Your first New Year’s Resolution: Why you should start the new year with an Internal Comms Health Check
As businesses prepare to enter the new year, they naturally take stock of goals, budgets, and operational strategies. But there’s one crucial area that can often be overlooked: internal comms. And that breaks our Gurus’ hearts. A well-implemented internal comms strategy keeps everyone aligned, engaged, and productive — yet even in the best of workplaces, communication issues can arise and evolve over time. This is where an internal comms health check comes in, helping businesses identify potential issues and fine-tune strategies for optimal employee engagement and efficiency.
Here’s why every business, regardless of size or industry, should prioritise an internal comms health check going into the new year.
1. Identify gaps in communication channels
As hybrid and remote work models continue to redefine the workplace, many companies have added various tools to support communication, from email and chat to video calls and project management software. But without periodic evaluation, these systems can quickly lead to information overload or communication silos. According to a 2023 McKinsey report, many employees feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communications, with up to 20% of their time spent searching for information.
An internal comms health check can help you assess which channels are effective and which ones may be creating bottlenecks or hindering productivity. Perhaps email threads are being overused for discussions better suited to real-time chat, or maybe employees are missing key updates because important messages get buried. Identifying and realigning these channels can drastically improve communication flow and make work life more manageable for employees.
2. Gauge employee engagement and satisfaction
In 2024, engagement and satisfaction are more crucial than ever. According to Gallup's recent State of the Global Workplace report, only 23% of employees worldwide feel engaged at work. An internal comms health check is a great opportunity to survey employees, either through interviews or anonymous surveys, to understand their perspectives on internal communication. Are they receiving information when and how they need it? Do they feel comfortable giving feedback?
When employees feel well-informed and valued, their engagement increases, which positively impacts morale and productivity. Regularly assessing and adjusting internal comms ensures that engagement levels remain high, helping to reduce turnover and improve overall company culture.
3. Align communications with business goals
As businesses grow or pivot, communication strategies must evolve to keep pace. A check-up on internal comms enables businesses to make sure messaging aligns with new goals and strategies. For instance, if a company is expanding into a new market, internal communications should reflect this shift to help every team understand their role in this new chapter.
Without clear alignment between communication and business goals, employees may lack the clarity they need to contribute effectively. As companies evolve, a health check lets leaders adjust messaging so that everyone knows not only what is happening, but also why it’s important. In turn, this fosters a stronger sense of purpose and clarity throughout the organisation.
4. Boost transparency and build trust
Trust is essential for any successful workplace, and transparency in communication plays a vital role in building it. According to a 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer study, employees who feel that their employers are transparent and trustworthy are more likely to be loyal, engaged, and productive. (And it really shouldn’t have taken a study to confirm that!) Regularly evaluating internal comms practices helps ensure that information flows transparently from top management to entry-level employees.
A comms health check could highlight areas where transparency is lacking, such as delayed updates on company changes or inconsistent messaging. Improving transparency with clear, timely communications, such as regular updates on company performance or team successes, strengthens trust across the board. Employees who feel trusted are more likely to reciprocate by being loyal and engaged team members.
5. Improve efficiency and reduce communication overload
Without intentional structure, internal communications can become chaotic. Multiple messages, emails, and notifications can distract employees and interrupt workflow. A health check allows companies to assess whether there is an overload of communication or, conversely, if there is insufficient communication in certain areas.
Streamlining communication can be transformative. For example, setting standards on when to use specific channels, like reserving email for formal updates and using Slack for quick questions, helps reduce noise and ensure that messages get noticed and acted upon. By doing so, you can reduce cognitive load on employees and improve their focus and efficiency.
6. Boost innovation and collaboration
Internal communications play a pivotal role in how employees collaborate and share ideas. When communication channels are poorly structured or inaccessible, collaboration suffers, as do opportunities for innovation. A survey by PWC found that companies with strong internal communications are 1.5 times more likely to report high levels of innovation.
An internal comms health check allows organisations to examine how well current channels support collaborative work. Are employees in different departments able to easily connect and share insights? Are there barriers to knowledge sharing? Addressing these issues through streamlined communication tools and practices can foster an environment where innovation thrives.
7. Enhance employee well-being
Internal communication is not just about conveying information; it plays a huge role in supporting employee well-being. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, stress, and even a sense of isolation. A report by Deloitte found that 80% of employees believe a positive communication environment is vital to their mental well-being.
A comms health check can help identify whether current practices are positively or negatively impacting employees' mental health. For instance, if constant notifications and after-hours emails are affecting work-life balance, adjusting communication practices can improve overall well-being.
Is this something you can do internally?
Yes, absolutely. And if it’s the only option, then we still recommend doing it. But, bringing in an external organisation offers distinct advantages, providing a fresh, unbiased look and specialised expertise that often leads to more actionable insights.
Here’s why outsourcing your internal comms health check can be a game-changer.
Objective insights, free of bias
When a company assesses its own internal comms, there's a risk of blind spots and biases. Team members are often too close to the day-to-day processes to spot underlying issues, which can lead to overlooked problems. External specialists bring a neutral perspective, helping to reveal gaps or inefficiencies that internal teams may miss.
Specialised tools and expertise
External organisations that focus on internal communications bring years of expertise and often use assessment tools that go beyond standard metrics. They understand best practices, benchmarks, and trends across industries, enabling them to provide not only an accurate diagnosis but also targeted recommendations based on proven strategies. Their knowledge can also help identify innovative methods to improve messaging, transparency, and team alignment.
Saves time and increases productivity
Conducting an internal comms health check in-house can be time-consuming and pull team members away from their primary responsibilities. By outsourcing this task, companies can save valuable time and keep productivity on track. Plus, external experts usually work more efficiently since they’re dedicated to the project and not juggling other responsibilities.
Greater credibility and employee trust
Employees are more likely to be candid in feedback to an external party. When staff feel that responses are reviewed by an unbiased third party, they may provide more honest insights, allowing companies to obtain a truer picture of internal communication effectiveness and areas for improvement.
Make Internal Comms Health Checks an Annual Tradition
A New Year’s internal comms health check sets your business up for better engagement, productivity, and satisfaction in the months to come. And an external comms health check provides a level of objectivity, expertise, and efficiency that can lead to more meaningful improvements.
As companies become increasingly dependent on digital tools and face ongoing shifts in work culture, a regular review of internal communications will help you stay agile, transparent, and aligned with your business goals.
Start the new year with a strategic approach to internal communication and see how it positively impacts not just your workflow, but your team’s morale and company culture. With a clearer, more effective communication strategy, you’ll be well-positioned to tackle 2025 with a motivated and connected workforce.
Think we can help? Get in touch! We’d love to chat.
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