The Role of Strategic Communication Pros
Strategic Communications is concerned with the formulation of messages and other forms of communication within an organization. Human Resources (HR) on the other hand, is responsible for recruiting and hiring, processing payroll, maintaining employee records, updating policies, and improving employee relationships.
The communications and HR departments have two separate functions in an organization. But communication is an important part of HR that shouldn’t be overlooked. It ensures that the company’s culture and values are properly instilled in every stage of the employee lifecycle.
In this article, we’ll explore the connection between HR and communications.
What does strategic communication involve?
Strategic communication is all about planning and ensuring that your message will achieve its intended purpose. Companies need to create messages that can convey their ideas correctly. Then, they would pick the best time and date as well as the communication channel to use.
The general purpose of communication is to pass a message across, increase trust and improve relationships. Strategic communication ensures that your message is consistent, precise, targeted, and well-delivered in order to increase the chances of fulfilling that purpose.
Strategic communication professionals have to consider the audience, the purpose of the message, the forms of communication, and the communication channel before sharing any piece of information with the public. They create detailed plans for the communication process.
What type of communication does HR do?
Since HR professionals are meant to manage employees, they are expected to possess great communication skills. The HR department has to disseminate information related to vacant positions, employee training, salaries and benefits, and other news or announcements.
Communication between company leaders and employees isn’t always feasible but HR can help to bridge that gap. They would mention employee complaints and feedback to top executives so they can provide solutions. They ensure employee well-being and satisfaction.
How can strategic communications leaders support HR?
Since HR professionals aren’t very well-versed in communication plans and strategies, they require help from communication experts. For effective internal communications, leaders in strategic communications should support the HR team and provide the resources they need. Below are some useful examples:
- Help HR develop a strategic HR communications plan for a proper and well-organized communication process with both management and employees.
- Assist HR in creating effective internal communications messages and channels in order to promote trust, loyalty, and engagement among teams.
- Communicate the organization’s strategic plans to employees so they can understand the bigger picture. Everyone needs to understand what they should be working on, why it’s important to do so, and how everything connects to the main objectives.
- A communication professional with a master’s in strategic communication and leadership degree can take up a leadership position in HR and play a dynamic role on the organization’s leadership team.
- Develop efficient internal digital communication channels. HR needs to know the most effective communication channels out there and when to use them. Strategic communication leaders will point them in the right direction.
- Assist HR in communicating to employees during times of uncertainty and change, e.g. organizational restructuring, during a financial crisis, when unexpected events occur like a pandemic, etc.
How better employee communication benefits an organization?
Human resources management is responsible for reducing employee turnover and increasing employee retention. Companies cannot survive without many talented and productive workers. So it’s important to ensure that your entire team is happy and willing to work. Below are some benefits of better employee communication:
- Creates better two-way communication between employees and management. Employees should be allowed to express themselves. Management should consider employee suggestions and make amends where necessary.
- Transparency and open communication build trust. It removes communication barriers and helps to create healthy employee relations. It allows for idea sharing, better collaboration, and enables a well-informed workplace.
- Helps employees gain a sense of purpose as they understand the organization’s vision and goals. They would be eager and motivated to do what’s required of them. And they would be happy to be a part of the success.
- Improve the organization’s culture. This
makes employees feel connected to each other and the company as a whole. Good values and culture help to improve employee engagement, and performance and also boosts productivity and work output.
- Prevents and dispels misinformation that employees may receive from other sources. When companies refuse to communicate effectively, employees may start to believe rumors and lies. But when there’s good communication, they’ll believe the source they trust.\
- Provides employees with a sense of belonging and makes them feel valued and respected. The best way to motivate employees is to show how relevant they are to the company. They would be willing to put in the effort and provide the best possible service.
Authored by Alexis Frasier
This post is supported by Co-Creative Marketing