Understanding internal communication
Internal communication keeps everyone informed, aligned, and connected. It's how organisations share strategy, announce changes, cascade information, and enable collaboration. Good internal communication supports engagement and reduces the confusion that comes from information gaps.
Communication flows
- Top-down: Leadership to employees
- Bottom-up: Employees to leadership
- Horizontal: Peer to peer, team to team
- Diagonal: Across levels and departments
Why it matters
- Alignment on goals
- Employee engagement
- Reduced confusion
- Trust and transparency
Communication channels
- Email: Formal communication, detailed information, records
- Instant messaging: Quick questions, informal coordination
- Intranet: Central repository for policies, news, resources
- Team meetings: Discussion, updates, collaboration
- All-hands meetings: Company-wide updates from leadership
- One-on-ones: Personal feedback, concerns, development
- Notice boards: Physical locations, shift workers
- Mobile apps: Reaching workers without desktop access
Reach everyone
Desk-based workers have different communication access than frontline staff. If you only use email or intranet, you're missing workers without regular computer access. Consider how every employee will receive important information.
Best practices
Effective internal communication
Measuring effectiveness
Engagement metrics
- Email open and click rates
- Intranet page visits
- Meeting attendance
- Survey responses
Outcome metrics
- Awareness levels (pulse surveys)
- Behaviour changes
- Fewer "I didn't know" situations
- Employee feedback quality
Common mistakes
Communication without listening
Broadcasting information but not enabling feedback. Communication is two-way - employees need channels to respond, ask questions, and share insights upward.
Information silos
Teams and departments not sharing information with each other. This creates duplication, conflicting approaches, and missed opportunities for collaboration.
Overwhelming volume
Too many messages, channels, and updates lead to important information being missed. Be selective and consolidate where possible. Make information findable rather than pushed constantly.
Key takeaways
Internal communication keeps employees informed, aligned, and engaged. Effective communication is clear, consistent, two-way, and reaches everyone regardless of their role. Match channels to messages and audiences, and measure both engagement and outcomes.
RosterElf's staff management supports internal communication through integrated messaging that reaches shift workers via mobile app.
