Fast fact: In one short year, 60 percent of the workforce will be Millennial or Gen Z.
As millennials have taken over the workplace, employee communication has transitioned to decidedly more technical methods like text, Google chat, Slack and other digital forms. The messages being communicated have changed, too. We’re no longer just sharing when to meet or when a product launches. We’re crafting messages that make millennial employees feel heard and appreciated. That’s one reason a strategic internal communications plan is so important to staff retention.
Our internal communications team is very focused on engaging employees for our clients. But, since you can always learn something new, we recently attended a PRSA seminar to hear about what trends might be coming down the pike in 2019. Here are some key takeaways:
- More employee generated content: Employees know when the communications department is sharing a canned message or when their executives are just reading from a script. It’s important for employees to feel like these messages are authentic. One way to ensure authenticity is to have the message come from employees themselves. Bylined blog posts, podcasts hosted by non-marketing employees and videos from non-office workers are all ways to boost the “real feel” of your content.
- More two-way communication: Just as your staff wants the message to feel real, they also want to feel heard. Short surveys offer employees a chance to speak their minds on a relevant topic. Executives should be prepared to answer feedback with ways they are changing a policy or issue—or not.
- More video: With the rise of Instagram stories, it should come as no surprise that video is popular. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that integrating video has to be a big production—iPhone videos can be just as effective as conveying your message traditionally and appear more authentic.
- More podcasts: According to Nielson, 44 percent of the population listened to a podcast in 2018. More companies are using podcasts to reach workers in and out of the traditional office. Consider using a podcast to share messages from executives, introduce new benefits or provide training to employees.
Gallup’s State of the Workplace survey showed that 70 percent of employees admitted they aren’t engaged at work. Buck that trend, and engage your employees by resolving to incorporate one of these trends!
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.