The Great Disconnect
We see it all the time: A company’s external brand is polished, dynamic, and full of personality while internal communication feels… kind of lifeless. Long-winded emails, awkward intranet updates and a whole lot of corporate speak that doesn’t reflect the real culture or energy of the place.
So Why the Mismatch?
Brands pour heart and soul into how they show up for customers but don’t always bring that same creative care to the people who show up every day to do the work. And that disconnect? It doesn’t just feel bad. It is bad.
Why It Matters
Employees are the heartbeat of your brand. If they’re not connected, inspired, or clear on the mission, it shows everywhere. And let’s be honest: employee disengagement is at an all-time high. When internal comms feel flat or out of sync, people start checking out. They do the bare minimum. They stop advocating for the brand. And eventually, they leave.
What’s Changing: A Blending of Worlds
More and more, companies are realizing something important: internal and external communications aren’t separate worlds. They’re two sides of the same brand story. Communications pros who once focused solely on customers are now being asked to bring that same magic in-house because employees deserve messaging that’s just as clear, creative, and compelling as anything we’d craft for the outside world.
Time to Raise the Bar
Let’s stop treating internal communications like the leftovers. It’s time to bring big energy to the inside, too. Here’s how:
- Build a Branded Internal Voice – Develop an internal brand that feels cohesive, real, and aligned with your external story. Your people should feel the culture in every message.
- Tell Better Stories – Move beyond the all-text email. Use video, visuals, and interactive formats to make things more engaging and less skimmable.
- Make It Personal – Segment your messaging. Speak to people based on their roles, needs, and what actually matters to them.
- Show Up as Humans – Ditch the scripts. Create space for leaders to show up with honesty, humility, and a willingness to listen. Give employees an opportunity to speak up and be heard.
Let’s Make It Better
If you’re reading this thinking, Yep, this hits home, we’re here for it. Let’s turn your internal comms into something that fuels connection, strengthens culture and actually gets people excited to open that next email.
Reach out. We’d love to help.
