It's not uncommon for organizations to place the weighty task of crafting and delivering internal messages on the shoulders of Human Resources (HR). On the surface, it makes sense. After all, HR departments interact closely with the workforce and have an in-depth understanding of the company culture, making them seemingly well-equipped to handle internal communication. However, positioning HR as your default internal communications expert may not be the most effective strategy for sustained employee engagement and connection. Let's delve into why.
Although HR and internal communications are both critical components of an organization and interact closely with employees, they specialize in different areas.
Human Resources professionals focus primarily on managing the organization's human capital. They handle hiring, employee relations, benefits management, and legal compliance, among other concerns. It’s an HR professional’s job to ensure that all employees have the necessary resources and support to perform their roles effectively and efficiently.
On the other hand, Internal Communications (IC) professionals concentrate on promoting clear, effective communication within the organization. They manage the complex architecture of information flow, ensuring that employees at all levels have the necessary information to carry out their duties, aligning individual goals with the organization’s vision, and fostering a sense of community and engagement.
Crafting and driving a robust internal communications strategy warrants specialized skills. IC professionals play a strategic, consultative role in the organization. They employ research to understand the communication needs of different sectors of the workforce and use that data to design a tailored communications strategy.
HR personnel, while attuned to employees' needs, may not have this specific communication expertise. As a result, IC implemented solely by HR may miss the nuances necessary for targeted communication, potentially leading to disengagement.
A core facet of internal communications is the ability to measure the effectiveness of communication. IC professionals have the training and skill to interpret analytics, measure communication ROI, and evaluate engagement levels. These metrics enable them to adjust their strategies according to the shifting needs of their audience.
While HR professionals may also collect data, their lens of measurement generally revolves around HR-specific goals, perhaps missing critical IC insights such as the correlation between engagement levels and communication effectiveness.
To effectively engage the modern workforce, a fusion of efforts from both HR and IC departments is necessary. While HR brings an extensive understanding of employee needs to the table, IC professionals apply their communication expertise to promote this understanding throughout the organization.
Rather than entirely shifting the burden of internal communication onto HR, businesses must recognize the value of separate but collaborative HR and IC roles. By refreshing your perspectives on the intricate world of internal communication, leveraging these distinct yet complementary functions, you're setting the stage for a connected, engaged, and productive organizational culture.
Let's delve into the world of ICaaS (Internal Communication as a Service) together. At Sparrow Connected, we offer ICaaS solutions tailored specifically for your business, to streamline your internal communications and ensure your message is consistently delivered to your entire team. Our informed and engaging ICaaS approach empowers your workforce, fostering a culture of engagement and two-way communication.