University wide
communications
internal
Sue Hagues, Internal Communications Manager
What is int. communication?
• Internal communication is the glue that
binds together an organisation’s
employees with its values and objectives.
• It is important to bring staff together, to
inform them of developments in the
University so that their values and work
reflect the University’s own and they help
spread the word about our excellent
reputation.
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Benefits of internal comms.
• Increased
passion for,
commitment to
and alignment
with the
organisation's
strategies and
goals
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Benefits of internal comms
• A high-energy working environment with
increased productivity and good morale
• Creates a sense of loyalty in a competitive
environment
• Attracts more people like existing
employees which increases trust in the
organisation and leads to higher retention
rates
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Benefits of internal comms.
• Creates a
community at
the workplace
and not just a
workforce
• Improves
student
experience and
loyalty
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Internal comms: What we do
• Offer advice on how best to communicate
with your staff
• Help enable communications channels like
e-newsletters
• Disseminate key University messages –
for example, the VC’s updates and blogs
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Internal comms: What we do
• Raise the profile of internal
communications through talks,
presentations, workshops, and the ICN
• Produce Overview, the monthly staff
newsletter
• Produce the staff web page, and maintain
Twitter @sheffunistaff and change on a
regular basis
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Incident management and
business continuity
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Internal comms: What we do
• Offer tailored advice and communications
solutions to support University activities
• Look to improve all methods of internal
communications within the University
• Enable incident communications
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Channels of communication
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Channels of communication
• Face to face – presentations, talks, meetings,
team briefings, seminars, Faculty Forums
• Printed – newsletters, posters, magazines,
brochures, reports, letters, prospectus
• Electronic – Email, fax, plasma screens,
Internet; social networking such as Facebook,
Twitter, Linked In, uSpace, text messaging and
e-newsletters
• Telephone
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10 top tips for communicating
•
•
•
•
Silence is not an option
Face to face and two-way is most effective
Explain your vision, values, key messages
Give timely, clear, concise, informative
and interesting information. Don’t use
jargon or acronyms.
• Tie in with external communications
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10 top tips for communicating
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10 top tips for communicating
• Lead from the top
• Stick to agreed messages
• Say what you mean and understand it
• Use confidence to create confidence
• Use a method your staff prefer
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Further information
http://www.shef.ac.uk/internalcomms/
• Internal communications toolkit
• Internal Communicators Network
• Overview, or start your own e-newsletter
• Help and advice
• Sue.Hagues@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone
011422 29857 or
Malcolm.Roberts@sheffield.ac.uk or
telephone 011422 29987.
• Twitter: @sheffunistaff
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