Looking for tips on creating internal communications that land – and stick? In this Moment from The Internal Comms Podcast, Steve Crescenzo shares a few things you absolutely must keep in mind. He calls them ‘the four Cs’. Creative. Think outside of email and your intranet. As Steve’s son told him, “Young people are not reading their emails and they aren’t visiting websites”. We have to think differently. Compelling. We must demonstrate the benefit to the audience in every piece of comms. Conversation. Strip out the jargon. Remove the corporate speak. Use your weekend words – without the swearing! Concise. Use your creativity to make sure comms are short, snackable and memorable. As CEO of Crescenzo Communications, Steve has decades of experience helping internal communicators inspire, engage and deliver strategies. And in this 10-minute clip, you’ll get some of his most valuable advice. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-35-how-to-do-less-but-do-it-better/

“I realised I was probably a pretty crap listener,” Mike Roe tells Katie Macaulay in this Moment from The Internal Comms Podcast. We often go to leaders and start by asking them something entirely different to what we are really there to ask. It’s down to leaders, says Mike, to ask the right questions and really listen to the responses. So, Mike took a leadership course that equipped him with invaluable skills to really connect with his colleagues. “Learning to ask powerful questions, being curious enough to ask those questions of others and yourself and being confident enough to shut up and let this resonate with somebody was transformational,” says Mike. Got questions of your own? Tune in to discover just how important they are. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-63-lessons-in-leadership/

At IKEA, choosing the right words when communicating with the workforce is everything. Guy Britt, IKEA’s Global Head of Co-worker Comms, tells Katie Macaulay the use of ‘co-worker comms’ instead of internal or employee comms is very deliberate. “It’s based on the fact that those we’re communicating to are people,” he says. The team at IKEA want to activate their colleagues; inspire them, and create a two-way dialogue. The language they use matters. The tone, and respect they have for their colleagues is what really engages them. Communicating in this human way to a large, global workforce like IKEA has its challenges. Getting the right message to the right people, on the right platforms – it’s not one size fits all. So, how does IKEA reach and engage their unique audiences? Tune in to find out. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-57-unboxing-internal-comms-at-ikea/

If you have ever attended one of Shel Holtz’s presentations, you will know that, more often than not, it’s standing room only. Shel has a remarkable ability to anticipate what's next for internal communication, a knack for seeing what's around the corner and an in-depth understanding of how technology is revolutionising our world of work. Since Chat GPT was made public in November 2022, AI has dominated the headlines. So, who better but Shel to talk us through the implications for internal communications? His insights are fascinating. For years at the forefront of technology and communication, Shel is currently Senior Director of Communications at Webcor, a California-based building and engineering company. He’s the author of several essential communications books and the co-host of For Immediate Release, a podcast for comms professionals now into its eighteenth year. Share your thoughts on this, or any other episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. Happy listening! Learn more about the opportunities for AI to transform your internal communications in a Creativity now! webinar from AB: https://abcomm.co.uk/abthinks/best-tools-for-creating-ic-audio-content/

Does your approach to internal communication have the human touch? It’s essential to the humans you employ, says Victoria Dew, CEO of Dewpoint Communications and an internal comms aficionado. And it’s good for business, too. If you’re relying on people to run your business – and not robots or machines alone – then Victoria says you should be creating an environment where those humans can bring their whole, authentic selves to work, not just when it suits the business. Human beings are messy, they’re complex and they’re brilliant. And if you want the brightest and the best people on your team, and you want them to stick around and give their all to your mission, you must create a place where they can thrive. As Victoria says, “The best and smartest people don’t just innovate, collaborate and lead 9-to-5, and then go back into their little boxes, like a robot, until you go get them the next day.” So just how can you create that human-centric business? And why is it so important? Tune in to find out. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-61-embracing-the-messiness-of-being-human/

Ever feel like, as an internal communicator, you’re fighting an uphill battle all by yourself? This week’s guest on The Internal Comms Podcast has exactly what you need. Host Katie Macaulay welcomes internal communications strategist, author, and certified communication management pro, Emily Hecker. With over a decade of experience under her belt, Emily has been a one-person team at a string of organisations and has just written a new book, Me, myself and IC: Building internal communication as a team of one. She’s made the case for the importance of internal communications to CEOs and frontliners alike, elevating the profession beyond what she calls the “copy, paste, send factory” to a strategic business function. Internal communicators often find themselves working alone, shoehorned into a variety of functions. But even if you work in a wider team, this episode has a range of insights for you –from the best way to interview a potential employer to setting boundaries and defining your remit. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of The Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

This week on The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay is joined by Sim Sian, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Mitie, and Yvonne O’Hara, formerly Mitie’s Group Head of Internal Communication and Engagement. Equality, diversity and inclusion, or ED&I, is fast climbing the corporate agenda. Creating an equitable environment that celebrates diversity and includes everyone is no longer a nice to have – it's a business and social imperative with tangible impact on workplace success. Internal communicators are in a unique position when it comes to ED&I and we can play a vital role in pushing it forward and embedding it within teams, leadership and the wider business. For Sim and Yvonne, their ability to work in a symbiotic way comes with a mutual understanding of the importance of ED&I and comms as individual disciplines and complementary functions. The result? A dynamite employee value proposition (EVP) project that celebrates and includes all of the diverse experiences, backgrounds and orientations at a 70,000-colleague business. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of The Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

In this episode of the Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay is joined by Access Group’s Global Head of Communications and Engagement, Paul Downey. Paul caught Katie’s attention on LinkedIn, where he was discussing his unique approach to internal communications for a global, largely remote audience. With over 6,500 colleagues to engage, Paul had to shake things up for the Access Group’s annual global employee event. He shares his secrets to success in this episode. Katie and Paul also discuss his recipe for internal comms, which involves adopting a no-slides rule and creating content as opposed to the “death by PowerPoint” approach some of us will know all too well. He says content should be delivered Netflix-style: on-demand, snackable and story-led. Inspired, he created Access TV. This episode is a masterclass in both engaging and including those hard-to-reach employees. It’s about telling stories and empowering leaders to go on a journey and try something different. And it’s about having the tenacity to know you’ll succeed. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. Thanks for listening.

In this episode of the Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay is joined by Anne Morriss. Anne is an entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and the Executive Founder of the Leadership Consortium, an accelerator dedicated to helping leaders thrive. And cutting across it all is Anne’s commitment to fixing things. On Fixable, a podcast she co-hosts with her wife and business partner Frances Frei (a professor at Harvard Business School), she solves listeners’ workplace problems in just 30 minutes. Her new book, How to Move Fast and Fix Things, remakes a phrase popularised by Mark Zuckerberg and offers a five-step plan for leaders to tackle any workplace issue in just one working week. And her brilliant TED Talk – ‘Five steps to fix any problem at work’ – has 1.4million views and counting. This is a conversation about how we as communicators, teams and organisations can do more. How we, as Anne puts it, “can operate at the frontier of speed and trust”. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

It’s often said we must understand the past to build the future, and that sentiment sits at the very heart of this episode. This week on The Internal Comms Podcast we welcome professors Michael Heller and Joe Chick, of Brunel University. Michael and Joe were recently awarded a considerable grant from the UK government to write an institutional history of the internal comms function in the UK – and they join host Katie Macaulay to discuss IC’s humble beginnings and its evolution over time. Internal communications is nothing new, of course. As you'll hear, it has a rich and vibrant history, dating all the way back to the 1800s. So why this research? And why now? Through their work, Michael and Joe hope to give us IC practitioners a clearer sense of our occupational history, and in turn enhance our professional identity. For too long internal communicators have been seen as lesser than other comms professionals, and legitimising our journey to the present day is just one way we can secure our seat at the top table. Join us on a fascinating journey through the history of the profession, one we think will inspire and energise you to build the new era of IC. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of The Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

Season 10 of the Internal Comms Podcast kicks off with one of Katie’s most compelling conversations yet. Shil Shanghavi is a public speaking specialist, storyteller and head of speaker coaching for TEDx, Perth. He's gained an international reputation for both his captivating keynote speeches and the way he coaches others to speak. He helps everyone from business leaders to students (and now Internal Comms Podcast listeners) to face their fears, control their emotions and form a genuine bond with their audiences. But here’s the thing. Shil has a severe stutter and juggles several complex strategies to communicate effectively with his audience. He joins Katie in the first episode of season 10 of the Internal Comms Podcast to discuss those surprising strategies, as well as his use of AI in coaching, the difference between storytelling and ‘story sharing’, building bonds while networking, overcoming a fear of the audience, a daunting stint in stand-up comedy and his desire to play for Manchester United. As always, share your thoughts on this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

Our summer break is drawing to a close, Katie has dusted off her mic and we’re ready to launch Season 10 of The Internal Comms Podcast! This season, we’ll be welcoming more of the bright lights in the communications industry to the hot seat. Packed with insights from some of the most influential comms leaders from all corners of the globe, this season is a must-listen for anyone honing their internal comms craft. We can’t wait to share these episodes with you. Stay tuned!

In this moment, we catch up with Mike Klein, former political consultant, modern-day communications stalwart, and two-time guest on the Internal Comms Podcast. Mike breaks down how organisations can find the four types of influencers that operate within the proverbial ‘walls’ of the business. When segmenting our workforce to find out who we’re actually communicating with, there’s a quartet of potential players in the mix, says Mike. Tune in to explore the role of every colleague, from your important followers who are “building the boat” day in, day out, to the impactful influencer group, and how each type of colleague leaves their own unique mark on the way your business is run. And that three per cent? They’re worth getting to know. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-18-editing-organisations/

What’s our one true purpose as internal communicators? It’s the question we’re all seeking the answer to. This moment takes us back to when Katie first welcomed Sue Dewhurst and Liam FitzPatrick, co-authors of Successful Employee Communications: A Practitioner’s Guide to Tools, Models and Best Practice for Internal Communication, and masterminds behind the Melcrum Black Belt training programme for IC professionals. Internal communications is about creating meaning, say Sue and Liam. In today’s world, with the complexities and pressures of our working lives, communicators are the key to assigning meaning and digging deeper for colleagues. How can we frame things in a meaningful way and help our peers can find their own meaning? Tune in to find out. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-17-black-belt-thinking/

If there’s one thing we’re clear about at AB, it’s that communication should not be a one-way street. And that’s what this moment is about. We head back to Episode 13, where Katie sat down with the ‘Doctor of IC’, Kevin Ruck, to explore exactly how communication needs to shift at each level of an organisation. They discuss the theory that line managers are the most important communicators in any business, the flawed cascade comms approach, how senior leadership can sharpen their tools and how to get to the heart of what frontline colleagues actually need from internal comms. Is it time for a shift in approach? Tune in to find out. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-13-a-check-up-with-the-ic-doctor/

As communicators, we could often do with slowing things down a little. In this moment, Henry Normal – author and co-founder of production company Baby Cow, which he founded with Steve Coogan – explains to Katie how life with his autistic son Johnny has taught him many valuable lessons about how we communicate with one another. From the problem with the question “Why?” to the importance of tolerance and respect, there’s more than a few lessons to take away from this heart-warming moment. Come for the feel-good storytelling, stay for the wisdom. Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-06-the-craft-of-communication/

Have you heard of an inside-out approach to communication? It’s no secret that today’s internal comms messages seep into the world outside the office walls. After all, anything you say to your colleagues, bar protected IP and trade secrets, should be fit for external consumption. We’ve seen it time and time again: a leader sends out a poorly advised all-company email and it ends up on Twitter. It’s a reputational nightmare. But this goes beyond reputation. In this moment, Katie and Rachel Miller get to grips with the importance of being purpose led. Customers and colleagues are voting with their feet, walking away from businesses with values that oppose their own. Organisations should be asking, What’s our purpose? What do we believe in? As Katie says at the end of each episode, “It’s what’s inside that counts.” Listen to the full episode here: https://abcomm.co.uk/podcasts/episode/episode-01-how-to-thrive-in-ic/

We’re ending Season 9 of the Internal Comms Podcast with a bang this week, as Sally Susman takes to the hot seat for her second appearance. Sally is Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Office at Pfizer, and on episode 55 she shared with Katie what it was like being on the company's vaccine development task force and being in the room when the US Federal Drug Authority gave the vaccine the green light. This time, she’s back to take a deep dive into her book Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts and Change the World. Sally shares candid stories from the book, including a toe-curling account of a costly mistake when working for a US Senator. As Sally reflects, “it’s in these moments when we suffer embarrassment that we really stretch ourselves, learn and grow”. Beyond these anecdotes, Katie and Sally discuss when corporations should speak up, the blurred lines between external and internal communications, and even Pfizer’s unexpected fourth corporate value. This episode is jam-packed with equal parts wisdom and humour. It’s not one to be missed. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

In modern business, integrity is non-negotiable. As legislation ramps up in lockstep with colleague and customer demands, operating an ethical business in line with global regulations has never been more important. That’s where Jonathan Satinsky comes in. As Johnson Matthey’s Group Head of Ethics and Compliance, he’s tasked with the challenge of embedding an ethical culture across a business with more than 12,500 colleagues in 30 global locations. This week, Jonathan joins Katie Macaulay on the Internal Comms Podcast to unpack the many challenges of instilling an ethical culture across an organisation. The pair discuss how his experience as a courtroom attorney equipped him as he stepped into the world of ethics and compliance, how challenging measurement really is and how courage and persistence are key to his success. As always, share your thoughts on this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

Define ESG… Well, it stands for environment, social and governance. But can you really define what ESG actually is? Put very simply, ESG is a set of criteria used to evaluate a company's impact on people and the planet. It’s not just about ‘operating sustainably’ and it's becoming increasingly important to investors, consumers and employees. But we would be wrong to think of ESG as yet another initiative, another campaign, another pillar in our content strategy. In this episode, ESG trailblazer and the founder of Communique, Gihan Hyde, joins Katie Macaulay to demystify the acronym of the moment. A comms marketing and internal comms specialist, Gihan has led some extremely complex change programmes for the likes of Barclays and the World Health Organisation, but it’s her lived experience as a Sudanese migrant, and as a parent, that drove her to make ESG her purpose. This conversation gets to the heart of the E, the S and the G. It explores how internal communication teams can use each as levers to elevate and enhance their strategic value and impact – and why they’d be remiss not to. Gihan and Katie explore legislation around ESG, and the far-reaching ramifications for any business not yet taking notice.  As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And thanks for listening.

It seems everyone’s talking about resilience, the ability to bounce back from misfortune or adversity. But as Bruce Daisley explains to host Katie Macaulay, there’s something wrong with what he calls the ‘resilience orthodoxy’, the idea that it’s not really what happens to you that matters, but your attitude to what’s happened. In this, his second appearance on the Internal Comms Podcast (his first was in season 1, episode 8), Bruce tells us why. He discusses the US military’s billion-dollar resilience workshops, the link between high-performance athletes and childhood trauma and the value of collective strength. Katie and Bruce also discuss meeting-free days, boring presentations, why ‘semi-detached’ hybrid working is more like college than school and the thinking behind freebies at Pret A Manger. Bruce also shares some thoughts on his ex-employer Twitter (‘a pretty miserable place to be right now’) and on moderation of social media platforms in general. As always, share your thoughts of this or any other episode of the Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. Thanks for listening.

With over 130,000 colleagues, and a 100-year history, Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. And this week on the Internal Comms Podcast, we get a peek behind the curtain at how their IC function keeps them all supported and engaged. Our guest this week is Charlotte Carroll, Unilever’s Global Head of People Communications. Charlotte has vast experience in her IC career, which includes time at ASOS, the BBC and Cadbury’s Schweppes, but has always been drawn back to Unilever (three times, to be exact!). Her ethos of leading with light, and going where the energy is, has shaped her both as a communicator and a person. Unilever’s enormous, varied workforce means the IC challenge is complex and nuanced. It relies on leadership at many levels, and a radical honesty approach that encourages each and every person to comfortably ask questions without fear. It means ‘showing up’, and truly understanding the impact of every decision on colleagues. It’s no mean feat. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

“The days we fail are the days our competitors live to regret,” said the late, great Niki Lauda. And that’s what this episode of the Internal Comms Podcast is all about. This week, host Katie Macaulay welcomed Nicole Bearne, Head of Internal Communications for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. The F1 team competes at the very pinnacle of motorsport, and with a 1,200-strong workforce behind the scenes, the racing team’s high performance is the product of a whole lot of work. And they are hugely successful, holding the record for the most consecutive title wins. But this conversation shines a light on how the team responds to failure and how Nicole’s work has embedded psychological safety across the business to ensure nobody is afraid to say when something could be wrong. This conversation gets to the heart of what it takes to be the best. Failure can be an uncomfortable topic, but when approached and communicated effectively and with candour, it can galvanise a team for more success. Discover the importance of psychological safety in battling failure, but also how Nicole’s work helps the F1 team dust themselves off and go again – and how your team can do that, too. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

Ever considered what it takes to become an effective communications consultant? Then this week’s episode of The Internal Comms Podcast is for you. Host Katie Macaulay welcomes Simon Monger to the hot seat to discuss internal comms, change, engagement, authenticity and the power of being just that little bit disruptive. Simon has a breadth of experience in internal comms, with stints at E.ON, Transport for London, Deloitte and IKEA on his CV. Today, he’s an impactful change and engagement consultant and it’s thanks to his varied background that he’s so comfortable slipping into organisations – and shaking things up. Their conversation shines a light on what it means to be a change consultant in the comms world. Katie and Simon explore their favourite change models, Simon’s unique approach to influencing leaders and they share stories about the power of being yourself. It’s a real tonic for the soul. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

This week on The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay welcomes Audacity’s Jason Anthoine. Jason has spent three decades working in internal communication, employee experience and culture change, and has a refreshing take on the profession. Jason says on his company website: “I do one thing: I help companies inform, involve and inspire their employees.” It’s what every internal comms practitioner is seeking to do successfully, and Jason certainly has the creds to back it up. This conversation gets to the heart of what it really takes to be an effective communicator. “I’m not in the comms business, I’m in the courage business”, says Jason, and courage is central to the chat. Katie and Jason discuss the power of bravery and being bold in driving your internal communications career forward. Come for the huge amount of expertise, stay for the warmth, the jokes and the anecdotes that will really get you thinking. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

This week on The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay welcomes culture-chameleon Shane Hatton. Shane is many things – author, international speaker, trainer, leadership coach, podcast host… but he best describes his journey as “a long collision of marketing, leadership and psychology.” Shane is the author of Lead the Room and Let’s Talk Culture, two fascinating books that get to the crux of how leaders can step up and lead ‘“in the conference room, the meeting room and the lunchroom,’” and the importance of this in building company culture. Lead the Room originally began as three leadership programmes blended into one; there’s a thread that runs through this conversation of how many things come together to create magic. It’s jam-packed full of anecdotes that will make you rethink what culture really is and how (or if) it’s created and cultivated. From one team culture built on the back of a story about failure at Olympic try-outs, to a story that begins “Hey Katie, would you mind just jumping in the car with me?” Shane’s unique way of approaching culture through storytelling is a real tonic. It’s not one to miss. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

This week on The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay welcomes Nicholas Wardle. Nicholas is Head of Employee Experience at Brand Experiences, and co-author of ‘Monetising the Employee Experience’. So, it’ll come as no surprise that this conversation offers some deep insight into the many ways motivated colleagues can drive productivity and ultimately ROI. Many have said (and we agree) that employees are an organisation’s greatest asset. They are one of the only assets that appreciate over time. But if that’s true, why is the employee experience so undervalued? Katie and Nicholas get into the ways your organisation can uncover its colleagues’ ‘intrinsic motivators’, and what helps them bring their best, most productive self to work. They cover how each stage in the employee lifecycle contains ‘moments that matter’ and suggest how to leverage these for colleague engagement. Ultimately, this conversation is about the human nature of business, and why employee engagement is best served by the people, for the people. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights, follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

This week on The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay welcomes Sam Bleazard. Sam’s role as Employer Brand Content Producer takes him behind the scenes of ‘the world’s most famous corner shop’, Fortnum and Mason and, in the second episode of season nine, join Katie as she gets an exclusive behind-the-scenes peak at life at the King’s grocer. Fortnum and Mason is an iconic British institution. It holds two Royal Warrants, meaning it provides groceries and tea to King Charles and, as Sam explains in the show, the company has a long, impressive history that’s intrinsically linked to the story of Britain. But Sam’s made it his mission to find and tell the untold stories of Fortnum’s. As a passionate storyteller, he believes in the power of authentic, human-centric stories to empower colleagues and get them to believe in themselves. These stories are also great adverts for attracting talent to the team and lift the curtain on the imposing façade of 181 Piccadilly. And talking of royalty: if you’re a Prince fan, this episode has a treat for you. We hope you enjoy this latest episode. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. For more exclusive IC insights follow us on Twitter at @abthinks.

The Internal Comms Podcast is back for Season 9! To kick off this season, we welcomed BizJuicer’s Andy Goram to the hot seat. Andy’s passion for building businesses ‘from the inside-out’ aligns rather nicely with our own ethos at AB, and makes him the perfect guest to help inspire and inform our listeners. Andy’s formative working experiences were in hospitality, learning the power of relationship building for success in front-line service roles. He calls this “lifting the curtain on ‘have a nice day!’”, as behind the pleasantries was a real desire to connect with the customer in a genuine and authentic way. This thinking has followed him throughout his brilliant career, and guided him through the transformation of one of the UK’s biggest bingo businesses – where customers and colleagues are like family – Gala Bingo. In this episode, Katie and Andy explore the power of being human and leading with care in the corporate world, but also the impact of constructive guidance on creating culture that goes the distance. Andy brings reams of experience to the mic, including some hilarious anecdotes from when he was finding his way in the working world, and when his ego needed checking. We hope you enjoy this latest episode, and if you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And for more content like this, make sure you’re following us on Twitter at @abthinks.

With Season 9 of The Internal Comms Podcast right around the corner, host Katie Macaulay has taken the opportunity to reflect on the wisdom and insight shared over our latest season and complied some highlights we know you, the audience, will enjoy. This bonus episode spotlights some of the standout moments from Season 8. From a surprise trip to the stars with ICology’s Kristin Hancock to actionable advice on how leaders can become better communicators with Adrian Cropley, this is a whistlestop tour of some of the most fascinating conversations of 2022. With each season of The Internal Comms Podcast, one thing becomes increasingly clear: internal comms is rising up the corporate agenda. Leaders can no longer ignore the power of building an organisation from the inside out.

The season 8 finale features Jennifer Thomas, Head of Communications for the Data & Analytics branch of the London Stock Exchange Group. Born in London to Guyanese parents, Jennifer was raised in Canada and studied in California. Being a black British girl in the early 80s meant being treated as an outsider, a formative experience which galvanised her to forge her own path. Google Jennifer today and you’ll find the word ‘trailblazer’ – but she’s so much more than that. In this episode, Jennifer tells Katie how she was never afraid to stand out and create her own path. From her work as a ‘corporate translator’ in one of the world’s economic powerhouses to her championing of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Jennifer has stuck to her ethos of treating today as a building block for tomorrow, and going after your dreams in your own way. Thank you for tuning into Season 8 of The Internal Comms Podcast. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And make sure you’re following us @abthinks. We’ll be back in 2023!

Episode 72 of The Internal Comms Podcast sees host Katie Macaulay joined by Adrian Cropley, CEO and founder of Cropley Communication and the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence. An industry stalwart, Adrian has witnessed the evolution of IC from PR’s ‘ugly cousin’ to a business-critical strategic imperative. He’s clear that today’s practitioners are not simply ‘communicators’, but ‘communication professionals’. And while he’s had to navigate some tough environments over the course of his career to earn that recognition, Adrian is a staunch advocate for emerging comms professionals making it all the way to the top table. This episode explores the many benefits to IC professionals of defining standards of practice and gaining accreditation within the IC profession, as well as making time to learn from a coach. Katie and Adrian draw on their wealth of experience to offer guidance to those navigating their comms careers, offering actionable advice for development at pace. If you have any thoughts or comments on this episode, share them using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. And make sure you’re following us @abthinks. If you haven’t yet subscribed, be sure to hit that button today.

This week’s guest on The Internal Comms Podcast is Joanna Parsons, Head of Internal Communications & Culture at Teamwork. Joanna made Irish history as the first ever Head of Internal Comms for An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s National Police Force, and her work communicating with the police through the Covid-19 pandemic has won her four prestigious awards. A trained sociologist, Joanna knows the best communicators find their unique style and leverage their own brand of communication to connect with key stakeholders. She recognises the need to pause and take stock of how the comms you’re working on can really make a difference and add value. This episode is a testament to knowing yourself and discovering where your skills can be most impactful. Joanna is clear that once we know who we are as comms professionals we will know which organisations are the right fit, and better create lasting relationships with teams founded on similarity. Come for Joanna’s deep insight, leave with a far better understanding of who you are as a communicator.

Shelby Scarbrough, author of 'Civility Rules! Creating a Purposeful Practice of Civility', shares her deep insight and experience ‘reaching across the aisle’ on episode 70 of The Internal Comms Podcast. Throughout an illustrious career at the White House and US State Department, Shelby honed her approach to tackling complex, high-stakes communication. In an increasingly polarised world, she is a champion of communicating civilly across the divide – be it social, cultural or political. In this thought-provoking episode, Shelby explains how she conducts herself around a core set of values and shares some useful advice for working alongside people of different creeds, races, cultures and experiences. Indeed, this conversation is a masterclass in what civility really means, why it’s crucial to communications, and how to practise it with purpose.

Episode 69 of The Internal Comms Podcast sees IC heavyweight Mike Klein return to the hot seat. An internal and social communication consultant based out of Reykjavik, Mike is helping solve some of the most complex challenges for organisations around the world. Formally a political consultant to the US Democratic party, Mike loves all things qualitative. But he fundamentally believes that measuring the impact of internal comms is about looking closely at the things employees do, not the way employees feel. Here, Katie and Mike get into the weeds of the internal comms evolution and what the traditional employee engagement survey – oft considered an indicator of internal comms performance – has meant for the profession over time. The pair discuss Mike’s #WeLeadComms leadership survey (AB is a proud sponsor), which aims to get to the heart of some of the biggest challenges faced by comms professionals today. The survey forms part of his wider #WeLeadComms initiative, which spotlights the sector’s disruptors.

In this very special episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, the tables have turned. Katie Macaulay is in the hot seat, and AB’s Senior Content Editor Freddie Reynolds takes over as host, to celebrate The Internal Comms Podcast hitting the 250,000 plays milestone. Having launched back in January 2019, The Internal Comms Podcast is now in its eighth season and going from strength to strength. This episode marks the 68th(!) insightful conversation. Katie has welcomed IC practitioners, consultants, behavioural scientists and even an ex-hostage negotiator to the mic, getting into the weeds of what good internal communication really looks like. This episode sees Katie get her opportunity to answer some of those challenging questions usually posed to her guests. Sitting down with Freddie – who was around for the inaugural episode, and recently returned to AB – Katie reveals what the podcast has taught her, why it’s so important to both her audience and her as an internal communicator, and where our industry could be going next. It’s not one to miss!

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay invites qualitative research expert Mari Lee to sit in the hot seat. Mari’s specialism is in ‘development communication’ – using comms tools and techniques to facilitate social change. Mari founded Devcom – a communications consultancy driven by the influence that it can have on individuals’ lives – in 2005, and has spent her life’s work enacting developmental change, from the boardroom to the borders of countries. Mari began her career in change communication in South Africa, where she joined the team working on the region’s first national HIV AIDS campaign: Khomanani. Learning from some of the time’s most influential ‘legends’ of the development communication industry, Mari realised the value of understanding human behaviour when trying to mobilise a change programme. This episode is a masterclass in the power and practice of research. We get invaluable insight into why qualitative research can be transformative for any business, discover how closing the feedback loop can leave your colleagues feeling empowered to inspire change, and get to know the ABC of research: Ask, believe, change.

The Internal Comms Podcast is back for what promises to be an incredible Season 8! In this kick-off episode, host Katie Macaulay welcomes ICology’s Vice President of Community and Engagement, Kristin Hancock, to the hot seat. Kristin’s official bio, “just a small-town girl, living in a fabulous world”, encapsulates her infectiously positive attitude. She staunchly believes that we are always in the right place at the right time, and has brought this ethos to corporate comms over the past 15 years. Kristin operates ICology together with her partner in both life and work, Chuck Gose. Built off the back of many IC practitioners reporting feeling isolated at work, ICology began as a podcast and has since been reimagined as a community-building tool for IC practitioners to come together, share advice and make connections. In this unique and interesting discussion, Katie and Kristin cover everything from the surprising skills that can get IC professionals in the room with the C-suite, to how we can better understand colleagues with the help of a “baggage claim” approach. Come for Kristin’s charming personality – stay for her profound wisdom.

The countdown is on, and The Internal Comms Podcast will be returning from its summer break with Season 8 imminently. And while its eighth instalment promises wisdom unbound from across the world of communications, we took the opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights of Season 7. In this special bonus episode of the show, host Katie Macaulay shares her highlights from Season 7’s series of fascinating chats, ranging from the relationship between strategy and comms to reaching the most remote internal audiences. The episode features insightful soundbites from Katie’s guests that capture the essence of The Internal Comms Podcast in just a few seconds. Season 8 launches on 14 September, with fortnightly episodes taking us up to the end of 2022. We look forward to introducing you to this Season’s guests!

In the final episode of season 7 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay speaks with Lily Goodman D’Amato, Delivery Trainer at US-based digital pharmacy Medly. Lily began her internal comms career at Paris Baguette, a Korean café chain with a mammoth 3,000 locations across the world. But she attributes her unique approach to internal comms to her previous decade-long experience in the hospitality industry, which began spent on the frontline. Here, Lily and Katie unpack how her knowledge and understanding of the issues that frontline employees face makes it much that much easier to communicate with them authentically and with empathy in her role today. (We also get the scoop on how Lily’s love of theatre led to her powerhouse career in internal comms in the first place.) In this fascinating discussion, discover how Lily defines world class communication, hear her unique suggestion for communicating more effectively, and find out how humour plays a big role in her day-to-day.

In the latest episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay speaks with Martin Flegg, founder and co-owner of The IC Citizen internal communications consultancy. With over 20 years in PR and internal communications, Martin has extensive experience in management and consultancy roles in UK central government, financial services, legal services and the higher education sectors. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and a course leader, tutor and assessor for PR Academy on various CIPR qualification courses, including the Specialist IC Certificate. Martin’s knowledge and passion for all things internal comms come to the forefront in this fascinating discussion, from unlikely introductions into internal communication, to becoming a leader in the space. Tune in to hear about everything from measuring success and unlocking the true value of internal communications, to the state of the internal comms job market, and how internal communicators can ask the right questions during interviews. In a world dominated by social media, Martin encourages us to jump off the bandwagon, have an independent point of view, and release our inner sceptic.

In episode 63 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay meets Mike Roe, who had a 28-year career in the police force and is now CEO of Tensense, a data insights company. Tensense has built a diagnostic tool that generates business insights for leadership teams by asking their employees a few carefully crafted questions throughout the year. The result is a dashboard of organisational health, which moves organisations beyond customer or employee experience – what often gets called CX and EX – and instead gives a picture of OX – organisational experience. In this expansive and insightful discussion, Mike talks about the essential components and challenges of truly authentic listening, and explains how he learned to ask powerful questions that help drive solutions. He suggests the strategies for communication in the police force, with suspects and criminals, isn’t vastly different from the way we communicate more generally with our colleagues and stakeholders. Then and now, preparation is important, purpose is key, listening is essential, but so is the power of silence – asking a question and letting silence do the heavy lifting. Mike talks Katie through the ins and outs of Tensense, how it delivers intuitive insights to support business leaders by getting to the heart of employee thinking, and shares his advice for strategic decision-making.

In the latest episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay speaks with the duo who wrote the book on internal communications – literally. Sue Dewhurst has worked in comms for more than 20 years and now trains thousands of professionals, with her frameworks used in organisations around the world, while Liam FitzPatrick is a change management expert and a lecturer in teams, research and planning. In this broad-ranging and in-depth conversation, Sue and Liam explore the new insights shared in the freshly published second edition of their book, Successful Employee Communications: A Practitioner’s Guide to Tools, Models and Best Practice for Internal Communication. They also discuss issues including goal-setting, outcomes versus outputs, running your own intelligence operation and knowing how your audience thinks. They emphasise the unmatched importance – and privilege – of listening to people, and reinforce that IC is just as much about what people need as the organisation’s overall goals. Though Sue and Liam agree that the pandemic has proven the power of IC, they warn organisations not to get complacent. In a world where purpose has become the glue that holds a company and its employees together, it’s essential to avoid backsliding. After all, IC isn’t just about what we say, it’s about the actions and compassion of the organisation.

In this week’s episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay sits down with Victoria Dew, founder and CEO of Dewpoint Communications. Her firm is focused on helping people-powered companies communicate with their employees better every day. In this episode, Victoria shares how a career in Hollywood led her to New Zealand, where she began her journey into communications. She discusses the global dilemma of employee retention and how companies can make their colleagues feel supported and respected in the workplace. She offers her predictions for the future, emphasising the significant role that ‘human-centric’ organisations will play. Victoria draws comparison between the way we approach and communicate with our colleagues pre- and post-pandemic and the environment of artificial productivity we once reaped. In this new working environment, and with a new generation of workers on the horizon, what lies ahead?

In this week’s episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay sits down with Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, co-authors of Conversations Worth Having, Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. Jackie and Cheri share their expertise in the context of conversation and the crucial role language plays in either valuing or devaluing those around you. We learn more about staying ‘above the line’ in conversations, allowing you to engage with people in ways that steer those around you in the direction you have chosen as well as ensuring people feel included and valued. Listeners also learn about Appreciative Inquiry and how it can break the cycle of circular conversations that end up going nowhere, avoiding conversation that skirts round and round the problem, failing to actually address it. This episode is packed full of tips and tricks to refine your language and manage your internal conversations more effectively.

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaluay looks into the dynamic between internal comms and strategy – at its best a symbiotic relationship that drives the business strategy forward, galvanises teams behind the organisation’s mission and enables transformation. This week’s guests, Canada Life UK’s Chief People Officer Nick Harding and Head of Communications and Engagement Alana Renner, are experts in how this partnership works in action. Over the course of the conversation the pair unpick the integral partnership between the comms and strategy functions at the life assurance company, outlining the ways each function has been instrumental in its transformation over the past two years. After all, what is a strategy without its guiding voice? Alana and Nick also reflect personally on their illustrious careers (including their respective early pop star credentials!), exploring the ways they work together and influence each other. They take a dive into the comms role as ‘influencer’ in the organisational strategy, and what the future of the workplace looks like, leaving us with some inspirational food for thought.

In episode 58 of The Internal Comms Podcast, we dissect the results of the latest State of the Sector report, the definitive global survey of the internal communication landscape, from Gallagher, who has been leading the internal communication conversation since 2008. For more than a decade, this survey has given IC professionals the inside track on the evolution of internal communication, the key priorities, challenges, influences, and our day-to-day practices. Host, Katie Macaulay speaks to Gallagher’s Head of Communications and Change, Siobhan Hammond, to find out what this year’s results are telling us about the current state of our profession. Siobhan has worked as a specialist in employee engagement, specifically focusing on the employee experience, organisational, people and culture change for over 20 years. Drawing on her expertise, she helps us unpick the latest stats and advises how IC teams can apply these findings to their work going forward post-pandemic and in a fully hybrid working world.

In episode 57 of The Internal Comms Podcast, listeners can take a peek inside the world of IC at IKEA, as host Katie Macaulay chats with a dynamic duo from the multinational furniture brand. The infectious energy of CEO Communication Leader Daniela Rogosic and Global Head of Co-Worker Communication Guy Britt is apparent from the off. In this spirited episode, the pair shed light on their experiences working for an historic business with a unique culture and values, as well as the challenges of communicating to 170,000 colleagues in 32 countries – the majority of whom are ‘unplugged’. Daniela and Guy outline how keeping comms strategies fresh and maintaining internal engagement from their CEO has led to increased employee engagement, as well as share insights from their hugely successful Flatpack TV – an IC-owned show watched by IKEA colleagues worldwide every fortnight.

In this first episode of season 7 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay talks to Jim Shaffer, an internationally recognised business adviser, leadership coach, author and speaker. Jim’s impressive career has seen him move from US politics to management consultancy, where he’s worked with numerous blue-chip organisations to fix business problems through better communication. A Fellow of the International Association of Business Communicators, Jim now runs the Jim Shaffer Group – a leadership consulting practice that helps businesses to accelerate results through strategic execution. Throughout this thought-provoking episode, Jim emphasises that world-class communication is always focused on creating results and adding value. For Jim, a communications lead should be a strategic adviser to the executive, which means getting close to the sharp end of the business. Among many other useful insights, Jim identifies the four key requirements for successful employee engagement as well as how to make the switch from simply sending out content to delivering demonstrable results.

Get ready to tune in to our next season of The Internal Comms Podcast. While Season 7 promises an amazing array of guests, this special episode highlights some of the best moments from our last season to whet your appetite before it arrives. Here, Katie selects some of her favourite snippets, which range from the academic perspective on what real engagement looks like, to the importance of driving intention behind internal comms. Season 7 launches on 16 February, bringing you fascinating insights from the comms heads at IKEA, leadership development consultant Jim Shaffer, and many more exciting guests.

In the final episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay speaks to Sally Susman, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer. It has been an extraordinary two years for Pfizer. Like many organisations around the world, the biopharmaceutical company had to adapt to remote working, supporting their staff through the transition. But, of course, that’s not all. In the midst of the pandemic, Pfizer developed and deployed the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine – a game-changing moment for all of us. In this fascinating interview, Sally takes us through some key moments that got Pfizer’s workforce through the pandemic, including the incredible moment when the vaccine was approved for use. Throughout the discussion, Sally tells us about the importance of honesty, both within her current role and throughout her entire career. She also tells us the importance of finding time to pause and reflect, and the role self-identity can play within a career.

In the sixth episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay talks to Phil Dobson, founder of BrainWorkshops and author of The Brain Book: How to Think and Work Smarter. Until 2007, Phil was an aspiring musician working in sales and business development. When an injury forced him to take a step back for 15 weeks, it enabled him to pivot his life towards the world of psychology. Now a psychotherapist, coach, and facilitator, Phil uses insights from neuroscience and psychology to help teams transform productivity and improve wellbeing. In this riveting interview, Phil shares his tips and exercises for better brain care, and explains how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected how we process time, work and our priorities. He suggests ways to reduce distractions, focus on the tasks that really matter and create positive environments. Throughout the discussion, Phil emphasises the importance of mental clarity, not just for personal wellbeing, but for teams and leaders seeking to improve the ways they work.

***The content in this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast may be triggering for those who have experience of suicide.*** In the fourth episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay speaks to Karen Coleman and Naomi Sutcliffe, architects behind the award-winning ‘Check-in’ campaign which aims to prevent staff suicide across the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership area. The campaign promotes a wellbeing culture by normalising the conversation around suicide and mental health, as well as providing training, resources and signposting for support. An award-winning communication professional, Karen Coleman, has worked in delivering strategic communication and engagement strategies for CEOs, politicians, executive boards, government departments and business executives for over 25 years. She is now proud to be Associate Director for Communication and Engagement for West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. Passionate about suicide prevention, Naomi Sutcliffe is an approved LivingWorks suicide prevention intervention trainer, SafeTALK trainer and leads or supports many projects within her role in the Southwest Yorkshire Patient Safety Support Team. Naomi qualified as a nurse 27 years ago and has amassed a wealth of knowledge in a variety of posts across the health sector. Even if suicide prevention is not on your comms agenda, this episode provides insightful advice on what IC professionals should be considering when they approach any campaign design, testing and delivering.

In the fourth episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay catches up with Maliha Aqeel, Director of Global Communications and Digital Channels at Fix Network World – the global leader in the automotive aftermarket services sector. A member of the International Association of Business Communicators’ International Executive Board, Maliha has honed her expertise at organisations across the globe, from Dubai to Canada. She applies her analytical problem-solving skills in every context, seeking the most effective and efficient approach to communications. Successful content, she argues, meets the needs of the end consumer, not the communicator. A ‘life-long learner’, Maliha is always striving to understand more of the ‘business of business’ in order to apply that learning to a communications framework. Soon to begin a doctorate, Maliha is researching how organisations can activate and communicate the tangible impact of purpose on their balance sheet. Find out more in this fascinating episode of The Internal Comms Podcast.

In the third episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay catches up with communications expert and IABC Fellow Jane Mitchell. Jane began her career with the BBC, before moving into producing award-winning films for corporate clients. In the 1990s, her focus shifted to developing strategic approaches to internal comms and employee engagement, setting up her consulting firm JL&M in 2005. In this wide-ranging episode, Jane joins the dots between public broadcasting and corporate values, considers the role of singular thinking in organisational ethical failure, and explains why, as communicators, our job is sometimes to push back on ‘the next big thing’. Whatever the topic, Jane’s fundamental philosophy when it comes to comms is clear: think smarter – and utilise what’s already there.

In the second episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay talks to Brian Landau, an authority in podcasting and expert on all things audio content creation and distribution. Brian was the executive vice president of strategy at the podcast network, Cadence 13, senior director of corporate development at the influencer marketing company, IZA and spent nearly five years at Westwood One, the largest audio broadcast network in America. Today, Brian is co-founder and CEO of Vennly, an audio platform that enables businesses to share their audio content seamlessly and securely across their existing internal and external channels. In this informative episode, Brian schools us on the shift from measuring listens per content to actions per content. He also breaks down, step by step, how to create a successful internal comms podcast for employees and empower the storytellers amongst you.

In this first episode of season 6 of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay talks to the father of employee engagement, organisational psychologist Professor William Kahn. With the publication of his paper ‘Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work’ in 1990, the concept of engagement at work was born. Now a professor of management and organisations at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, his vast array of academic research explores the relationship between individuals and organisations. In this fascinating conversation, William explains the conditions needed to drive meaningful engagement, and unpacks the differences between ‘personal’ and ‘employee’ engagement. He also dives into what organisations truly want when they talk about engagement and speaks about the danger of not allowing people the space to have chaotic conversations. True engagement – he says – is messy, and without an emphasis on workplace relationships, communications professionals are missing the point.

The curtain is about to go up on the new season of The Internal Comms Podcast, with some fantastic guests joining host Katie Macaulay to talk about all things communication. For this special compilation episode, we give you a taste of what’s to come with some of our best bits from Season 5. Katie has picked her favourite moments from seven fascinating conversations with communications experts from across the spectrum, from corporate Australia to construction and the charity sector. Season 6 launches on 8 September with another fantastic line up of guests, including the organisational psychologist Professor William Kahn, who created the concept of engagement at work 31 years ago.

It has always been Katie Macaulay’s goal for The Internal Comms Podcast to help improve the way organisations communicate with their people, and this week she does so by exploring how behavioural science can influence our thinking as internal comms pros. In recent years, this fascinating field has given our friends in marketing a better understanding of what drives decision-making. This knowledge has, in turn, heavily influenced the approach to customer experience, product design, and all aspects of marketing comms. Guiding us through how all of this works, and how it can be applied to our work in IC, is one of the world’s leading behavioural science experts: Will Leach. Will has more than 25 years’ experience of applying behavioural design to marketing, including running PepsiCo’s behavioural research lab. He is the author of the best-selling book Marketing to Mindstates: a practical guide to applying behavioural design to research and marketing, and a two-time winner of the EXPLOR Award for behavioural science research. Will is also the founder and CEO of two businesses: The Mindstate Group and TriggerPoint, both of which use behavioural science to create marketing that drives people to act. In this thought-provoking episode, Will gives a beginner’s guide to behavioural sciences, bringing the subject to life with great passion, energy and enthusiasm. Along with plenty of personal insight and experience, he explains how we can tap into the underlying goals and motivation of our employees and connect with them in a more fundamental and meaningful way.

Katie Macaulay’s guest this week is a leading light in efforts to advance the careers of under-represented groups in IC. Advita Patel is a qualified coach, mentor, public speaker and owner of her own consultancy firm, CommsRebel. She is also one of a trio of women who host the Calm Edged Rebels podcast, a board director for the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR) and co-founder (with previous guest Priya Bates) of A Leader Like Me – a global initiative to assist people from minority groups within our industry. While Advita’s passion is helping organisations become more aware of diversity, belonging and inclusivity issues, she is also focused on the perennial challenge of identifying measurable outcomes for internal comms. These are just two of the subjects tackled in a wide-ranging, open and honest conversation.

This episode sees the return of the brilliant business communications strategist, international public speaker and podcast host Jenni Field. The immediate past chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations joined host Katie Macaulay to discuss the ideas and frameworks outlined in her new book, Influential Internal Communication: Streamline Your Corporate Communication to Drive Efficiency and Engagement. As this essential volume is a field guide (pun intended) to taking your organisation from chaos to calm, Katie and Jenni talk about chaos – what this looks like from a business perspective and what causes disorder – and how to use communication as a diagnostic tool to identify the root causes of business problems and, ultimately, fix them for the long term. Other subjects in this enjoyable conversation include leaders’ often obsessive preoccupation with change, the levers we can pull inside our organisations to drive engagement, and how organisations can sometimes become conceptual entities standing between employees and the people they serve.

The life and career of this week’s guest has been a literal roller coaster. Mark Webb fell into PR and media relations by chance, after spotting a job ad for the new Eurodisney theme park (later Disneyland Paris) while on his way to work another season as a ski rep. His impulsive decision to apply for that post has shaped much of the following 30 years. After experiencing the famous Disney magic as an A-list guest liaison, escorting the likes of Michael Jackson around the park, Mark took that sense of excitement with him into more conventional comms roles with David Lloyd Leisure and Dixons Carphone. It was as Head of Group Social Media for Dixons that he embraced and mastered the power of Twitter as a comms tool to humanise a brand. But it was during those same years that he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Adopting an overwhelmingly positive attitude, Mark resolved to live life to the full, whatever MS throws at him. Now Head of Comms at Shift.ms – a charity and social network for MSers – Mark is a public speaker and tireless campaigner, raising funds and awareness about this progressively debilitating condition. We guarantee you’ll be entertained, touched and inspired by his conversation with Katie, although ‘inspiring’ and ‘inspirational’ are terms Mark would rather you didn’t use to describe him. Re-Mark-able, perhaps?

Katie Macaulay’s guest for episode 44 of The IC Podcast is Canadian comms expert Prarthna Thakore. After beginning her career in Calgary and then moving to London, Prarthna has accrued more than 10 years’ experience working across sectors in business-to-business and business-to-consumer, developing expertise across the comms disciplines. Until very recently, she was the Head of Internal Communications at ISG, a global construction company employing 3,000 people across 24 countries. This conversation covers a lot of ground – from the strategic to the practical – including the best way to analyse and map your audience, three ways to think about content creation, how to design a successful values programme, a really smart structure for your line-manager briefing pack, and how to influence without authority. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the thoughts of this dynamic and highly articulate woman who seems destined to lead innovation in our industry for decades to come.

Every year since 2008, internal comms pros have responded to the Gallagher State of the Sector report. Because it’s been running for 13 years, and because similar questions are asked year-on-year, this report has become a useful way for the IC community to benchmark our activities and ambitions. So, with the 2021 report hot off the press, host Katie Macaulay wanted to reach out to an experienced and thoughtful in-house comms practitioner to really get to grips with its findings. And who better than Kate Jones? Kate is Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs at construction industry giant Tarmac. The firm supplies the materials that help shape the world around us and is perhaps best known for the invention of asphalt, a product that remains synonymous with its brand. Kate is a qualified internal communications specialist with 25 years’ experience, both agency and in-house, across a number of industries. She is the elected Chair of Board at the Institute of Internal Communication, a Fellow of the Institute and was named Internal Communicator of the Year in 2016. She speaks with an authority borne from experience, so we’re confident you will enjoy this deep dive into the state of our sector.

Katie Macaulay kicks off Season 5 of The IC Podcast with a riveting conversation with business storytelling specialist Gabrielle Dolan. Gabrielle is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker and trainer, and the author of six best-selling books. She first realised the power of storytelling in a business context while working in senior roles in corporate Australia, when she recognised the importance of bringing humanity to the way business people communicate. Gabrielle has shared her experience and insight with leaders at an impressive range of clients, including the Obama Foundation, EY, National Australia Bank, Amazon and Vodafone. After wowing readers with such published works as Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling, and Real Communication: How to be You and Lead True, Gabrielle is releasing her latest work, Magnetic Stories: Connect With Customers and Engage Employees With Brand Storytelling, on 01 March this year. Gabrielle joined Katie from her home in Melbourne for a really illuminating and inspiring conversation about all aspects of storytelling.

With the new season of The Internal Comms Podcast just around the corner, we wanted to whet your appetite with a selection of the best bits from Season 4. For this special best-of compilation, host Katie Macaulay has chosen her favourite moments from eight fascinating chats with communications experts across a range of disciplines, from the NHS frontline to hostage negotiation. We hope such insights, advice and wisdom helped get you through a difficult autumn.

The NHS has never been far from our hearts and minds over the last few months. As the national jewel in the UK’s crown, the National Health Service has battled many difficulties over the last 72 years. But in 2020, in the face of a global pandemic, it’s faced its toughest period to date. For those handling its communications, it’s been an incredibly challenging time with highs, lows and everything in between. For the last episode of 2020, as focus shifts once again to the tireless NHS workers who are facing – quite possibly – their toughest ever winter, we hear from some of the comms professionals who are supporting them in this fight. Katie sits down with Amanda Nash, Head of Communications at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Ross Wigham, Deputy Communications Director at Northumbria Foundation Trust, and Adam Brimelow, Director of Communications at NHS Providers to talk about everything they’ve dealt with this year – and what they’ve learnt from the pandemic.

What prompted the creation of the first IC agency back in 1964 and what convinced those first chief executives that they needed external help communicating with their employees? We always strive to explore and inspire with every episode of The Internal Comms Podcast and at AB we like to think of ourselves as the future of IC – but did you know we’re also a big part of its origins?! Although we can’t take credit for laying all the groundwork for the discipline, we can certainly relay the story and Katie takes great pleasure in welcoming AB’s founder and namesake Anthony (Tony) Buckley, now 86, and his son Tim, who continued his legacy, to this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast. In some way, AB’s long and unique heritage reflects the growth and maturing of our profession, as you’ll hear in this episode. Tony and Tim look back on the origins and evolution of internal comms, delving into its very essence. The conversation gets lively as they cover values-based leadership, the power of integrity and honesty, the difference between mirrors and windows and the need to keep asking why. Moreover, their story is testimony to the changing nature of IC and what will bring you staying power in our fast-changing world. There’s also discussion of ‘ABness’ – how we live the values of IC ­­­ – a culture embedded by Tony. So sit back, grab yourself a coffee and enjoy some insights from two of IC’s trailblazers.

Coming soon in season 4 of The Internal Comms Podcast

Recent research shows measurement is particularly challenging for many internal comms professionals. Katie’s guest on this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast is Benjamin Ellis – a data cruncher – who is on a mission to change that. A self-confessed tech geek, Benjamin realised that the problem with technology is often the end user, or in IC terms – people – prompting him to study psychology. Having worked at the cutting edge of technology and communication for more than three decades, his expertise lies in networks, Big Data, Machine Learning, data governance, privacy and security – among other things. He is now the CEO of SocialOptic and works to create positive organisational change with a variety of businesses and is currently helping the NHS and UK Government during the pandemic. The conversation deep dives into measurement, how to do it successfully and its increasing importance in our fast-changing world. It also explores common misconceptions, survey fatigue and why the right question is more important than the right answer. Throughout this engaging chat with Katie, Benjamin provides fresh insights and inspired thinking, guaranteed to help motivate you to measure more.

Amid the turmoil of 2020, with IC pros thrown into the spotlight as we strive to keep colleagues informed and connected, it’s not surprising that many of us are feeling a degree of anxiety and self-doubt. These are classic symptoms of Imposter Syndrome, which is that nagging feeling you will be found out at any moment as a fake or a fraud. Research suggests that those of us in creative professions are more likely to suffer from Imposter Syndrome. And even if you don’t suffer from it yourself, those around you might, and as a result, they’ll be engaging in self-limiting behaviour that comes at a cost to themselves and your organisation as a whole. So, to guide us through Imposter Syndrome, The Internal Comms Podcast host Katie Macaulay has turned to an expert: Dr Valerie Young. Known internationally as an authority on the subject, Valerie is the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of it. She regularly speaks at corporations and universities, sharing her practical advice with thousands worldwide. Men should not be put off by the title of her book, as Valerie says it’s clear from the research that these feelings are suffered by both sexes. In this episode, she explains where these feelings come from, and why you can’t share your way out of them. The conversation covers reframing failure, the link between our thoughts and our feelings, and the notion of designing our work around our lives, rather than the opposite, which sadly entraps too many of us.

If you want to take your communication skills to the next level, then this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast is for you. Katie’s guest is a formidable negotiator and expert at persuasion – former hostage negotiator Chris Voss. Chris was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He spent 24 years with the Bureau persuading terrorists, bank robbers and kidnappers to change their behaviour. At one point he was in charge of every response to the kidnapping of American citizens anywhere in the world. Following his retirement from the FBI, Chris founded The Black Swan Group, a consulting firm that trains the business world how to negotiate more effectively. He is the author of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It and regularly lectures at universities on the subject. Behaviour change is a fundamental part of a communicator’s role, as is the art of influence and this episode has plenty of advice on both. So, grab yourself a coffee and sit back as Chris regales us with some fascinating anecdotes, explains how to use ‘tactical empathy’ to make others feel understood and offers advice on how to get senior stakeholders onboard.

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast we meet digital expert Frank Wolf. Frank spent seven years as a business consultant at Accenture. Then at T Mobile, he was responsible for social technologies and collaboration solutions. He co-founded Staffbase – the employee app and intranet. He is also the author of Social Intranet. Today we seem to have endless opportunities to connect with people in new and dynamic ways but for many of us, digital communication is not where it can and should be inside our organisations. If you don’t know where to start, want advice on building a business case or how to choose the best technology partner, then get your notepad ready as Frank answers these questions and much more. In this enlightening conversation not only does he demystify tech but explains how it’s set to take employee engagement to the next level in our ever-changing world of work.

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast we meet Steve Crescenzo, a witty, straight-talking and charismatic speaker, workshop leader and coach from Chicago, USA, who has spent decades working alongside – and training – thousands of IC professionals. Steve is on a mission to take the corporate out of corporate communications. He says the job of communicators is to “make the important interesting.” He also wants us to “do less but do it better”. Too often, he believes, we’re writing for the approver, rather than the reader. Having begun his career as a journalist and columnist for trade publications, Steve set up his consultancy, Crescenzo Communications, which he runs with his wife Cindy. His passion for what we do – and what we need to achieve inside our organisations – remains as strong as ever, and is utterly infectious. So if you want practical, no nonsense advice on how to produce more creative, compelling content; how to push back against bad ideas; how to get headline grabbing quotes from every interview, and earn the respect of senior stakeholders – grab a coffee, sit back and let Steve both entertain and inspire you.

The Internal Comms Podcast is now in its fourth season – and to kick it off Katie sat down with Tasneem Chopra for some honest and open conversation. The self-styled “professional disruptor” helps businesses address the important issues of diversity and inclusion within their workforce. As a cross-cultural consultant, and champion for social justice, she helps leaders identify where social problems in their business may lie, and crucially, how to solve them. In this episode she talks passionately and with great experience about “shaking things up” and how we can all make our workplaces – and the wider world – a safer, fairer place for us all to enjoy.

Before the curtain lifts on Season 4 of The IC Podcast, we wanted to leave you with some food for thought from Season 3. And what a season it was; we had a whole host of remarkable guests with sharp insights and valuable advice to help us through what has been a truly challenging time for IC professionals. In this special compilation reel, Katie takes us through some of her favourite moments.

The goal of this podcast is to bring you meaningful, in-depth conversations with people who are helping to shape the world of internal communication: practitioners, leaders, authors, creatives, and consultants. People like Shel Holtz, Dr Kevin Ruck, Bill Quirke, Rachel Miller, Russell Grossman, Liam Fitzpatrick and Sue Dewhurst. When Katie Macaulay asked many of these amazing people who inspired their thinking, one name kept coming up: Roger D’Aprix. He can be rightly described as the pioneer in the field of employee communication. This is reflected in the titles of some of the 10 books he’s written on the subject of communication, leadership and culture: Struggle for Identity: The Silent Revolution Against Corporate Conformity (1972); In Search of a Corporate Soul (1978); Communicating For Change (1996); The Credible Company: Leadership Communication Strategies for a Sceptical Workforce (2008); Bosses: True Stories of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (2020). Roger has devoted his career to helping make organisations become more human, so they, in turn, can get the very best out of their people. He has played a pivotal role in establishing a truly strategic role for internal communication as the function that creates meaning for people. But despite his incredibly impressive body of work, and a highly successful consulting career, this conversation reveals an incredibly modest and humble man. In it, Roger reflects on a career that started in the late 1950s and runs to the present day.

President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Jenni Field has more than 16 years’ experience in communications. She is the founder and director of Redefining Communications, a consultancy that transforms organisations by improving communications. Jenni has honed her expertise across multiple industries, from pharmaceutical, to advertising and hospitality. The topic of Jenni’s first book, due out in April 2021, is about moving organisations from chaos to calm. In this episode, Jenni and Katie consider the need for businesses to adapt amid the global coronavirus pandemic, the role of membership organisations in the current climate, and improving diversity and inclusion through education and action, among other topics. Whatever the problem, being part of the solution is the key to thriving in the world of internal comms, explains Jenni. ‘You must be prepared to take action. Get in there, role your sleeves up, and make that change.’

The Internal Comms Podcast has gone truly global with our latest episode featuring three speakers from three countries. In episode 31 Katie tables a roundtable discussion with Jennifer Wah, Brad Whitworth and Neil Griffiths, who are all fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). A fellowship is the highest honour the IABC can bestow on its members. Jennifer – based in Canada, Brad – the USA, and Neil – the UK, join Katie to discuss what the industry could expect in the coming weeks and months, and the opportunities the pandemic has offered communicators. All three guests bring a wealth of experience to the discussion, which touches on imposter syndrome, communication platforms of the future and the importance of listening to employees, among other valuable insights.

Chief Executive of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Adriènne Kelbie has an exceptional understanding of the true power of communication and engagement. The first woman to take up the lead role at the ONR, Adriènne describes herself as an outlier, markedly different from other chief executives. Winner of the Northern Power Women’s 2019 Transformational Leader Award, Adriènne is a passionate advocate of values-based leadership, and of transparency, accessibility and diversity in all its forms. In this episode, Adriènne and Katie discuss a wide array of topics, from what it means to be a role model, to the difference between transparency and accessibility. Adriènne also gives us especially good advice on failure through her own experiences, explaining that ‘your comfort zone is not your friend’. Adriènne firmly believes that true leaders coach and develop those around them to be their best selves.

Katie’s guest this week is someone who is no stranger to crisis communication. Amanda Coleman was the Director of Corporate Communication at Greater Manchester Police when, on Monday 22 May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated a homemade bomb inside Manchester Arena. Twenty-three people died and 139 were wounded, more than half of them children. This was just one of the many tragic incidents Amanda has faced in her 20-year career. She worked alongside police and civic leaders during the Manchester riots in 2011, the murder of two police officers and the untimely death of chief constable, Michael Todd. She says: “Being in the room, day after day, has taught me an enormous amount about leadership, resilience, character and the value of planning and testing so that communications are as effective as they can be when people and processes are put to the test.” Amanda talks about these key ideas in her new book, ‘Crisis Communication Strategies’ and gives plenty of practical advice for communicators coping with today’s pandemic and what comes next.

Katie’s guest this week is one of the world’s leading authorities on internal comms and the management of change: Bill Quirke. As managing director of IC consultancy Synopsis, Bill has helped many global and blue-chip organisations align their leaders, engage their people, and turn strategy into action. He is also the author of two seminal books ­– Communicating Corporate Change, and Making the Connections – plus numerous tools, strategies and models that have profoundly influenced our profession. This episode was recorded in those halcyon days back in March 2020, when it was still possible to record face-to-face in AB’s London studio. Katie and Bill’s conversation touches on the pandemic, but they cover so much more ground. Sit back and enjoy Bill’s tremendous wisdom, perception and many fascinating and funny stories born from a lifetime of hands-on comms experience.

This week Katie speaks to renowned communicator Shel Holtz. As listeners continue to grapple with keeping workforces informed, galvanised and feeling connected during the corona crisis, Shel shares his guidance, advice and good humour to help us all through this difficult time. Shel’s career began in communications in 1977, more than a decade before the invention of the World Wide Web. In 1994, he came up with the idea of using an intranet, a year before the word was introduced. Today, he is director of internal communications at Webcor, a commercial construction company, with offices and projects across California. In episode 27 of the Internal Comms Podcast, he shares practical advice, insight and tangible examples about communicating in what is such a crucial period for IC practitioners.

This episode is recorded as the majority of the UK is in lockdown while the country attempts to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Katie Macaulay’s guest, Rachel Miller, is a prolific blogger, educator and keynote speaker. One of the most respected voices in the internal communications industry, Rachel is a fellow of the Institute of Internal Communication and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. IC expert Rachel has contributed to best-selling books and runs bespoke masterclasses, training over 900 IC professionals since June 2016. While Rachel is best known for her consultancy work, she has also had in-house roles across multiple sectors including transport, finance and pharmaceuticals. Rachel was the guest speaker on the first ever episode of the Internal Comms podcast, which has had over 3,000 listens in just 12 months. More than a year on, Rachel and Katie speak from Rachel’s new All Things IC Hub in London just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic engulfing the city.

Katie Macaulay recorded this special episode on Friday 20 March 2020 in response to the rapidly developing situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Her guests to talk all things crisis comms are Sarah Pinch and Tamara Littleton. Social media pioneer Tamara founded The Social Element in 2002, way before the explosion of social media. Today she leads a global team of more than 300, working with some of the world’s biggest brands to deliver consultancy-led social media services. Their aim is to create genuine human connections with consumers, while using social to help solve business challenges. Tamara is also a co-founder of Polpeo – which helps brands withstand a crisis breaking online through the use of simulation technology. Sarah is the managing director of Pinch Point Communications, which helps organisations build, maintain and sustain great reputations. She is a past-president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) here in the UK. She worked as a journalist and TV director for the BBC for 11 years and has worked in senior communications and marketing roles since 2000, winning a CIPR PR director of the year award for her work at the NHS in Bristol. Sarah is also a non-executive director for The Health and Safety Executive. What’s especially relevant here is that both guests are skilled in reputation management, issues and crisis management.

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, Katie puts her first CEO in the hotseat: Marc Barone. Marc is chief executive for continental Europe at AECOM. This Fortune 500 company is one of the world’s largest professional engineering design firms, employing 57,000 people in more than 120 countries. Its projects are impressive and diverse: the world’s longest cable stayed bridge, disaster recovery programmes, and the tallest tower in the western hemisphere. A cursory glance at Marc’s LinkedIn or Twitter feed will show you that this chief executive is committed to two-way authentic internal communication. He is very often on the frontline – listening, asking questions, and checking what he calls the vibe of his organisation. Katie asks about his approach to leadership, what he looks for in his IC manager, how to cut through the noise in his organisation, and how he measures the impact of internal comms. As you might expect, the conversation touches on a number of meaty issues, not least how the coronavirus is impacting his business, and how major infrastructure projects need to respond to both sustainability issues and the rapid advance of technology.

In this episode of The Internal Comms Podcast Katie talks to one of world’s most qualified communicators, Priya Bates, from Canada. Priya has an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) and was one of the first Certified Strategic Communication Management Professionals (SCMP). She received a Master Communicator (MC) from the Canadian chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and was later made an IABC Fellow, a global lifetime achievement award in recognition of her contribution to the profession. In a comms career spanning more than 20 years, Priya worked for one of Canada’s largest private sector employers, Loblaw, and at HP, Compaq and the Ontario Nurses Association. Then, at the age of 47, she struck out on her own and set up a consultancy, Inner Strength Communication. Her company’s name is very intentional, as Priya says her passion is driving strong organisational performance from the inside out. In a wide ranging conversation on the comms profession, Priya and Katie explore the importance of building courage and confidence – both inside organisations and inside ourselves. And with her warm and engaging personality, Priya makes a delightful guest.

State of the Sector is the longest-established and most in-depth survey of the internal communication profession, based on responses from more than 1,000 professionals around the world. Over the past decade, this annual survey has become a go-to source of information for IC practitioners, helping them see what’s going on across the industry, benchmark their own IC function against competitors and build a business case for investment or development. This year’s survey report is the biggest yet – covering 45 countries and 33 industries – and its publication is as eagerly anticipated by the comms community as ever. Shortly before the release of the 2020 report, host Katie Macaulay caught up with two new directors at Gatehouse, the internal communications agency that organises the State of the Sector survey, to discuss some of this year’s key findings. Client Services Director Kevin McDougall trained as a garden designer before entering the world of IC, while People, Service & Excellence Director Andy Macleod was a talented keyboard player. But having taken the path into IC, the duo now has more than 40 years’ internal and change communications experience between them. In this episode, they explain the purpose of the State of the Sector survey, their motivation for doing it and what they hope IC teams will gain from reading it. They guide us through the changing role, priorities, challenges and activities of in-house practitioners around the world. And, as a new decade dawns for our profession, we hear their views on the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.

During Seasons One and Two we covered a lot of ground in IC and beyond. As we begin Season Three, brace yourself for more fascinating insights as we delve into the very heart of communications. This episode sees Katie chat with the voice of IC himself, Chuck Gose. Chuck is the founder of ICology, the ground-breaking podcast that, since 2015, has given IC pros a global platform to share experiences and insights. He’s been in comms for 20 years, including time with Rolls-Royce and General Motors, and he’s certainly learned a lot about himself and the profession in that time. He is now Strategic Advisor at Social Chorus. Join them as they discuss the digital landscape, what channels and platforms to focus on, what “commsplaining” is and why we should stop it. Those who have listened to Chuck’s podcasts know his enthusiasm for IC is infectious and during his chat with Katie he spells out why he’s a cheerleader for the industry. Tune in for some no-nonsense advice that is sure to chime with many communicators.

Since the launch of The Internal Comms Podcast, host Katie Macaulay has interviewed more than 20 fascinating guests from the world of IC and beyond. Now, as we gear up for Season 3, she takes a look back at the first two seasons. With so many diverse and entertaining guests, choosing highlights was no easy task. The breadth of topics and issues have provided some real insights into how we can improve the way we communicate at work. In this special compilation, Katie pulls together her favourite clips from both seasons – recapping conversations that have really resonated as well as those that have provided those all-important lightbulb moments.

Katie’s guest this week is Keith Lewis, UK Social Media and Social Business Manager for Zurich Insurance – one of the world’s largest insurance groups with 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries – who is well placed to talk about employee advocacy and empowering people to tell their own stories. Earlier this year, the Edelman Trust Barometer asked 33,000 people around the word how credible they would view information from a series of different people when forming an opinion of a company. Those answering said the most credible would be the company’s technical expert, while fourth on the list was a regular employee. In eighth place was the CEO. Edelman’s advice to organisations is to activate our employee voices – not just official spokespeople, but our specialists and regular employees. In the course of their conversation, Keith tells Katie about the strategies he has employed to encourage employees to open up about their experiences and expertise, as well as the value of internal social networks such as Workplace by Facebook and Yammer.

Katie Macaulay’s guest this week is a neuroscientist with extensive experience in the field of organisational change. Hilary Scarlett began studying the brain in 2009 after reading an inspiring article about how this relatively new discipline can be used to help organisations better understand and guide their people through change. She went on to write a book – Neuroscience for Organizational Change – in which she explains what happens inside our brains when change is announced, and the change process begins. Her fascinating insight explains why people think and behave the way they do, enabling internal communicators to design change programmes that work with our brains rather than against them. During the course of their conversation, Katie and Hilary address a number of perennial IC questions, like when and how to communicate difficult news and the role of leaders during change. They also address some more personal concerns, such as the difference between having a fixed and a growth mindset, why most neuroscientists practise mindfulness, and what’s happening inside our brains when we tick something off our to-do list.

In this episode we get up close and personal with someone who helps improve the way we communicate at work. Mike Klein worked as a political consultant in the US, but for the past two decades has devoted his time – and his thinking – to internal communications. A global IC advocate, strategist and public speaker, Mike is based in the Netherlands, where he runs his communications firm Changing the Terms. It’s an apt name given his own bold vision for what internal communications can achieve. ‘We don’t edit copy’, he tells Katie, ‘we edit organisations’. Mike shares his views on the importance of influencers inside organisations and the role we, as internal communicators, can play in creating differentiation for our organisations in an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace. If we can create a truly compelling narrative – a rallying cry maybe – that power can be used to mobilise an entire workforce. Mike’s advice is both highly courageous and highly commercial. He also has an interesting perspective on the difference between internal and external comms… The answer lies, perhaps quite surprisingly, in Kentucky Fried Chicken. Listen to the episode to find out how!

As individuals, this week’s guests have impressive CVs. Sue Dewhurst is an experienced internal communicator who, for many years, has been training and coaching thousands of leaders and professional communicators. Her models and frameworks are used by organisations worldwide. Liam FitzPatrick has spent three decades working in communications, both in-house and for major consultancies. He also lectures on developing teams, research and planning, and serves as an external examiner for UK universities. But, put them together, and they are an even more formidable force. It’s estimated that around 50% of UK IC practitioners have been through their Melcrum Black Belt training programme. And now they have co-authored a book – Successful Employee Communications: A Practitioner’s Guide to Tools, Models and Best Practice for Internal Communication. The book, which is full of real-world case studies demonstrating IC best practice, is an extension of Liam and Sue’s warm, honest and genuine personalities. This hour-long conversation with Kate Macaulay – full of their ideas, insights and experience – is a perfect companion piece to the text, and a very entertaining introduction to their work.

With this podcast now reaching listeners in 50 countries worldwide, host Katie Macaulay has chosen to go international for this episode. Her guest is creative services entrepreneur, author and occasional Bollywood actor Mark Hannant. Originally a business journalist, Mark rose up the ranks at corporate publishers Trident Communications before becoming a founding partner of stakeholder communications consultancy the Engage Group. Ten years ago, he left the UK for India, accompanied by his wife and two young children, to set up brand and communications agency teammagenta in Mumbai. A decade on, Mark has written a book, Midnight’s Grandchildren, exploring the unique mindset of Indian millennials. Katie caught up with Mark during a recent visit to London to find out more about life in the world’s largest democracy, and to discuss how we, as internal communicators, can improve the way we analyse and respond to cultural differences.

This week, Katie meets Claire Hyde and Louise Wadman, joint heads of IC at KPMG UK. Possibly the most senior IC job share in the country, Claire and Louise have more than 45 years of communication experience between them. These role models and champions of job sharing have worked in the financial services, technology, motor and fashion industries, with responsibilities for internal and external communication and public affairs. As a successful, long-term partnership, they manage teams, advise senior executives and support business change and transformation – making an incredibly convincing argument for offering organisations not double the risk but double the opportunity. They believe that two minds bring a diversity of thought and true collaboration and are active public speakers about the benefits of flexible ways of working. Over the course of this conversation, you’ll hear how they make job sharing work for their direct reports, senior executives and themselves. They also explain the crucial difference between splitting a role and sharing it, and lay out the mechanics of ‘thinking days’, an idea Katie guarantees you’ll want to adopt whatever your personal working arrangements. You will also hear what happened when Claire and Louise started to look for a new job in IC and went to recruiters with one joint CV. This conversation made Katie completely re-evaluate her own preconceptions of job sharing. It might just do the same for you…

Katie’s guest this episode is Nita Clarke – whose services to employee engagement have earned her an OBE from the Queen. Nita has a long and fascinating career. She co-authored the report: Engaging for Success, which became the seminal study into employee engagement and sparked an entire movement – Engage for Success. A leading figure in the UK’s trade union movement for many years, she talks to Katie about championing employee voice, working with Number 10 and singing with David Bowie.

The Internal Comms Podcast is back with a new series of fortnightly conversations with leading lights from the world of internal communications, engagement and leadership. AB Managing Director Katie Macaulay kicks off season two with a chat with the ‘Doctor of IC’, Kevin Ruck. The co-founder of the PR Academy, which delivers the CIPR internal communication diploma, Kevin is the man who literally wrote the textbook. In a thorough and detailed examination of our subject, Katie and Kevin dig into engagement and what drives it, what’s wrong with line- and middle-manager communication, how to measure IC and the importance of having an informed employee voice inside your organisation.

Season two of The Internal Comms Podcast is almost here!

In this extra special bonus episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, the tables are turned on Katie as she takes the spotlight as an interviewee. Posing the searching questions is Jason Etter, Director of Marketing at New York-based employee app company Staffbase. As host of his own online show The Communications Academy Podcast, Jason wanted Katie to share some of the knowledge acquired during her 30 years in the industry with his listeners. In particular, he wanted to know what IC practitioners should do in the first days and weeks of a new role.

For this special bonus episode of The IC Podcast, Katie interviewed Paolo Peretti, Managing Retail Director of Patisserie Valerie, in front of a live audience at AB Thinks Live, our biannual internal comms event. In a wide-ranging conversation, Paolo discussed his regime of daily blogging, the ins-and-outs of cake display competitions and, of course, the topic on everyone’s minds: the crisis at the heart of Patisserie Valerie’s finances. In October 2018, it was reported that Patisserie Valerie had a £94m black hole in its accounts. The firm subsequently went into administration, sparking the closure of 70 of its almost-200 stores and concessions, and the loss of 900 jobs. How do you regain trust in such circumstances? And how do you begin to take on the difficult task of steering the store back into clearer waters? Paolo explains all in this episode.

For the final episode of season one, Katie Macaulay travels to Bath for IoIC Live and interviews two of the conference’s speakers, Martin Fitzpatrick and Matt Batten. Both Martin and Matt are in-house practitioners working at the sharp end of IC. Martin is internal communications and engagement business partner at B&Q, and, at the time of recording, Matt was about to leave his position at the Royal College of Nursing to become director of communications and engagement at the Church in Wales. In the Internal Comms Podcast’s first three-way conversation, ‘complete and utter comms nerd’ Matt shares the inside track on his IoIC Live presentation on health and wellbeing and equipping line managers to have more meaningful conversations about mental health. Martin meanwhile speaks about the tranche of our workforce we all need to start thinking about more strategically – older workers. As he explains, his work at B&Q to attract, remain and motivate older workers is not merely a reaction to demographic shifts – this retail chain can prove a very direct correlation between employing and supporting older workers and bottom-line profit.

Social influencer marketing is a new and rapidly growing means of getting your message out to your audience. It’s changed the face of advertising and has everyone from up-to-the-minute ad agencies to age-old regulatory bodies desperately trying to catch up. So, what is it exactly? What’s its significance on the media landscape? And what can internal comms learn from it? In episode nine, Katie meets Harry Hugo, co-founder of social influencer marketing agency The Goat Agency, to find out. In just three years Goat has grown to an agency of 120 employees in four offices around the world. They work on seven-figure influencer deals with clients such as Lidl, Adidas, New Look, and KFC. And it’s a young team – Harry is just 24; he founded his first company when he was 16. Katie had Harry discuss the role of advertising today, the importance of telling authentic stories to build meaningful connections with an audience, criticisms and concerns – especially in regard to mental health, and why Harry thinks IC teams should be creating their own internal social influencers.

Katie’s guest this week is an extremely versatile communicator. In his day job as European Vice President of Twitter, Bruce Daisley has overseen the development of one of the world’s most popular social media platforms across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. His extensive career also includes spells at Google, YouTube and Comic Relief. However, since 2017 Bruce has revealed skills far beyond those normally found in the office or boardroom as the creator and host of the hit podcast, Eat Sleep Work Repeat. And this year, he published his first book, The Joy of Work, which quickly climbed into the top ten business bestsellers. Little wonder then that Campaign magazine has called him ‘one of the most talented people in media’, while the Evening Standard listed him among the 1,000 most influential Londoners for four consecutive years. In their hour-long conversation, Katie saw first-hand Bruce’s genuine passion for making work more enjoyable and fulfilling. He’s not just about the theory: he’s full of practical, everyday ideas we can all try out immediately. Find out why you need to have a purge on meetings, send fewer emails and why finding the purpose in our work is actually not enough. They talk about the importance of psychological safety at work, the shortcomings of the employee engagement industry, the limitations leaders have on building the right culture and how, as communicators, we need to address ‘the empathy gap’.

Running the UK’s largest retail and financial services network with more branches than all of the UK’s banks and building societies put together, the Post Office is at the heart of many communities. Above all, it’s a commercial business with a social purpose. In episode seven, Katie speaks to Mark Davies, who heads up communications for this 370-year-old institution. With a background in local newspaper journalism, Mark became a special adviser in government before joining the Post Office seven years ago. Since then, he’s delivered some of the biggest change communications in the company’s history – transforming the Post Office so it remains relevant in a rapidly changing world. Katie and Mark discuss what it means to be a special adviser, why more organisations are trying to find their purpose, the power of collaboration, the integration of internal and external comms and how to better support senior leaders as a communicator.

In episode six, Katie travels beyond the boundaries of internal comms to find out how to write more engagingly, tell better stories and use humour to deliver your message. And who better to advise her on this than the hugely successful poet, comedian, writer and producer Henry Normal. Henry co-founded production company Baby Cow with comedian and actor Steve Coogan in 1999, going on to create more than 400 television programmes and 20 films. The company is responsible for some of the most memorable and popular British shows of recent years, including Alan Partridge, The Royle Family, The Mighty Boosh and Gavin & Stacey. Katie and Henry discuss the walls of humour, the increasing danger of losing context and analysis from today’s news, why Twitter is like shouting in the street, and what being the parent of an autistic son has taught him about communications and the real meaning of love.

In episode five, Katie aims to find out what internal communications can learn from external communications. So she sits down with ‘mister public relations’, Stephen Waddington. UK managing director of the digital marketing agency Metia, ‘@wadds’ is a hugely prominent voice in the comms world. A former president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations with 22k followers on Twitter, he writes an award-winning blog and has written eight books on marketing and PR. Katie and Stephen discuss online echo chambers, the impact of artificial intelligence, and The Cluetrain Manifesto, a lesser-known but prophetic book examining the impact of the internet on communication long before the invention of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC) is the voice of the IC profession – dedicated to strengthening confidence, credibility and community. And on 12 March, the IoIC celebrates its 70th year. In episode four, Katie speaks with the person leading the IoIC today – chief executive, Jennifer Sproul. Jennifer first joined the IoIC in 2015 as Head of Commercial and became CEO a year later. New to the world of IC, she’d spent her career until that point in market research. But during her short time at the IoIC, membership is up, participation in events and training has increased, and members now have The Voice – a new channel dedicated to IC news and insights both in print and online. Katie and Jennifer discuss the history of the IoIC, the relevance of bodies associations in the social media age and what it means to be the voice of the IC industry.

Episode three lands as Gatehouse’s latest State of the Sector report is published. Katie invites Jenni Field, a tireless, high-profile personality of the IC landscape, to discuss its findings and the recently released – Edelman Trust Barometer, which found people put more trust in ‘my employer’ than NGOs, business, or the media. Jenni is president-elect of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, the cofounder of the IC Crowd and runs a consultancy – Redefining Communications. She’s worked in the public sector, defence, advertising and retail, and is a critical thinker who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Recorded at Jenni’s home in Hampshire, Katie and Jenni unpick the reports to find out what they mean for IC.

Even if you’re only vaguely familiar with internal communications, Katie’s guest in episode two will no doubt be a name you recognise. In a career spanning 30 years, Russell Grossman has worked as head of internal communications at the BBC, director of communications at Royal Mail and is currently director for communications at the Office of Rail and Road and head of profession for internal communications practice right across UK Government. Katie and Russell met in early December and discussed how IC pros can improve their chance of having a successful career in communications, the importance of bringing remote workers together, and the International Association of Business Communicators, Engage for Success and Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which he’s been actively involved in. Thanks for listening!

In the first episode of The Internal Comms Podcast, Katie meets Rachel Miller – a prolific blogger, educator, keynote speaker and one of the most respected voices in internal communications. Rachel has contributed to a shelf’s worth of best-selling books, runs bespoke – and hugely popular – masterclasses and is a fellow of both the Institute of Internal Communication and Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Katie and Rachel discuss the importance of authenticity in IC, taking a ‘rounded approach to content’, the line between internal and external comms, applying your personal values to your business model, and much more. Happy listening!

An introduction to the new Internal Comms Podcast.