According to the Institute of Internal Communication (IIC), companies neglecting their internal comms “grind along ineffectively or stop altogether”, creating an environment in which “those that shout the loudest get heard”. There is a growing link, it claims, between communication, engagement and organisational success.
That message is filtering through to the fresh produce industry, where hundreds and even thousands of staff across multiple sites need to be kept informed of management decisions and the future direction of a business.
Steve Maxwell, chief executive at Worldwide Fruit, describes internal comms as “a really important area” where the company has devoted quite a bit of attention. It all starts with a company news-filled intranet site that is the default landing page when employees open Internet Explorer. This is backed by a colleague forum, where staff can receive and share information.
Other features include an internal newsletter and notice boards, such as a green board which updates staff on CSR news. Engagement surveys, training activities and a yearly management conference, where the business’ objectives are shared and cascaded down through the teams, complete the approach.
Produce World, which has 800 full-time and 200 seasonal and part-time employees, is implementing a suite of tools to bring engagement and interactivity to a new level. The move is seen as particularly important at a time when Produce World has undergone significant change, both in management and through various mergers, acquisitions and subsequent integration activity.
“It’s really important that we keep our colleagues abreast of what’s happening and help them understand what’s going on with the company,” says Peter Crowe, head of communications at the group. “It helps staff have the necessary skills and information to go on that journey with us. We need to make sure everyone is sold into that vision. Internal communications is really important – just as important as external ones. You can’t have one without the other.”
Specifically, Produce World chairman and chief executive Neil Fraser writes a monthly briefing (‘Neil’s Notes’), which is distributed to 100 managers who then disperse it down throught the business; an annual Pride of Produce World Awards recognises good practice among teams and individuals; and resources such as video are being increasingly adopted.
In a further development, Produce World is incorporating Microsoft 365 and the application Yammer – something of a Facebook clone for business users – to allow staff to share their work successes and the company to announce appointments, share information and so on.
Internal communication has a more physical format at herb supplier Langmeads – the company meets every day at the self-named ‘11 o’clock space’ for a conference call with Scotland-based Scotherbs. The difference? Ideas are written on the white walls in wash-off marker pen, and all employees lean on breakfast-bar style surfaces rather than sitting down.
As the IIC states: “When internal communication is working properly, it helps your staff understand your organisation’s values and gives them the tools and information they need to do their job brilliantly.”
It is the future, and increasingly, the present.
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