Often times, companies will spend a major chunk of their communications budget on reaching the external audience. But what about the internal? Your first customer is always your employee. They are closest to the matter, have more invested, and talk more about your business than any of your clients. Doesn’t it make sense to factor in your labor force when brainstorming different messages and channels?

When I worked for my former company, we had an unbeatable environment. We wore whatever we wanted (within reason), kept beer in the fridge, and had dogs running around. We’re at the beach, so our style was laid back, even though we were one of the most successful government contractors in the country. It worked for us.

Though there were high expectations and pressure to get the job done, often working 80-hour weeks (on a good set), my coworkers and I felt that the company cared.

Then, we got bought out by a larger, seemingly soulless organization that disposed of its people faster than trash.

During the acquisition, there was no established source of company communication, if you discount the water cooler. But as most know, water-cooler facts are not always true and often a great source of fear mongering. This left everyone worried, stressed, unsure, and unhappy.

With one quick swoop, the corporate attitude and structure had changed. Everything we loved about the culture of the former company was crushed, as were the feelings and hearts of everyone who felt emotionally tied to the organization. It was really heartbreaking to see men, who on Friday loved being at their job and hanging out with old war buddies, despised the same company on Monday. Heartbreaking.

Though there will always be feelings of anger, resentment, and frustration, standard byproducts of mergers, I don’t think it would have been as bad. Employees hate feeling left in the dark, and they have every right. They invest their lives into a company, an idea of purpose and missions. One of the easiest ways to keep them content is to keep them involved and in the know.

Obviously this doesn’t work on all decision-making levels, but there needs to be some driving force that includes everyone. Whether it’s a newsletter, a corporate blog, a weekly meeting, whatever. Companies that do well by their employees will do well by their customers.

(Photo source: www.radwan-pr.de)