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Chat and

Connect

People consume content on tablets and phones; and if they don't know
something they Google it, look on YouTube or find a TED talk. They use social
media to connect and engage with family, friends, colleagues, mentors and
tribes. Many company intranets fail to work effectively because they do not
match how people work, live and communicate. Your communication,
information and learning environments need to align with this world and your
content needs to be repurposed to fit in with it. Life is more informal – people
chat and connect - communication needs to mirror this world in style and tone,
but not by dumbing down content to soundbites.

Digital tools, can be transformational if used in the right way. We are talking
about collaboration frameworks with integrated Apps like Slack, Microsoft
Teams and Facebook Workplace; plus pulse survey tools and chatbots. They
facilitate dialogue in a way that mirrors how people use social media in their day
to day lives – colleagues can work, listen, watch, ask and learn; choosing when to
participate, give feedback and voice their views. They can help companies
communicate, connect and build trust by being credible sources of information
and by encouraging dialogue. They do require a commitment to keep them real,
relevant, alive and vocal.

To get the most from digital technologies you also need to be clear what they
cannot, or what you do not want them to do for you. They are tools that can
dramatically enhance information dissemination and increase dialogue but they
will not lead and engage people. They are one part of a multi channel
communication strategy that also has to include regular face to face
communication with Leaders and Line Managers. Face to face chat and connect
are still major parts of these two roles in your business – to facilitate engaging
conversations, deliver the WHY narrative and create the emotional connection to
make people feel valued. Technology is just part of the solution – people and
great content are the enablers.
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