4 real-life examples of good internal communication in the workplace
You hear everywhere that internal communication is important – in manuals and strategies, in meetings and in conversations between employees. But what’s actually behind this buzzword? And how does theory become practice? In this article, we’ll show you real-life examples of good internal communication – and how you can replace the notice board with modern technology.
Internal communication: just a buzzword or an important tool?
If you take a closer look, you’ll realise that internal communication is not just about passing on important information within your company. It’s like a key. This key opens doors to your employees. Good internal communication motivates your employees and strengthens cohesion. It's about more than just emails and meetings. Internal communication connects the different departments, hierarchies, and personalities within an organisation.
Now that we’ve clarified how important internal communication is, let’s tackle the next question: How does it work? We’ll explain this using examples of good internal communication from the real world.
Example 1: Transparent feedback culture in internal communication
Internal communication and a positive feedback culture play a key role in organisational success. According to a Gallup study on employee engagement in Germany, only 17% of employees classify themselves as engaged. The largest group is made up of those who do not classify themselves as engaged (69%), while 14% are actively disengaged.
Introducing an employee app changes the way internal communication is handled. This clever solution gives employees an uncomplicated way to get in touch with each other and exchange information. Chatting, discussion forums, and surveys make collaboration easier than ever before. Anonymous feedback is also possible, which promotes an open and honest feedback culture. Employees feel involved and engaged, which leads to increased efficiency and productivity.
Real-life example: Internal communication at EDEKA Paul
EDEKA Paul was faced with an extremely complex problem that plagues many retail companies: How can you maintain efficient and smooth communication with employees when they work in different stores and often at different times? The solution: An employee app like Flip.
Previously, it was difficult even for employees who were well-informed to maintain an overview of important happenings within the company."
Benedikt Paul
Managing Director EDEKA Paul
With a 97% usage rate and 66% faster information speed, Flip has had a lasting positive impact on communication at EDEKA. The app enables the distribution of information across locations and strengthens employees' sense of belonging. The intuitive and simple user experience of the app makes it easier to access important messages and enables efficient communication.
Thanks to Flip, all employees, regardlessof their shift or location, can always be up to date. But how can you improve your internal communication even further?
Example 2: Digitally connecting internal communication
The way we talk to each other has changed. New digital solutions help us to maintain personal contact with people from all over the world. Despite all these advancements, there is a significant gap between office workers and frontline employees, as most technological innovations primarily benefit office workers. Although non-office workers make up about 80% of the workforce, only about 1% of software investments are made for them. As a result, office workers are constantly equipped with new and faster tools, while non-office workers often have to work with outdated technology, which affects their efficiency and teamwork.
However, digital networking offers numerous possibilities, from social media to video calls and online meetings. Companies can form virtual teams and bring together team members from different countries and locations in real time. This not only improves collaboration and knowledge sharing, but also encourages creativity. It is up to companies to recognise these opportunities and use the right tools to position themselves successfully in an increasingly connected and digital world.
Read how our customer McDonald's Germany used technology to connect its workforce across Germany in our success story with the fast food giant.
Example 3: Breaking down language barriers in internal communication
Language barriers can present obstacles to effective communication between frontline employees and other team members. Unfortunately, managers often underestimate the serious impact that language barriers have on effective communication. The resulting negative impact on mental health and overall efficiency cannot be ignored. To counteract this, organisations can implement various strategies:
Developing clear and concise communication is essential. By using simple language, avoiding jargon, and providing visual aids, organisations can improve understanding across language barriers. Clear and easy-to-understand communication materials help convey information accurately, regardless of language skills.
One solution is to use an employee app with an integrated translation function. This feature enables real-time translation of messages and communication materials, breaking down language barriers and facilitating seamless communication between individuals with different cultural backgrounds. By using this technology, organisations can empower frontline employees to communicate effectively and participate fully in team discussions and collaborations. Learn more about how to speak with one voice and reach your frontline employees from our customer Bauder.
Real-life example: Overcoming communication hurdles with roofing manufacturer Bauder
Bauder’s internal communication challenge? Production employees were not as informed as office staff.
To overcome this, Bauder decided to introduce the Flip employee app. This allows management to communicate digitally with all employees on a daily basis. Employees can share information and interact with it. The app created an equal level of information between production and office employees. As a result, almost 90% of all employees use the app, and there is an active exchange of information across all locations. Internal communication has improved considerably, employee satisfaction has increased, and the sense of belonging has been strengthened.
The introduction of the Flip employee app is transforming internal communication at Bauder. The app enables a modern and equal distribution of information between production and office employees.
Example 4: One platform for everyone – and everything
This article has described in detail why internal comms is important, but how exactly do you go about taking your internal communication to the next level? What tools and platforms are available?
An employee app presents a new centralised platform for more than just internal communication. You can use it for many different purposes in your company.
Choosing the right employee app requires a thorough analysis of your company's needs. Functionality, user-friendliness, and budget play a decisive role here. Another important aspect is the ability to measure success. With analytics, companies can monitor employee retention, engagement, and the effectiveness of their communication measures to ensure that the chosen employee app meets the desired goals.
Successful internal communication is the cornerstone of a company's success. Our customer GLS shows exactly what such an all-in-one platform can look like:
Real-life example: GLS & the Partner Hub
In a world where logistics and transport are constantly growing and evolving, smooth internal communication is crucial. GLS Germany, with its 68 depots, around 550 transport partners, and hundreds of thousands of parcels every day, realised that processes needed to be simplified. They were faced with the choice of developing their own solution or using an existing platform. The decision was made to introduce the Partner Hub, an app from Flip that meets all of GLS’s requirements and has revolutionised its partner communication.
The results speak for themselves: After just four weeks, 80% of transport partners were already registered in the app. A survey of partners showed that 79% felt better informed, 53% felt that the exchange of information had improved, and 41% saved time thanks to the app.
The app enables early information about parcel volumes, which leads to better planning and adjustment of transport capacities. Thanks to the Partner Hub, not only are the transport partners better integrated, but cooperation and communication between GLS and its partners have also improved considerably.
Conclusion
A clear and open form of internal communication has an important effect on employees. If they understand and identify with the company's vision and values, they feel connected and more motivated to achieve the company's goals.
The true importance of internal communication is particularly evident in times of crisis. Well-prepared crisis communication enables the company to react quickly and appropriately to challenges. It ensures that companies keep employees well informed, calm their fears, and give them clear instructions for action. It also enables organisations to protect their reputation and preserve the trust of customers, investors, and stakeholders.
Overall, internal communication is a powerful tool that enables organisations to inspire, inform, and empower their employees. By investing in effective internal communication, organisations can lay the foundation for a successful, well-functioning, and crisis-proof business.
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