their employer.

Expertise and specialisation

External companies often have extensive experience conducting health checks across various organisations, industries, and sectors, allowing them to apply best practices and benchmark performance.

Credibility and trust

External assessments are often seen as more credible and trustworthy by employees, stakeholders, and regulators. An external audit can provide assurance to stakeholders (e.g. board members, shareholders, or regulators) that the findings are accurate and unbiased. And, therefore, recommendations are worth investing in and implementing.

Fresh perspective

External companies bring a fresh set of eyes to evaluate processes, identify inefficiencies, or uncover risks that internal teams might overlook due to familiarity or tunnel vision. They may also be able to compare your organisation's health metrics against industry standards or competitors, providing valuable context.

Focus and dedication

External professionals focus solely on the assessment without being distracted by daily operations or organisational priorities. External companies are likely to follow a structured approach, ensuring the health check is completed efficiently and comprehensively.

Compliance and risk mitigation

External experts are well-versed in relevant regulations and compliance standards, helping to identify gaps and avoid legal risks. Conducting an internal health check could lead to conflicts of interest or cherry-picking data to present a favourable picture, which is mitigated by using an external firm.

Resource optimisation

Using an external firm allows internal teams to focus on their core responsibilities rather than diverting time and effort to health checks. In short, they leave you to crack on with the all-important “day job” and do all of the health-check heavy lifting for you!

And, whilst there is an upfront cost, the insights gained, and risks mitigated almost always outweigh the expense in the long term.

So, we think it’s fair to say external companies bring expertise, objectivity, and credibility to internal health checks, leading to more accurate, actionable, and trusted outcomes.

Now, what are you waiting for?

Your internal comms does a lot of heavy lifting, and it deserves more than just a pat on the back or, worse, a cold shoulder. With an internal comms health check, you’re not just fixing issues, you’re investing in a happier, more connected workplace.

So go on, give your communication strategy the check-up it’s been waiting for.

Trust us, your inbox will thank you.