Benchmarking internal communications: formal strategies bring success

Internal communications are significantly more likely to be both successful and effective if supported by a formal communications strategy, according to 2010 benchmarking research from IRS for XpertHR.  The IRS/XpertHR Benchmarking survey on absence is based on responses from 109 employers with a combined workforce of 411,415 employees.

In addition to detailed analysis of the internal communications media used by UK employers, the survey also provides extensive benchmarking data on: internal communications methods used; how internal communications are used in managing major organisational change programmes; and the role played by social media in internal communications. 

Subscribers to XpertHR Benchmarking can drill down into the complete benchmarking data from the 2010 survey of internal communications. 

XpertHR Benchmarking subscribers can click on the links to access full benchmarking data on each of the following key findings, then apply filters where necessary to view data by sector, organisation size, and/or region:

• Fewer than half of respondents have a formal, written employee communications strategy in place. 
• Employers with a formal internal communications strategy are more likely to agree strongly that internal communications have contributed greatly to the success of the organisation than those without such a strategy. 

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• Organisations taking an ad hoc approach to internal communications are significantly more likely to say that employee communications have had a negative impact on employee engagement. 
• Verbal communication is considered the most effective way to achieve key communication goals in many areas. These include: improving or maintaining employee relations; and keeping employees informed about organisational changes and strategies. 
• Traditional methods continue to dominate internal communications.