Communicate through technology

A few weeks ago we talked about internal communication and how effective communication leads to better business results. I presented a number of points on downward and upward communication. These points could be repackaged/massaged/ significantly reworded, and combined with other insights, into a strategy for internal communication.

In relation to the use of technology to enhance communication have a look at Jane McConnell’s Globally local – locally global blog and her post on Mar 27, 2007 about using Web 2.0 technologies.  She proposes a 5 step process in considering these technologies.  Like many internal communication experts, she believes that technology by itself won’t improve communication and that it’s important to understand what employees do rather than making assumptions about what they need.

Interestingly, Rudnick and Kouba find that people have come to expect organisations to provide the same ease of access to information that Google provides. This is their article on the Google effect.  Since some/many people are, or becoming, used to the various social media tools outside of the organisation, some are saying that video will be key to communicating. It may simply mean that a variety of ways to communicate have to exist.

In our internal communication statements, it is worthwhile considering adopting similar ‘rules of engagement’ as outlined in Bob Sutton’s book and blog posts.

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