Good internal communication within a charity: Why it matters and how to do it right.
Good internal communication within any organisation is essential for any business that wants to be successful. This is no different in a charity. When well-informed and engaged, teams are more likely to be productive, creative, and loyal.
There are many benefits to good internal communication. For example, it can:
- Increase team morale and productivity
- Improve decision-making
- Reduce staff turnover
- Foster a sense of community and belonging
- Enhance service delivery
So how can you create a culture of good internal communication in your charity?
- Be clear and concise. When communicating with staff or volunteers, ensure your messages are clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargon and technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with. As a dyslexic initials can be difficult for me.
- Be consistent. Communicate regularly with your teams and use the same channels for all of your messages. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page, even if the page is virtual.
- Be open and transparent. Be honest about the charity's goals, challenges, and successes. This will help to build trust and create a sense of shared ownership.
- Make it flow in both directions. Don't just talk at people, listen to them too. Ask for their feedback and suggestions and be open to their input.
- Use a variety of channels. Don't just rely on email or intranets to communicate with them. Use a variety of channels that are appropriate for your audience. Several charities that I have worked with had staff who did not use computers or social media and so a printed newsletter that could be shared in staff rooms worked really well.
Having a digital trustee to champion engagement is a great way to drive good communication.
Good internal communication is an investment that will pay off in the long run.