Internal communications (IC) in the workplace refers to communication within a business itself, primarily between internal stakeholders. It goes without saying that IC in modern businesses is very different from how it was a decade or two ago, and this evolution could be majorly attributed to advancements in technology, as well as circumstances or events that have shaped IC in the workplace like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modern businesses are incredibly reliant on technology, so it is not a surprise that they leverage tech when it comes to IC. In this blog, we will cover the evolution of IC in modern businesses and what this means for the future of IC in the modern business world.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Internal Communications in Businesses
Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced IC as we know it today. The pandemic showed that IC is incredibly important in businesses, not only between employees, but also between business leaders and their employees as well. Meaningful communication needed to be fostered during this time where offices were forced shut with employees working from home.
One way that this was achieved was through businesses undergoing a digital transformation, particularly through the implementation of a Unified Communications (UC) approach (if they had not done so already). This meant the incorporation of a range of applications and tools that bolstered effective communication, productivity, and collaboration of which includes things like:
- Instant messaging (IM)
- Voice and video conferencing
- Screen sharing
- Centralised drive
- Real-time document editing
These are all often integrated on a single platform, allowing employees to easily use and access the apps and tools. This platform may be accessible on a variety of compatible devices including laptops, desktop PCs, mobile phones, tablets, etc.
When employees had to work remotely, a UC platform was an excellent way for them to stay connected to each other despite not being collectively in the office. This meant that they were able to work from home with access to files and data that they needed to carry on with their tasks, regardless of their geographical location.
Internal Communications in a Post-Pandemic Business World
Now that lockdowns have ended, the concept of UC is still as popular, particularly as many businesses have decided to adopt a hybrid working model which sees time spent both in office and at home during the working week.
There is now increased pressure and expectation on business leaders to effectively and efficiently communicate important information to their employees. This is something that has emerged from the pandemic as some businesses supplied vague advice and information during this time, often in relation to social distancing and other pandemic restrictions.
The Future of IC in Modern Businesses
We are now seeing global or national workforces that are cultivating online work environments of collaboration and productivity due to the use of UC tools that allows them to work together remotely.
In terms of IC, technology plays, and will continue to play an important role in modern businesses, especially ones that are leaning towards remote working. IM apps, voice and video calls for meetings and conferences will particularly be the main channels of communication within businesses.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
