Change communications is tough. Foggy business plans; aloof/petrified senior leaders; hard-to-pin-down project plan; resistant employees (of all levels!) - us communicators brave/silly enough to work in change management have seen it all. And, for the most part, we love it (I know I do). But sometimes, the volatile and hectic nature of change environments can … Continue reading Change Communications: the GIF that keeps on giving
Tag: Internal Communications
3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore
If you’d have told me when I graduated from my psychology degree course a decade ago that I’d be willingly writing about the topic, I’d have laughed my head off. It’s not that I didn’t like psychology – it fascinated me. I just didn’t like university much (a post for another day!). But here I … Continue reading 3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore
VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!
A few months ago, I was invited to speak at Leadership and internal communications: an essential partnership, the first global online conference by the fab H&H communications agency. It was my first time speaking at the conference and while I was very nervous, I was absolutely made up to be asked! Delivering a presentation applying … Continue reading VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!
Groupthink – when more heads aren’t better than one
Picture this: you've made the invite list for your organisation's exec board meeting (hopefully, as a strategic IC advisor). At your first meeting, during a group discussion about a proposed high-impact business change, a senior leader suggests a completely unworkable course of action. Before you can even think "holy shizz - this is bad!", the meeting … Continue reading Groupthink – when more heads aren’t better than one
5 times the Internal Comms community was the absolute best!
This month marks 3 years since I took my first step towards a career in Internal Communications by attending a CIPR Inside Annual General Meeting. I can still picture it now. Me, a frustrated health admin manager who’d only heard of IC a couple of months before, sat on my own in a room filled … Continue reading 5 times the Internal Comms community was the absolute best!
Valentine’s Day 2019: Why we love solving employee challenges
Tomorrow millions of people across the world will open heart-adorned cards and exchange sweet nothings across candlelit dinner tables in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re celebrating with your special someone or engaging in some self-love practices, it’s hard to deny the good feeling that comes from being in love. Whether that’s with another human, … Continue reading Valentine’s Day 2019: Why we love solving employee challenges
5 easy-peasy ways to make your intranet irresistible to employees
Happy New Year! I hope, like me, you're still filled with Christmas cheer and excited about what 2019 has in store. This year, I've decided to continue focusing on my 2018 goals – one of which was to incorporate more academic insights in my internal communications (IC) practice and this blog. I made some great … Continue reading 5 easy-peasy ways to make your intranet irresistible to employees
5 easy ways we can become more inclusive internal communicators
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is one of the hottest topics in business at the moment, thanks in part to recent high-profile initiatives such as gender pay gap reporting, #BlackLivesMatter and the #MeToo movement. And with increased diversity in the workplace being linked to enhanced financial performance, team problem-solving power and employee engagement, it’s no wonder … Continue reading 5 easy ways we can become more inclusive internal communicators
The Big Yak 2018: what I learned connecting with other internal communicators
Like Charlie Bucket in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I was one of 160 internal communication (IC) professionals lucky enough to bag a ticket to this year's #TheBigYak. https://twitter.com/annique_simpson/status/979328268863201281 Run by comms veterans Rachel Miller, Jenni Field and Dana Leeson, the unconference brings together IC pros from different orgs, sectors and geographies to … Continue reading The Big Yak 2018: what I learned connecting with other internal communicators
Employee engagement and personality: all for one and one for all?
As some of you know, I was recently awarded a distinction for my CIPR internal comms certificate course (yay!). For my final assignment, I explored the various tactics that internal communicators can use to help employees physically, cognitively and emotionally harness themselves to their individual roles and organisation (i.e employee engagement). But what if some … Continue reading Employee engagement and personality: all for one and one for all?
Studying Internal Communications – my story
Last Friday, I graduated for the second time. It was noticeably different to my first graduation ceremony for my undergraduate degree. No cap and gown, no crying mum and no worrying about what I’ll do with the rest of my life. However, unlike my undergrad, I joined the CIPR Internal Communications (IC) certificate course not … Continue reading Studying Internal Communications – my story
Five lessons I’ve learnt as a communications assistant
After 10 months as a communications assistant in an NHS hospital trust, I’m leaving to take up an internal communications (IC) executive role at a large professional services firm. To mark this special occasion (and my first blog post!), here are five important lessons I’ve learnt as an assistant: 1. Comms is much more than … Continue reading Five lessons I’ve learnt as a communications assistant
Annique Simpson 