How are internal communications changing for mobile workers?

Internal communications is becoming an increasingly difficult area to manage for corporate affairs executives. Not only are the potential avenues for reaching out to staff increasing in number, there are also profound changes affecting the way that employees operate. One of these is how work is now moving out of the office, as employees take…

Internal communications is becoming an increasingly difficult area to manage for corporate affairs executives. Not only are the potential avenues for reaching out to staff increasing in number, there are also profound changes affecting the way that employees operate.

One of these is how work is now moving out of the office, as employees take their responsibilities on the road or into their homes. The effects of this trend are already becoming clear, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that 13 per cent of workers have the option of working from home.

While these trends represent a positive development for employees looking to improve their productivity, there are still risks involved, especially around corporate communications. Failing to keep remote workers interested with internal communications can lead to disengagement and harm the external perception of your company.

So how can companies improve their internal communications towards employees that are increasingly mobile and located outside of the office?

The first step is to set clear guidelines for flexible working, especially when it comes to being reachable and responding to corporate announcements. Setting these expectations is going to be vital for ensuring that a remote working policy is successful in the future.

At the same time, consider using the same technologies that have enabled remote working and apply these to your internal communications.

Both cloud computing and mobile devices have been instrumental in providing a flexible working environment. These developments also offer an opportunity for companies to use this technology to achieve greater connections with employees who are outside the office.

Finally, the method of communication will differ depending on the type of flexible work a company offers. If workers are choosing their own hours, this will be a very different challenge compared to those who are working regularly from home. Matching a communication strategy to these challenges will be essential for making the most of a flexible workplace.

Setting up processes and mechanisms which can reach workers, no matter where they are is going to be an increasingly important company activity and a new challenge for communication professionals.

Discover insights.

12.13.2023

Creating messages that cut through social media, news cycles and even the humble inbox has never been easy, but, with more noise across more channels, it’s become more important than ever to create messages that stand out and land with impact. Visual communications tools are gaining traction as a way of shaping messages that hit…

05.10.2023

Looking for greater choice in the contract options available to you? Having history and rapport with a specialist recruiter like Fraser Clapcott will open doors to opportunities you may have missed for yourself, that add value for both contractor and employer. In the current climate of uncertainty, a willingness and propensity for flexibility comes with…

05.04.2023

If you’ve been ruminating on changing-up your comms career, now may be the ideal time to talk with your trusted recruiter about making a move. Salt & Shein Director, Lucy Newcomb, sees significant scope for motivated communicators to broaden their career horizons, and make the job of their dreams a reality, in 2023. “A rapidly…

Discover insights.

12.13.2023

Visuals hit the mark in a fast-paced world

Creating messages that cut through social media, news cycles and even the humble inbox has never been easy, but, with more noise across more channels, it’s become more important than ever to create messages that stand out and land with impact. Visual communications tools are gaining traction as a way of shaping messages that hit…

05.10.2023

Rapport yields exceptional results for contractors

Looking for greater choice in the contract options available to you? Having history and rapport with a specialist recruiter like Fraser Clapcott will open doors to opportunities you may have missed for yourself, that add value for both contractor and employer. In the current climate of uncertainty, a willingness and propensity for flexibility comes with…

05.04.2023

Curious about the current state of play for communicators?

If you’ve been ruminating on changing-up your comms career, now may be the ideal time to talk with your trusted recruiter about making a move. Salt & Shein Director, Lucy Newcomb, sees significant scope for motivated communicators to broaden their career horizons, and make the job of their dreams a reality, in 2023. “A rapidly…

Salt & Shein
10.21.2022

How to Drive Value Using Digital Marketing

Digital marketing drives value – for those who keep pace Faster communication, lower costs, higher conversion – is there anything digital marketing can’t do? Its ability to drive value from every step of the marketing process is unprecedented, but maximising this value is a demanding exercise. We asked two specialists in this area to tell…

06.14.2022

Economic Challenges Threaten to Cloud the Focus on ESG

ESG is just one challenge on Government’s long list The government’s election promises around environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues were instrumental in its victory a few weeks ago, reflecting a mandate to treat climate change, gender equity and other ESG matters as essential. “Australian businesses know that action on climate change is good for…

05.31.2022

Addressing the skills shortage

Unlocking opportunities for families across Australia As a boutique executive search firm, we’ve seen up close the impact of Australia’s labour shortage as the pool of candidates continues to shrink, limiting the growth of careers and businesses – and hampering national productivity. With some 425,000 job vacancies across Australia, no wonder the OECD recommended that…

04.04.2022

Leadership: Why showing employee appreciation and care can go a long way

Everyone has to start from somewhere. Meaning you’ve probably held an entry-level position at one point or another, in which trying to impress the higher-ups in your company was a major part of your job.   This article will explore why employee appreciation and recognition are a vital part of holding a leadership role not…

03.18.2022

The future of recruiting includes ESG initiatives

Whether or not a company acknowledges how much their social, environmental and governance (ESG) decisions impact the world around them, candidates are taking notice. Most job seekers will pass over a company that is not taking steps to improve how they show up outside of their business metrics for an organisation that does.    This…

01.31.2022

Changes to the work environment in the new norm

People all over the world and especially in Australia have faced incredible challenges in the past two years. Those businesses that survived multiple shutdowns and policy changes are finding new ways to adjust as they enter the post-COVID work environment. As offices begin to reopen, enterprise leaders are not only deciding among the options of…

12.16.2021

Solving the skills shortage: Closed borders and adjusting expectations

With the revolving door of new COVID-19 regulations, variants, opened (then closed again) borders and an exodus of non-Australian workers, the workforce across the nation is facing a severe skills shortage.  Despite these challenges, there are solutions. The secret to overcoming this qualifications shortage lies in taking a proactive approach to hiring through policy changes…