Internal communication strategy is changing with the times – or it should be, in order to succeed. As the lines continue to blur between personal and corporate communications, now more than ever, taking a mobile approach to internal communications is imperative to strategic success.
The Growth of Smartphone Use
On June 29, 2007, Apple released the first iPhone – a technology that would completely revolutionize the way in which we communicate with each other, gather and share information, and spend both our professional and leisure time. Since 2007, smartphone use has boomed and continues to capture an increasing amount of our time:
- 75% of North Americans aged 18-54 own a smartphone (1, 2)
- The average global smartphone user checks their phone an estimated 150 times per day (3)
- 88% of smartphone users aged 18 to 49 use their smartphone for preventing boredom (4)
- BYOD policies are increasing in the workplace (74% of organizations are using or are planning to use BYOD) (5)
The Changing Workforce
Over the last decade, the state of the modern workplace has evolved, offering a more diverse job structure. Employees are no longer ‘chained’ to their desks from 9-5 as employers increasingly provide the opportunity to telecommute or work a more flexible schedule. In addition, mobile workplaces mean that field workers are required to return to the office less often.
As a result of this increased flexibility, it is now more difficult than ever for internal communications teams to reach their employees through traditional means such as newsletters, email, intranets, posters, or bulletin boards.
Evolving Communications Expectations
In the years since the iPhone release, our expectations for communication have changed significantly. Today, we want to be instantly notified of new information that is relevant to us based on our interests on a device that is highly personal, always on and only an arm’s length away. Smartphones have trained us to expect a level of engagement like never before.
As a result, consumers and employees alike have established a new communication expectation.
Modern communication expectations are:
- Personalized: I decide which information reaches me and how
- Timely: I’m notified of new, relevant information, when I want to receive it
- Accessible: Phone is always on and within arm’s reach thus I am always connected
Corporate internal communications however, have been relatively slow to catch up. Traditional tools like email, intranets, newsletters, and bulletin boards do not meet our modern expectations.
Needless to say, internal communication is a critical aspect of organizational success. Employees need to know what is expected of them and what is happening in the organization. At a deeper level, employees need to feel engaged with their workplace, believe their organization cares about their views, and understand how their role contributes towards overall business objectives.
IABC Edmonton Moves into the Mobile Space
In an effort to meet our members’ modern communication expectations, IABC Edmonton is delighted to announce that we’re going mobile! On January 23, 2018, we will be launching our own communication app, Sparrow, to better connect with our members and make important IABC Edmonton information available whenever and wherever you want it.
Sparrow delivers targeted communication in an easy-to-use app for a variety of mobile devices. Subscribe to the channels that are important to you – from Mentorship and Jobline to Capital Awards and more – and receive only the IABC Edmonton news that is relevant to you, when you want it, on the device you use most.
Keep your eyes peeled for an invitation to Sparrow via email, the week of January 22. If you have any questions, please contact IABC Edmonton Director of Content, Laura Konsorada.
For more information on Sparrow and how it can help your organization leverage the mobile opportunity, visit the website at www.sparrowapp.io
- http://catalyst.ca/2016-canadian-smartphone-behaviour/
- http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/01/6-facts-about-americans-and-their-smartphones/
- http://www.6smarketing.com/blog/canadian-smartphone-use-statistics/
- http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/pi_2015-04-01_smartphones_06/
- http://www.zdnet.com/article/research-74-percent-using-or-adopting-byod/
Laura Konsorada is the Marketing Manager at DevFacto, an IT consulting and product company. She is responsible for everything from brand management to marketing programs to communication strategy and loves being part of the fast-growth tech sector. Laura joined the IABC Edmonton board in 2016 to learn from and network with our city’s finest communication professionals. When she’s not IABC-ing, Laura can usually be found running (less-than-gracefully) in Edmonton’s river valley.