Social media rapidly penetrate into internal communications in companies. In addition to a more effective cooperation, organizations expect also a greater employee involvement from them. Effectively assessing organizational needs, implementing the right technology and measuring success is, however, not so easy as it may seem. Hrcommunication.com described how to successfully implement social media in internal communications and gain more than just tools that nobody uses.
1. Needs Assessment
Start with the priorities of your company's goals - what you want to achieve through social media? Continue by mapping the current flow of communication within the organization. Suggest your ideal social media ecosystem.
2. Design
Evaluate the potential risks compared with the expected increase in productivity, collaboration and innovation. Develop rules on the use of social media in corporate communications including benchmarks of success. Engage representatives of top management.
3. Implementation
Identify the most effective tools for your needs. Closely collaborate with IT so that your solution could be compatible with existing internal rules and architectures.
4. Sustainability
A repeatable and company-wide training to overcome generational and geographical barriers is an essential prerequisite for sustaining the investment to your social media solution.
5. Measurement and adjustment
Setting benchmarks and truly measure the effectiveness of social media in internal communication is an integral part of the program. Equally important is to get rid of what does not work.
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