4 min read
Are you well prepared for the next crisis that might hit you?
Whether it is caused by pandemics, natural disasters, product recalls, war, cyberattacks, financial scandals, leadership changes, labor strikes, or reputational damage, crises come in many forms, and when they strike it is more important than ever to prioritize internal communications.
Tips on how to put internal communication first
In times of uncertainty, your employees need to feel informed, supported, and connected to your organization. Here are some recommendations on how to prioritize internal comms in a crisis.
1. Establish a crisis communication team
Designate a group of individuals within your organization to manage all internal and external communications during a crisis. This team should include representatives from HR, PR, Legal, and any other relevant departments.
2. Create a crisis communication plan
Develop a clear and concise plan outlining how you will communicate with employees during a crisis. This plan should include key messaging, communication channels, and contact information for the crisis communications team.
3. Communicate regularly
Keep employees informed with timely and relevant updates. Depending on the severity of the crisis, you may need to communicate multiple times a day or week.
4. Provide support and resources
During a crisis, employees may need additional support and resources. Ensure that employees have access to resources such as counselling services, flexible work arrangements, and clear guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency.
5. Encourage feedback and two-way communication
Make sure that employees can ask questions and provide feedback, then use their feedback to refine your messaging and approach to internal communications.
6. Be transparent and authentic
Be honest and transparent in your communications, even if the news is not positive. Authenticity builds trust and credibility with employees, which is essential during a crisis.
7. Learn from the experience
After the crisis has passed, evaluate your internal communications approach and identify areas for improvement. Use this experience to refine your crisis communication plan and prepare for any future crises.
Communications channels
By prioritizing internal comms in a crisis, you can help your employees feel supported, informed, and connected to your organization. This will not only help you navigate the crisis more effectively, but it will also help you build a stronger and more resilient team.
Using a mix of channels such as email and intranets to reach all employees is one way to go. But we recommend opting for an employee engagement app for crisis communication because it is a more effective way to reach employees quickly and efficiently as it provides the following benefits.
If you want to know how to enhance communication and collaboration for workplace success and how to compile an internal communications strategy read more in our blog section.
1. Instant communication
An employee engagement app allows you to communicate with employees instantly, regardless of their location. This is important during crises because time is of the essence and employees need to be informed quickly.
2. Targeted communication
With an employee engagement app, you can target specific groups of employees with customized messages based on their location, job function, or other criteria. This ensures that employees receive the information that is relevant to them and reduces the risk of confusion.
3. Two-way communication
An employee engagement app allows employees to provide feedback and ask questions. This helps organizations quickly identify and address any concerns or issues that may arise.
4. Secure communication
An employee engagement app can provide a secure and encrypted communication channel, which is essential during a crisis when your systems are hacked. This ensures that sensitive information is protected and that employees can communicate without fear of interception.
Do you wish to know more?
To learn more about how Empact strategically designs employee engagement apps that adapt perfectly to your requirements for smoothless communication and collaboration. Feel free to contact us, we will happily assist you in creating a business case and provide a solution that fits your organization.