When you think of mainstay American brands, Nike is probably close to the top of the list. Long known as an innovator in the world of sports apparel and equipment, there’s a certain air of gravitas that comes with owning an item branded with the Nike logo. But all might not be well in Nikeland, with recent layoffs, a pushback against leadership, and a rethink on internal culture prompting the iconic brand to make changes. According to the Wall Street Journal, after Nike laid off 1,600 employees earlier this year, CEO John Donahue said in a meeting with over 20,000 employees that he held himsel ..read more

Choi shared how journalism skills can inform your executive communications at Ragan’s Employee Communications Conference. Amid a transforming and shrinking media ecosystem, it’s no secret that many former journalists become successful communications leaders. Journos who rely on PR pros often foster a symbiotic understanding of each other’s strengths, while the professions share many of the same core skills— with listening to your audience at the center. Opening the final day of Ragan’s Employee Communications and Culture Conference in Chicago, Ragan Content Director Jess Zafarris went deep wit ..read more

Data from the 2024 Communications Benchmark Report shows in-person communications methods rising in priority as more employees head back to the office. Communicators could be forgiven if they’re feeling a little bit of whiplash. After loudly beating the drum for a return to office in 2023, corporate bosses appear to be taking a step back and accepting that remote and hybrid work is here to stay. According to a survey of U.S. CEOs conducted by KPMG, only one-third expect a full return to the office in the next three years, down significantly from just last year, when a solid majority (62%) expe ..read more

Don’t assume all members of your workforce have been to an office before. Lauren King is a senior associate at Mission North focused on tech and innovation storytelling across consumer, enterprise, and life science and health industries.   Over the past three years, we’ve witnessed the resurgence of ‘pre-pandemic’ life. From travel to live entertainment, people are eager to reclaim the experiences we once cherished, including swapping sweatsuits for pantsuits and returning to in-office routines. I vividly remember the first time I heard the term “return to office” (RTO) because ..read more

It doesn’t have to just be a place with holiday announcements and workplace policies. A company’s intranet doesn’t need to be an afterthought. Sure, it’s a place where HR can put announcements about upcoming days off and post documents that outline company policies. But your intranet doesn’t need to be a snoozefest of paperwork — with the right amount of influence from communicators, it can also serve as a place where employees can go to learn and connect on a deeper personal level. There’s a balance of factors that you should consider to make your intranet really sing. When those right notes ..read more

Empowering, not replacing, corporate communicators with AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) is hyped to become a transformative force across all industries. According to Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global AI market was valued at $95.6 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow with a 32.9% compound annual growth rate to reach $1.85 trillion by 2030. As the use of AI expands, it has the potential to revolutionize HR and corporate communications by linking data with content, but we must use it responsibly. According to Top Trends in Privacy Driving Your Business Through 2024, a report by Gartn ..read more

Some ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ for virtually engaging with your colleagues. When the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer reports that people trust their peers more than other authority figures, communicators are reminded just how much our daily interactions make an impact on how our colleagues feel. Each touchpoint and message is an opportunity to reinforce trust, cultural engagement and a sense of psychological safety – all of which foster belonging and enrich the employee experience. Without proper guidelines or rules of play for remote interactions, however, managers and peers alike may be uncertain whe ..read more

Uncover the truth behind employee engagement with active listening and VoE data. When it comes to understanding employee engagement and satisfaction, Voice of Employee (VoE) data takes center stage. Capturing the thoughts, emotions and experiences of your workforce can uncover insights that shed light on factors that influence their commitment to productivity. The truth lies in the alignment between company culture and employee expectations. Workloads, retention rates, productivity, innovation and HR efficiency are all crucial elements of a healthy company culture. According to recent findings ..read more

Humor tips from a presidential speechwriter. Adam Kiefaber is an experienced communicator, who has led PR teams for Fortune 500 companies in payments and financial services. Previously, he spent nearly 10 years as a journalist working for The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Post and CNN.   In today’s changing corporate culture, the leaders we support have a communication problem.  After the last few years of uncertainty – talk of recession, return to the office, or ramifications when speaking out about societal issues – our CEOs and leaders are having trouble finding the right wo ..read more

Delve into the latest trends centered around the employee experience and key tools and strategies that internal communications teams leverage to connect with employees across their organizations efficiently. Employers understand that employee engagement does not mean employee happiness, so in 2024 they are all about perfecting the employee experience to retain talent and strengthen teams. Enhancing engagement with innovative tools and integrations  With the ongoing popularity of remote and hybrid work, traditional methods of internal communication are being challenged (and before you ask ..read more