Before we create any action plan, we need to understand what makes your organisation tick.

Using a widely recognised approach we measure the effectiveness of your existing internal communications, engagement strategy and associated processes and behaviours.

Initial research covers your organisation's functions, departments and geographic locations. We work with representatives from all areas to ensure that local strengths and cultures are integrated into your engagement and communications strategy.

Channels of communication: What's already in place? Do you have team briefings, an information cascade, bulletin boards, an intranet, company newspaper? Are they effective? Do you have regular roadshows and conferences? Are they open to all employees? How accessible is your top team? Can employees email the chief executive or use hot-phones to board members?

Content: Do your channels have effectively targeted, engaging content? You may have any number of channels but if your content isn't right for its audience, your messages won't get through.

Behaviours: Do you have a communication culture? Do your managers embrace communication or see it as an extra burden. If the attitudes are negative, they'll undermine your communication efforts and make stakeholder management more difficult.

Once we've completed our review we check that communication is aligned across recruitment, induction, day-to-day communication, reward and recognition, and change communications. The same messages should also extend across your PR activity and press coverage.
 
We make sure the four I's are in place.

	Do your communications inform employees about changes that will affect the organisation?
	Do they instruct employees about new ways of working?
	How does your organisation involve employees to gain their buy-in and loyalty?
	How do you integrate your messages into a practical and effective communications plan?