What is internal communication?
Let’s start simple: internal communication is how information moves within your organization, from leadership to teams, between departments, and peer-to-peer. It’s how people stay informed, make decisions, and feel connected to the company’s bigger picture.
But internal communication isn’t just about sharing updates. It’s about building culture, fostering alignment, and making sure everyone, from new hires to senior execs, knows what’s happening and why it matters.
Great internal communication means fewer misunderstandings, faster execution, and a stronger sense of belonging across the company.
Why internal communication matters
The modern workplace moves fast. Without solid internal communication, things fall apart: teams operate in silos, projects lose momentum, and employee engagement & trust fades.
But when it’s done well? It drives everything from employee engagement to business performance. According to HR Brew, employees who receive regular updates are 2x more likely to say they understand their company’s goals and mission.
And it goes beyond clarity, good communication builds trust. It keeps people motivated, reduces turnover, and fuels a healthy culture. It’s not an add-on. It’s a business essential.
The real-world challenges companies face
Internal communication isn’t easy—especially in a hybrid world. Most organizations run into roadblocks, and many don’t even realize it until things start slipping.
Let’s talk about the most common triggers.
🔹 Siloed information
Departments that work in isolation create gaps in knowledge. One team doesn’t know what the other is doing, and that slows everything down.
Worse? It creates duplicate work and conflicting priorities.
🔹 Change fatigue
Change is constant. But without clear communication, change becomes chaos. Gartner reports that 73% of change-affected employees experience moderate to high stress—and it impacts performance and morale.
🔹 Too many tools, not enough clarity
Email. Chat. Video calls. Task managers. Newsletters. It’s a digital overload.
Without clear processes and integrated platforms, people waste time jumping between tools, hurting productivity and increasing burnout.
🔹 Weak culture connection
Gartner also highlights that employees who feel culturally connected are 37% more productive. But if leadership fails to communicate values clearly and consistently, that connection breaks down.
Best practices for stronger internal communication
Enhancing internal communication is pivotal for organizational success. Here are five best practices, to guide your strategy:
🔹Communicate with intent, not volume
Effective communication prioritizes quality over quantity. Bombarding employees with messages can lead to information overload and disengagement. Instead, focus on delivering clear, concise, and relevant information. As highlighted in The Times, concise and impactful messages keep employees informed and engaged.
🔹Make space for feedback
Two-way communication channels are essential. Regular surveys, open forums, and casual check-ins empower employees to voice their opinions and concerns, fostering a culture of transparency and trust. Forbes emphasizes the importance of listening to employees to create an 'uncomfortably transparent' culture.
🔹Train leaders as communicators
Managers and team leads play a crucial role in disseminating information. Providing them with training on effective communication strategies ensures that messages are delivered consistently and clearly throughout the organization. There is the need for leaders to present information with authenticity, simplicity, and relevance.
🔹Segment your messages
Not all information is pertinent to every employee. Tailoring communication based on departments, roles, or locations ensures that employees receive relevant information, reducing noise and increasing engagement.
🔹Embed communication into your culture
Integrating effective communication practices into the organizational culture reinforces their importance. Consistent messaging across various channels, helps in building trust and aligning employees with company goals.
By implementing strategies like these, organizations can foster a more engaged, informed, and cohesive workforce, driving overall success.
How technology supports communication
Let’s face it, how we communicate at work has changed dramatically. We’re no longer gathering around the coofee machine or relying solely on email threads. Technology has become the backbone of internal communication, and it’s reshaping the way teams connect, share, and collaborate.
But with so many tools out there, it’s not just about having technology, it’s about having the right technology, used in the best way.
🔹From clutter to clarity
One of the biggest benefits of modern tech is its ability to simplify how information flows. Centralized platforms and collaboration tools help teams work together in real time, access shared documents, and stay aligned, whether they’re in the same office or scattered across the globe.
But there's a catch: too many disconnected tools can lead to digital clutter and communication fatigue. According to a 2023 article from Harvard Business Review, ineffective digital collaboration tools can actually reduce productivity and create confusion if not integrated properly. That’s why it’s critical to choose platforms that are easy to use and tailored to your company’s communication goals.
🔹Intranets: a missed opportunity?
Intranets were once the go-to space for internal updates and resources, but engagement is dropping. According to Forbes, only 13% of employees use their intranet daily, and 31% never use it at all. This shows that static, outdated platforms aren’t cutting it anymore. Employees expect dynamic, intuitive spaces where they can interact, not just consume information.
🔹The remote reality
As hybrid and remote work continue to be the norm for many, the need for accessible communication tools has never been greater. Forbes reports that as of mid-2024, 13% of U.S. full-time employees work fully remote, and another 26% follow a hybrid model. That means nearly 40% of your workforce isn’t in the office every day.
In this environment, mobile-friendly platforms, cloud-based tools, and asynchronous communication channels are essential. It’s not just about real-time messaging, it’s about giving people access to important updates and resources, no matter where or when they work.
🔹Smarter tools, better insights
Beyond the basics, emerging tech is pushing internal communication into a smarter future. AI-powered assistants, automation, and analytics are giving comms teams powerful new capabilities. For example:
- AI can help personalize content for different employee segments or recommend relevant information based on user behavior.
- Automation can handle routine tasks like reminders, approvals, or content scheduling.
- Analytics tools offer insights into message reach, engagement rates, and sentiment, so you can actually measure what’s working (and what’s not).
According to Gartner, organizations that use data and analytics in their communication strategies are 3.5x more likely to outperform peers in employee engagement metrics.
How to measure success and keep improving
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. To really understand if your internal communication is working, track metrics like:
- Employee engagement: Are people reacting, responding, and participating?
- Intranet usage: How often are employees using your platform to find or share info?
- Feedback quality: Are employees giving thoughtful feedback or just checking boxes?
- Message clarity: Are messages understood the first time, or do they spark confusion?
- Surveys, pulse checks, and platform analytics can give you a clear picture of what’s working—and what’s not.
How Diggspace boosts internal communication
At Diggspace, we know internal communication isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s the foundation of an aligned, productive, and happy team. That’s why we built a platform that helps companies communicate better from day one.
Whether you're sending a company-wide announcement, creating a space for team discussions, or helping new employees find what they need Diggspace makes it easy.
With features like:
- Centralized hub: Keep all updates, documents, and discussions in one place.
- AI-powered assistant (Diggy): search and develop content
- Out-of-the-box integrations: Seamlessly connect with tools employees already use and access to APIs to develop your own integrations.
- Content scheduling and analytics
Whether you’re onboarding new employees, sharing product updates, or launching company-wide initiatives, Diggspace helps you boost internal communication efforts and employee engagement.