What's in store for this edition:

• Internal Communications

  • Do you have your company’s mission, vision, and co …

  • Strategy for Communicating

• NEWSWORTHY: How McDonald's handles a controversial subject 🍟

• COOL or CRINGE: The Chinook are back after 112 years

• TOOLKIT 🧰 — Beehiive Newsletter Platform

• Attention Seeker of the Week 🐶

Internal Communications

Always there, waiting to be addressed are these questions —

Who are we (as an organization) ?

What are we trying to achieve?

and Why are we trying to achieve it?

They are the essence of internal communications.

No matter your company’s size, the ability to clearly communicate these answers to team members can lead to better recruitment, motivation, and retention of talent. Every team, whether in the office or on the field, needs effective communication to work toward goals. Without it, they will struggle and ultimately fail to succeed.

Internal Communications is more than what leaders tell employees; it’s also about what employees think and feel about their organization and workplace.

Communications is a two-way street, it isn’t just top-down; it includes feedback loops where employees feel heard and valued. Think suggestion boxes, anonymous feedback channels, and regular check-ins.

Good communication practices = a firm foundation for interacting with employees.

Bad, zero, or inconsistent communication practices = confusion, missed goals, and reduced success.

Do you have your company’s mission, vision, and core values statements ready?

• Mission statement: Why you’re in business.

• Vision statement: What you aim to achieve.

• Core values: The unwavering principles that guide your organization, even in times of change or challenge.

Keep these principles in mind when writing these statements:

• Mission statement: Keep it succinct, clear, relatable, and believable.

• Core values: Values should be meaningful to the company and not just formulaic.

Strategy for Communicating

Your communications strategy should not be reactionary. It should be strategic and purposeful, with each message reinforcing your company’s values, goals, and initiatives.

1. Identify your (internal) audience

2. Set clear goals

3. Establish communication channels

4. Implement a process

Channels can include: email or other team communication apps like Slack, virtual team meetings, streamed video, signage, and newsletters.

All communications should be authentic, honest, regular, straightforward, accurate, and clear.

Note to leaders: Your employees spend much of their waking hours at work. This is one of the most significant relationships in their lives, so share as much as possible and keep them informed. This not only shows respect but also makes them feel part of something important. Remember, your words matter.

💫 Pro Tip: Have employee become ambassadors, spreading messages or sharing updates. Sharing the love.

Do this now: Review the following questions that form the foundation of an organization's activities and make the answers easily available to your employees.

1. What is your mission statement? ___

2. What is your vision Statement? ___

3. What are your core values? ___

4. Extra Credit: What is your unique value proposition? ___
   (What makes your brand or business special?)

How will you make it available to all employees? ___

Next week: Things you should NEVER do in public relations.

Get PR techniques from recent news.

Newsworthy

Donald Trump visits McDonald’s

This is what Internal Comms did to let employees know what was going on and why.

Do you notice how they made reference to their core values? “We open our doors to everyone.”

They have “election tool kit” and other “resources to continue to support you.”

“The strength of our brand comes down to our people.”

By writing the letter they acknowledge the confusion that maybe caused by such an action, and want employees to know the position they take, and the reasoning behind the action.

💫 Pro Tip: Thank your employees for their hard work.

✍️ Key PR Takeaway: Branding, consistency, grace and empathy are used.

Learn from others.

100% Cool : 0% Cringe

The Chinook are back after 112 years

A press release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this great news.

✍️ Key PR Takeaway: Both press releases are found on their respective websites along with hi-resolution photos which made it easy for big publications, even outside of the region, like the Los Angeles Times and the Guardian to pick up the fishy story.

Useful PR Resources.

🧰 TOOLKIT

Beehiiv Newsletter Platform

Now here is a tool that I use to bring you the weekly Attention Seeker newsletter every week — Beehiiv.

A possible Internal Comms channel for you, newsletters can be a great way to keep employees aware of goings-on within the company.

Why I like Beehiiv:

• Easy to use

• Generous FREE plan for up to 2,500 subscribers PLUS you can use your own web domain (a feature rarely found for free)

• Built in tools for a blog website and growth

Attention Seeker of the Week

10 month old Oona, and her litter mates were found starving behind a bowling alley. Thanks to Five Friends Animal Rescue she is living her best laberdoodle life ever with her new family. To get attention she will lick your face to wake you up and paw at you when it’s time to go outside. Watch out lizards and frogs, you’re going to be terrorized by this 27 pound professional lap dog.

The Golden Arches public relations department, aka Comms department, had a rough week, with 3 major crises. I’ve seen much speculation about how they will fare. I think they will be fine, they are McDonalds and have gone through much worse. 🍔

Until next week, keep your shades on and stay cool.

Your fellow Seeker,
Keren

🕶️