Our regular look at some of the top news, views and opinions from around the wonderful world of IC…
Our friends in IC have been busy on LinkedIn, starting conversations on themes ranging from trying to solve cultural issues to building a solid business case.
Timpson’s key to success
But let’s start this month’s post with a great story with a great message from Head of Corporate Communications, Hannah Lang.
She relates how the loss of her car keys meant a trip to high street favourite Timpson.
Hannah says she’d heard the founder of the business on the radio the day before – he’d presented Timpson as a decent employer – and she was interested to find out what the people who work there felt.
When she got to her local branch the guy there turned out to be a remarkable advocate for Timpson, explaining what a great company it was to work for.
And as Hannah concluded: “It seems to me that this is a company whose purpose shows up as clearly for customers and frontline staff as it would back at head office, and also demonstrates that visible, accessible leadership counts for a lot.”
What’s the problem? Comms or culture?
Strategic communications expert Emily Heckler, meanwhile, started a thoughtful debate on whether a business has an internal communication problem or a culture problem.
She says issues with organisational culture can easily be mistaken for IC issues and explores a few examples of what might really be at play, in her LinkedIn post.
“Organisations often declare themselves ‘people-centric’,” she says. “While the internal communication team’s work may reflect that, other factors like leadership behaviours also need to align.”
What do you think?
Putting your case forward
CIPR president elect Advita Patel has a timely reminder about internal comms professionals being able to write a solid business case as we approach a lot of people’s year-end in March.
Advita says: “One of the best skills I learned as an internal communication professional was how to write a solid business case.
“If your budget year ends at the end of March, the likelihood is that you’re probably being asked for your projected spend for the coming year. But if you’re not getting the requested budget, a compelling business case may help you.”
Advita lists her ten top tips after picking the brains of a friendly Head of Strategy in exchange for some presenting skills advice!
Only the lonely…
Last, but not least, there’s a new networking group for IC professionals – it’s called the Lonely Comms Club.
It’s been set up by comms expert Carly Murray, who says: “Are you a lonesome IC pro looking to chat to other like-minded and lonesome IC pros? Simply DM me and as a club we’ll catch-up every now and then to chit-chat about all things IC.”
Carly says she can guarantee two things – there won’t be any pressure even to turn up, and it will be a sales-free zone.
Any thoughts on any of the topics discussed this month? Drop us a line or comment below, and we’ll be back with more IC news next month.
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