When developing internal communication strategies for organisations, I make sure that I seek out employees’ thoughts on how they would enhance communication within their companies.
Throughout the years, the most common response from employees is that they value strong internal communication with senior management and being regularly updated on the organisation’s news.
I recall how one employee was particularly frustrated at how he constantly found out what was happening in his company from people in his social circle than from his management.
Many organisations prioritise enhancing their external communications strategies over their internal approach.
However, various studies have shown that companies with strong internal communication have more productive employees and are more likely to achieve their financial goals.
In essence, success starts from within.
A study by global consultancy Deloitte found that organisations with engaged workers are 17 per cent more productive than those with less engaged employees.
When it comes to profitability, employee engagement is a driving factor.
A study by analytics and advisory company Gallup considered the differences in employee performance between engaged and disengaged work units. It found that those in the top quartile in employee engagement outperformed bottom-quartile units by 21 per cent in profitability.
Separately, a study by Fierce, a leadership development company, revealed that 86 per cent of respondents blamed ineffective communication for workplace failures.
Before working on developing external communication strategies, it is essential that organisations ensure that effective internal communication is in place.
When employees are well informed about their organisation’s objectives and targets and know how they can play a vital role to ensure it succeeds, it will positively impact their engagement and motivate them to excel.
In addition, an effective internal communication strategy helps to foster collaboration between departments and employees, which is more important now that many companies have a remote workforce and maintaining engagement becomes a priority.
An internal communication strategy can be executed in many ways – from ensuring there are several communication channels in place, such as weekly staff meetings and the use of internal circulars and emails, to keeping employees informed and up to date with events.
Improving communication within and across organisations through social technologies could raise productivity and interaction between employees by 20 per cent to 25 per cent, according to global consultancy McKinsey.
Thumbtack, a modern home management platform, uses different internal communication channels such as internal newsletters to keep its remote cross-continental workforce informed and prevent them from feeling disconnected.
As important as it is to develop these internal communication strategies and dedicate various channels to keep employees informed, a culture of transparency needs to be adopted and it has to begin from the top.
Company leaders should be open and transparent with their employees about the challenges and opportunities the organisation faces, and have an open-door policy where workers feel comfortable to raise concerns and share suggestions.
Some strategies I found to be effective are scheduling periodic circulars from the chief executive to employees, organising a monthly chief executive lunch with different departments, or holding a company-wide meeting twice a year or every quarter, where staff are encouraged to share their feedback.
An effective communication strategy not only ensures employee engagement but can also help organisations reach their financial targets faster
Manar Al Hinai
Organisations can follow the example of Google, one of the most favourable workplaces globally because of its strong work culture and focus on employees.
The organisation’s culture encourages employees to collaborate with each other and share ideas with senior management.
An effective communication strategy not only ensures employee engagement but can also help organisations reach their financial targets faster.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications adviser based in Abu Dhabi
Kandahar%20
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MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Honeymoonish
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Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Read more from Mina Al-Oraibi
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
More coverage from the Future Forum
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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