Internal Communications

Strong internal communications enables authorities to ensure transparent and consistent communication with external audiences. Internal communications is often ignored, but it is very important since each employee is a potential ambassador for your competition authority. The messages employees give out about where they work contribute to the overall image of the organization. It cultivates an environment with strong employee morale, which ultimately leads to better productivity.

Sharing the responsibility for communications

Employees are natural ambassadors for an organization. Ideally every employee should be able to tell his or her friends and neighbours what they do and how it benefits individuals. This leads to a greater awareness of the organization amongst the general public.

Some competition authorities train employees as media spokespeople for major issues and cases, so that those closest to a case are able to share information about it. Employees are the most credible sources; they can tell their story the best.

Recruitment and retention

Seeing the results of their work in the media motivates employees. They are proud of the coverage their cases receive and realize the tangible benefit of greater awareness. Coverage of the competition authority's work can also lead to interested applicants.

Tips

• Develop an intranet site to share information more effectively
• Incorporate communications planning into all major cases so that the outcome of enforcement work is transmitted to the public. Organize seminars on the importance of communications and media relations.
• Develop informative and entertaining orientation programs, so employees know how their work fit into the organization as a whole.
• Keep an open relationship between managers and staff. Managers must ensure major decisions and policies are communicated to staff members, to reduce confusion and misinterpretation. Knowing that managers will listen will send the message to employees that they are important and this will improve staff satisfaction.
• Plan recreational events to build relationships amongst employees
• Recognize employees for their achievements. Give out awards or commend colleagues at meetings for their efforts.