Internal Communications: A Manual for Practitioners

by Liam FitzPatrick, Klavs Valskov

Overview

Get internal communications right in your organization and the benefits are clear: motivated staff, better financial performance, a strong external reputation and delighted customers are just a few of the reasons why getting your message over to staff effectively matters.

Internal Communications explores what good practice in internal communications looks like, providing a no-nonsense, step-by-step approach to devising an internal communications strategy.

Written by experts with extensive experience as consultants and in-house leaders in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, Internal Communications covers how to build an internal communications team and plan; devise messages and decide which channels to use; work with line managers and senior leaders; research and evaluate internal communications and support change within an organization.

Supported by easy to follow models, example explanations of the core theory, and case studies, it provides students and internal communicators alike with the practical tools and advice they need to make a difference in an organization. The book is also supported by online resources, including slides for lecturers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398696143
Publisher:	Kogan Page, Ltd.
Publication date:	01/26/2021
Series:	PR In Practice
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.45(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Liam FitzPatrick is Joint Managing Partner of change communication consultancy Agenda Strategies. He has worked both in-house and for major consultancies running change campaigns, developing communications teams and advising on metrics and evaluation. Liam co-founded the Black Belt series of training for internal communicators and lectures and has served as an external examiner at UK universities. A Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations, he has been involved in planning the education and training of PR practitioners. He is a also member of the Global Certification Council of the International Association of Business Communicators.

Klavs Valskov is Joint Managing Partner of change communication consultancy Agenda Strategies. Since 1999 he has worked in PR, marketing and communication with organisations including L'Oreal, Accenture, Nordea Bank and the Danish Government. From 2008-2013 Klavs was the award-winning Global Director of Communication in Maersk Line managing a team around the world working on public relations, crises, internal communications, social media and customer campaigns. Klavs is part of the Advisory Board at the Institute of Business Communication at Copenhagen Business School. He holds a double MA in Communication and Business Studies.

Table of Contents

** Chapter - 01: What internal communication is and why it matters; ** Chapter - 02: Organizing internal communication; ** Chapter - 03: Planning; ** Chapter - 04: Audiences; ** Chapter - 05: Messaging; ** Chapter - 06: Channels; ** Chapter - 07: Why line managers matter and how to support them; ** Chapter - 08: Working with senior leaders; ** Chapter - 09: Change; ** Chapter - 10: Research and evaluation for internal communicators; ** Chapter - 11: Developing yourself and the team

Editorial Reviews

"This book sets itself apart from others through its combination of theory and practical tips and templates. It is a joy to read - written in such an engaging, accessible way that anyone can understand it. From managing change communication to advising leaders and creating compelling messages, this book covers all the vital areas for any IC function."

Saskia Jones

"I wish I'd had a guide like this when I started out in internal communication....I'd recommend this manual to anyone working in internal communication; it's a great reference point for the start of any new communication challenge!"

Jenny Clark

"This is a must-read for everyone responsible for developing or managing internal communications. It builds on the most important experience shared by leading experts over the past decades and elegantly summarizes this into a current overview of what internal communicators must do to add value to the business."

Torben Bundgaard

[A] practical approach to developing an internal communications strategy for an organization, and explores how to get a message to staff during times of crisis. ...[A] powerful assessment of tools and their applications, recommended for any business pursuit."

Midwest Book Review - California Bookwatch

"This is a very useful resource for everybody who works in internal communications. The book is very well structured, while easy and entertaining to read. FitzPatrick and Valskov provide practical and hands-on insights without neglecting the basic theoretical knowledge. It certainly helps professionals to develop a valid strategy and to hone it. Far from being highbrow, the book is demanding to the reader in a very positive sense - simply because the authors ask the right questions. I specifically like that the book is permanently focused on the very essential core of IC: adding value to the business."

Director Associates Communications, Robert Bosch GmbH - Dr. Jorg Kirchhoff

"More and more companies are realizing that every meaningful conversation about their business begins with the people closest to it - employees. And yet, few have invested in the development of this practice. The book provides valuable insight to help with planning and delivery. I particularly found the chapter on measurement useful as it provided clear steps on the essential things to take into consideration on what can be a complex issue."

CCO, GE Oil & Gas - Rebecca Lowell Edwards

"Internal communication is more critical than ever and this book shows managers how to excel in their job and how to best deliver value to their organizations. It also provides practical insight on effective planning and delivery. The chapter on change was especially useful as it outlined clear and vital steps to follow."

Head of Group External Communications, UBS - Tim Cobb