Mince pies and advent calendars are in the shops and the John Lewis Christmas advert has been released (worth a look if you like penguins).
That can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming and it’s time to start planning for next year (okay, two things).
To help you prepare for your internal communications next year we’ve put together some thoughts and links to useful resources.
What were the low points?
You’ve made it through 2014, but what were the worst bits? It’s true that we may not wish to look back on things that went wrong but in reality they can be the elements we learn most from.
Even if the projects in question aren’t going to be repeated in 2015, have a look at them, ask yourself why they went wrong and what could have been done to change the outcomes.
What were the high points?
A common point but worth mentioning – do look back at where and how you were successful in 2014 to help you replicate successes next year. Consider how your successes in one area could be applied to others.
What can roll over to 2015?
The end of the year usually means a big push in certain areas to finalise, publish etc. things that need to be out in 2014. It is good to have so much activity but there is a danger of things happening ‘for the sake of it’. Ask yourself if something could be improved upon and work better if it was launched in 2015.
Don’t consider it a failure if you were unable to complete the work in 2014, sometimes good things come to people who wait!
What are the other departments planning?
It is easy to make your internal communications plans in isolation, or by solely relating them to the overall business plan, but what are the other departments – IT, HR, Marketing etc. – up to? Finding out at an earlier stage means more opportunities for collaboration or may give you some new ideas for your plans.
Don’t forget your ‘basics’
The end of the year is often the time that we look forward and consider new things but don’t overlook what you already have for the ‘new and shiny’. You have your current channels for a reason, why is that and are they meeting their set goals?
Keep up to date with the internal communications industry
There have been many changes to the industry over 2014 and there are numerous ways to keep up with new things in the industry, either following blogs, going to different events or signing up to regular emails (for example our Storyboard emailer).
Good places to find new events are The IC Crowd Calendar, Engage for Success Calendar and the IoIC events section.
Other useful things
Articles
Ragan – 10 ways to plan for 2015 in internal comms
http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/10_ways_to_plan_for_2015_in_internal_comms_48858.aspx
All things IC – How to write an internal communication strategy
http://www.allthingsic.com/ic_strategy/
Melcrum – 9 steps to effective strategic communication planning
How To guides
Research and learning new things can be tricky and Sequel Group have created eleven free How To guides to effective communications covering everything from apps to video, strategy to intranets and more. They are a good place to start if you want new ideas and tips for working effectively.
http://www.sequelgroup.co.uk/how-to-guides-to-effective-internal-communications/
SWOT Analysis
Think about your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the year gone and the year ahead. You may want to consider outsourcing this for full effect or you can run this internally, templates like these can help get conversations started: