The Future of Internal Communication

In 2025, workplace inclusion remains a key issue for the UK labour market. In summer 2024, the ONS reported the highest number of economically inactive people since 2012. While this label includes students and the retired, it more worryingly includes those who are unable to access the labour market due to either ill health or accessibility issues. As the working population across the Global North declines, access to employment opportunity is a social and economic issue. But too many modern workplaces are too slow redesign their hiring and employment processes to maximise inclusivity. In this episode, Dom, Jen and Cat chat with Ryan Curtis-Johnson from the Valuable500. He explains why inclusion is such a critical issue, not least when neurodivergence is on the rise. This conversation explores the opportunity for internal communication to create work cultures that boost diversity for enhanced organisational resilience.   Takeaways Inclusion is essential for a better society. The Valuable 500 aims to end disability exclusion. Businesses must navigate the fear of discussing disability. What's good for business is good for society. Inclusion should be embedded in all business practices. Neurodivergent individuals can bring unique strengths to the workplace. Organisations need to be flexible and inclusive in their policies. Diversity in problem-solving leads to better outcomes. Internal communication plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion. Sharing resources and knowledge fosters collaboration in inclusion efforts. Sharing best practices fosters inclusivity and learning. Disability should be embraced, not feared. Inclusion must be inherent in organisational behavior. Internal communicators play a vital role in promoting accessibility. Training on accessibility is essential for all employees. Care in communication can address societal challenges. Celebrating diversity can change negative perceptions. All employees should be allies for inclusivity. Inclusivity is a long journey that requires commitment. +++++ Find Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-curtis-johnson-b2233330/ The Valuable 500: https://www.thevaluable500.com/

With so many pressing environmental and social challenges to address, workplace activism is on the rise. Concerned citizens are increasingly using whatever means they have – whether as consumers, shareholders, or increasingly now, workers – to raise awareness and effect change for the issues that matter to them. This has dynamic consequences for business. Organisations must work out how best to respond to colleagues who bring social and environmental justice issues to work. Those that refuse to listen to the concerns of their staff face disengagement, or worse, mutiny. How can – and should - leaders shift from traditionally hierarchical ways of thinking about the views and opinions of their workers towards leveraging and integrating those views for the benefit of all? In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat speak to Megan Reitz and John Higgins, co-authors of Speak Up: Say What Needs to be Said and Hear What Needs to be Heard. They explore the role of colleague voice in engagement and look at the role of internal communication in helping organisations become better equipped to hear – and leverage – the views that matter. +++++ Find Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganreitz/ Megan’s website: https://www.meganreitz.com/ John’s website: http://www.johnhigginsresearch.com

According to Mental Health UK, 90% of adults experienced high or extreme levels of stress in 2023, a figure that was consistent across all ages. The same research found 20% of people of working age needed to take time off due to poor mental health. In 2025, there are all manner of reasons why people are anxious, stressed and close to burnout. The way we work isn’t working for far too many of us. But what are the signs of burnout and what support is available? What can organisations do to help colleagues better manage their workloads? And what part can internal communication play? In this episode, Jen, Cat and Dom chat with Tracey Hewett, a worklife coach and wellbeing trainer to understand the risks and how to avoid them.   Takeaways Burnout has been on the rise since the pandemic. Work-related stress is a significant issue affecting many employees. The World Health Organisation defines burnout as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress. Leisure activities are essential for recovery and should not be overlooked. Learning to say no is a powerful tool for managing workload. Organisations have a legal duty to ensure psychological health. Effective communication is key to alleviating burnout. Internal communicators can model supportive behaviours in the workplace. Recognising the signs of burnout is crucial for prevention. Self-care is essential for maintaining wellbeing in high-pressure environments. +++++ Find Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyhewett/ Worklife Mindfulness: https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/ HSE  - employer’s legal duty: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/overview.htm Tracey’s stress audit: https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/work-related-stress-audit Tracey’s blog about burnout: 19 things I learned from a stay at Burnout Hotel https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/post/things-i-learned-from-burnout          

In February 2025, the IoIC launched its AI ethics Charter for internal communication. As GenerativeAI adoption goes mainstream, there are many moral and ethical considerations that require contemplation and resolution. Its implementation requires human care, stewardship and oversight. The goal of the AI Charter is to present some of the most pressing points for organisations to reflect and agree on and to catalyse a live and ongoing membership conversation about how best to adopt AI while sustaining access to good, purposeful work for colleagues. In this conversation, we are joined by AI taskforce members Adele McIntosh and Joe McMann. As VP Internal Communication and Community for Arm (Adele) and Director of Internal and Executive Communication (EMEA) for Marriott International (Joe), they were expertly placed to help evaluate what an AI ethics Charter might include. We discuss what drew them to the taskforce and the role internal communication can play in helping organisations harness the full potential of AI. Takeaways AI is a significant part of organisational development. The AI Ethics Charter aims to address ethical and human-centered AI adoption. Internal communicators play a crucial role in AI integration. The charter will evolve as technology progresses. AI presents both risks and opportunities for organizations. Community building is essential in navigating AI challenges. Transparency and ethics are vital in AI communication. Understanding AI's impact on jobs is crucial for employee engagement. Internal communication can help demystify AI for employees. A strategic narrative around AI is necessary for effective communication. AI presents a significant opportunity for internal communicators. Maintaining human connection is crucial in the age of AI. The roles of communicators will evolve with AI integration. Authenticity and trust may be at risk with automation. Organizations must embrace AI to thrive in the future. Disengagement and loneliness are pressing issues in communication. AI can enhance efficiency but should not replace human insight. Ethical considerations are paramount in AI adoption. Communication about AI is essential to mitigate risks. Continuous learning and adaptation are necessary for success. +++++ Find Adele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelekmcintosh/ Find Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mcmann-364a1b11/ Download the AI ethics Charter

AI and associated technologies are changing the work people do and the way business gets done. As work becomes increasingly digital, scant few of us can remain complacent with our current skills and expertise – we must all upskill to remain relevant and future-ready. This raises interesting questions. We are rapidly shifting away from an era where organisations trained their staff for efficiency and compliance. Instead, we must all become continuous learners – learning in the flow of work we do each day. Simply put, the skills that upheld business as usual up until now are no longer sufficient to navigate today’s challenges. In this episode Cat, Jen and Dom chat with learning designer Beth Salyers to understand how we best learn and, more poignantly, what role communication plays in social learning.   Takeaways Continuous learning should be integrated into daily work. Traditional education models are outdated and need rethinking. Identity plays a crucial role in how we learn. Creating safe spaces is essential for effective learning. Learning experiences should be designed for engagement. Trusting learners is key to fostering a learning culture. Curiosity should drive our approach to learning. Organizations must meet learners where they are. Engagement is critical for effective learning outcomes. Reluctant learners can be engaged through shared agendas. Meeting people where they are is essential for effective communication. Engagement in learning is often a challenge due to preconceived notions. Curiosity is a key driver for meaningful learning experiences. Continuous learning should be integrated into the fabric of organisations. The focus should shift from skills to capabilities in learning design. Learning is inherently social and should be treated as such. Organisations must navigate the future of work with a focus on empathy and understanding. Internal communicators play a crucial role in facilitating learning. Communication strategies should guide and support continuous learning. A collaborative approach between L&D and internal communication is vital. About Beth Salyers Beth Salyers, Ph.D. is a former public school classroom teacher and current learning experience designer for social impact organisations, including for-profits, nonprofits, and schools and universities through her consulting business, Custom Learning Atelier. She knows herself and the world first and foremost through the arts and music, is a practitioner of human-centered circular design thinking methodologies, and a big soccer fan. In 2025 she's embarking on an external-facing personal creative project called #CuriosityTour2025 as a way to regeneratively navigate (another trump administration) whatever in the hell is happening in the U.S. right now. (thought I'd make you laugh).

As we enter another year of instability and uncertainty, it behoves all organisations to keep one eye on the future for successful innovation and evolution. But shifting out of survival mode to examine the long game remains a challenge for many. Horizon scanning and scenario planning to mitigate risk and leverage opportunity ought to be in every business strategist’s toolkit. However, all too often boards and senior leadership teams are stressed and overwhelmed by firefighting and conflicting priorities. What are the benefits of future-gazing? In this episode, Dom, Jen and Cat chat with IoIC festival keynote speaker Rohit Talwar. They explore some underlying trends that are set to reshape business in 2025 and look at how can internal communicators help their organisations become more future-ready. Takeaways Futurists explore trends and shifts rather than predict the future. Organisations need to develop agile and adaptive mindsets. AI is a significant force that organisations must engage with. Large corporations often struggle with transformation due to their size and conservatism. The SME community is more focused on future-proofing their operations. Cultural shifts in attitudes towards work are changing organisational dynamics. The rise of generative AI is reshaping how businesses operate. Effective communication is crucial for fostering a learning culture. Organisations must prepare for uncharted territories and unknown unknowns. Budget constraints may impact internal communication and training initiatives. The demand for GenAIi prompts is increasing among professionals. Organisations must navigate the triangle of human challenges, tech opportunities, and financial pressures. Forming alliances with key stakeholders is essential for internal communicators. Spotting and promoting mindset shifts can drive innovation. Internal communicators should connect employees with organisational changes and external trends. Continuous learning is vital for personal and organisational growth. No one cares more about your future than you do. Learning helps combat fear and confusion in a complex world. Internal communication must adapt to the changing landscape of work. Highlighting successful examples of innovation can inspire others.   About Rohit Talwar Rohit Talwar is a global futurist, award-winning keynote speaker, author, and the CEO of Fast Future. He has a particular focus on helping clients develop ‘ready for anything’ leadership mindsets and capabilities to understand and respond to critical forces and developments shaping the future – ranging from geo-political and economic shifts through to sustainability and disruptive technologies such as AI. His keynote speeches and immersive executive education sessions are all highly tailored to the needs and context of the client organisation.    His key current speaking topics include: Global forces, shifts, and disruptions shaping the future Futureproofing - developing ‘ready for anything’ leadership The AI stepchange – accelerating insight, capability, and performance with AI. Rohit has advised over 2,000 clients in global businesses, technology providers, professional service firms, governments, international agencies, NGO’s, and industry associations across a wide range of sectors in 80+ countries around the world. He uses his insights, experience, and inspirations to help clients build sustainable and future proofed organisations through virtual and in person speaking, executive education, research, consultancy, and publishing. Fast Future www.fastfuture.com Fast Future is a foresight agency led by futurist Rohit Talwar with a prime focus on helping clients explore and prepare for future shifts and uncertainties. Key services include keynote speaking, executive education, foresight research, scenario planning, strategy consultancy, event design and book publishing. Critical themes covered include leading in uncertainty, disruptive technologies such as AI, innovation and new business models, global shifts and shocks, new economic thinking, socio-demographic developments, sustainability, and the environment. Fast Future has published seven books and over 20 reports on different aspects of the emerging future.  Find Rohit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-talwar-futurist-keynote-speaker/ Fast Future: https://fastfuture.com/

Have we shifted from polycrisis to permacrisis? As geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events and societal discord show no sign of abate, the pressure builds for organisations to end unsustainable business practices and reduce carbon emissions. In addition to regulatory demands, a rising tide of employee activists expect business to act as a force for good. Organisational purpose seems to have become a misappropriated buzzword in recent years, one that all-too-often lacks depth and resonance. What part can and should business play in a more equitable, well-functioning society and what role can internal communication play in bringing that to life? In this episode Jen, Dom and Cat talk with Sarah Gillard, CEO of the charity Blueprint for Better Business to hear her views on the opportunity for business to address the pressing challenges of our times.   Takeaways The role of business is to create value for society. Profit should be an outcome, not the primary goal. Human beings have inherent value and dignity. Organisations must create conditions for meaningful engagement. Navigating business decisions requires listening to diverse perspectives. Purpose and values must resonate with all employees, not just leadership. A human-centric approach unlocks creativity and innovation. Business leaders face a complex and contested landscape today. Engagement should not be imposed but discovered collectively. Rethinking purpose can lead to more authentic organisational cultures. Intent is crucial in how employees perceive organisational initiatives. Transparency in decision-making fosters trust and engagement. Organisations must shift from efficiency to adaptability to thrive. Communication plays a vital role in shaping organisational culture. Fear can stifle creativity; a growth mindset is essential. Finding meaning in work enhances motivation and engagement. Leaders should focus on what matters to them as humans. Building a listening organisation is key to internal communication. The future of work requires new skills and adaptability. Shared humanity can unite people in organisations.   About Sarah Gillard Sarah is the CEO of Blueprint for Better Business, a charity that helps businesses to be inspired and guided by a purpose that benefits society and respects people and planet. She is a passionate advocate for making business “more human” - places where people flourish, communities prosper, and long-term sustainability is the driving force. She has over 25 years’ experience leading in fast-paced commercial environments at some of the UK’s largest retail companies, including the John Lewis Partnership where she was responsible for rearticulating and embedding the organisation’s  purpose so that it continues to be a source of inspiration, innovation, and strategic differentiation.  Sarah has a degree in PPE, is a fellow of the RSA and a Trustee of the BGF Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Panel for the British Standards Institute on “PAS 808: a standard for purpose-driven organization”, which is being developed into an internationally-recognised ISO. Sarah is a qualified executive coach and speaks publicly on topics including purpose, leadership, organisational transformation and culture.   Find Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahgillardpurpose/ Blueprint for Better Business: https://www.blueprintforbusiness.org/  

In this first episode of 2025, Jen, Dom and Cat review their favourite conversations of 2024. They also discuss the topics, trends and themes they most want to explore in 2025, as shaped by what IoIC members have said they want to learn more about. This episode explores some of the primary risks and opportunities for internal communicators in the coming year. Tune in to hear about up and coming guests and conversations.   Follow on LinkedIn 

Deborah Hale MBE has spent her career developing high profile global campaigns. She knows the importance of building brands, navigating complex stakeholders and making change happen by creating enhanced audience engagement.   As employers across the board struggle to resume pre-pandemic levels of organisational performance, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with Deborah to hear what she has learned about creating the conditions that build loyalty and goodwill across diverse audiences. This conversation is a must-listen for any internal communicator looking to drive colleague engagement and imbue a sense of community within increasingly distributed workplaces.   Takeaways   Patience is essential in leadership and communication. Successful campaigns require thorough planning and a clear framework. Engagement is built through consistent and transparent communication. Listening to stakeholders is crucial for effective leadership. Pride in an organisation can be cultivated but not mandated. Personal touches, like handwritten notes, can significantly impact morale. Milestones should be celebrated to maintain momentum in campaigns. Campaigns can lead to movements when they resonate with the public. Cross-functional collaboration enhances the effectiveness of campaigns. Change communication must reflect the realities of employees' experiences.   About Deborah Hale MBE Deborah has a proven track record of developing high profile UK and global campaigns that achieve brand growth, awareness and audience engagement. In all her projects, her starting point is: “what is the change you want to see?” After several years spent promoting the creative industries, she became Head of International Marketing for London, in charge of positioning the capital as a centre of excellence for inward investment, tourism, education and culture. This led to her role as Producer of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, in charge of what would become one of the UK’s largest public engagement campaigns. She was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List. As an independent consultant, she has worked with numerous commercial and not for profit organisations such as the Design Council, Permian Global, BBC Children in Need, and the Global Goals campaign.   Find Deborah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-hale-mbe-370bb7/

As the climate crisis worsens and social inequality escalates, legislation to monitor the sustainability efforts of organisations abounds. But mandatory reporting is often undertaken by executives who don’t socialise their data in a way that helps internal stakeholders feel their employer is taking proactive steps to improve its impact. In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with strategic communications consultant Debra Sobel to learn more about the vital role of internal communication in sustainability reporting. Takeaways Sustainability is shifting from aspiration to activation and transformation. Companies must provide evidence for their sustainability claims to avoid greenwashing. Internal communicators play a crucial role in translating sustainability strategies for employees. Effective communication about sustainability requires digestible and engaging storytelling. There is a need for consistency in language and alignment across leadership regarding sustainability. Organisations must integrate sustainability into their overall communication strategy. Data should be used to tell compelling stories about sustainability efforts. Internal communicators should connect sustainability initiatives with organisational goals. Leaders need tools and resources to effectively communicate sustainability strategies. The return to growth narrative may conflict with sustainability goals. The reappointment of Trump may galvanise grassroots activism. Younger generations feel they have little to lose, prompting activism. Internal stakeholders must be included in sustainability discussions. Sustainability should be integrated into business strategies, not treated separately. The circular economy is essential for sustainable growth. Internal communication must adapt to blurred organisational boundaries. Communicators need to balance storytelling with data in sustainability efforts. Sustainability communication requires cross-departmental collaboration. Internal communicators should engage with sustainability teams proactively. The future of internal communication hinges on sustainability integration.   About Debra Sobel – Strategic Communications Consultant Debra is an experienced strategic communications strategist, with specialist knowledge in all things sustainability and purpose. Over 18 years in business she has partnered and consulted with national and multinational brands helping them navigate the purpose landscape, shape strategy and deliver clarity when it comes to stakeholder communications and embedding responsible business into culture. Debra is an ex-BBC prime TV producer / director who worked on programmes including Crimewatch, Watchdog and political and environmental documentaries. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-sobel-verity-london/