University wide internal communications

Sue Hagues, Internal Communications Manager

What is int. communication?• Internal communication is the glue that

binds together an organisation’s employees with its values and objectives.

• It is important to bring staff together, to inform them of developments in the University so that their values and work reflect the University’s own and they help spread the word about our excellent reputation.

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Benefits of internal comms.

• Increased passion for, commitment to and alignment with the organisation's strategies and goals

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Benefits of internal comms• A high-energy working environment with

increased productivity and good morale

• Creates a sense of loyalty in a competitive environment

• Attracts more people like existing employees which increases trust in the organisation and leads to higher retention rates

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Benefits of internal comms.• Creates a

community at the workplace and not just a workforce

• Improves student experience and loyalty

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Internal comms: What we do• Offer advice on how best to

communicate with your staff

• Help enable communications channels like e-newsletters

• Disseminate key University messages – for example, the VC’s updates and blogs

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Internal comms: What we do• Raise the profile of internal

communications through talks, presentations, workshops, and the ICN

• Produce Overview, the monthly staff newsletter

• Produce the staff web page, and maintain Twitter @sheffunistaff and change on a regular basis

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Incident management and business continuity

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Internal comms: What we do• Offer tailored advice and

communications solutions to support University activities

• Look to improve all methods of internal communications within the University

• Enable incident communications

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Channels of communication

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19/04/23 © The University of Sheffield

Channels of communication

• Face to face – presentations, talks, meetings, team briefings, seminars, Faculty Forums

• Printed – newsletters, posters, magazines, brochures, reports, letters, prospectus

• Electronic – Email, fax, plasma screens, Internet; social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, uSpace, text messaging and e-newsletters

• Telephone

10 top tips for communicating• Silence is not an option• Face to face and two-way is most effective• Explain your vision, values, key messages• Give timely, clear, concise, informative and

interesting information. Don’t use jargon or acronyms.

• Tie in with external communications

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10 top tips for communicating

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10 top tips for communicating• Lead from the top

• Stick to agreed messages

• Say what you mean and understand it

• Use confidence to create confidence

• Use a method your staff prefer

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19/04/23 © The University of Sheffield

Further informationhttp://www.shef.ac.uk/internalcomms/• Internal communications toolkit• Internal Communicators Network• Overview, or start your own e-

newsletter• Help and advice• Sue.Hagues@sheffield.ac.uk or

telephone 011422 29857 or Malcolm.Roberts@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone 011422 29987.

• Twitter: @sheffunistaff