Creating an effective internal communications plan is essential for ensuring that everyone within an organization is on the same page and working toward common goals. However, the ever-evolving business landscape presents unique challenges that requires a comprehensive approach. This session will explore the challenges and best practices for developing a robust internal communications plan that leverages easy-to-use and readily available resources, including:

• Strategies for combatting the inundation of information by prioritizing and streamlining communications
• Incorporating digital collaboration tools and platforms to maintain engagement and connectivity among employees
• Addressing the need for developing a centralized communication strategy to maintain consistency across all channels
• Establishing regular feedback loops and anonymous surveys to gather employee insights and address concerns promptly
• Staying ahead of the curve by aligning key stakeholders

The hybrid workplace presents unique challenges for effective leadership communication. Balancing remote and in-office interactions can lead to miscommunications, reduced engagement, and a lack of cohesion among team members. This session will address these challenges by providing the latest tools and strategies for enhancing communication flow in a hybrid environment, with a focus on:

• Navigating digital collaboration platforms to bridge communication gaps and enhance team collaboration in a hybrid setting
• Establishing reliable and flexible communication channels to keep all remote team members aligned and informed
• Developing strategies to openly share goals, updates, and challenges, fostering transparency, trust and a sense of unity within your team
• Latest tools to optimize asynchronous communication to allow team members to communicate and collaborate at their own pace
• Best practices for establishing ongoing training in virtual communication etiquette and effective communication techniques
• How to implement tools to enhance cross-departmental collaboration

Today’s communicators have access to cutting-edge tools, updated metrics, and evolving audience behaviors—but many still lean on tactics that haven’t changed in over a decade. In this session, we’ll explore the must-have components of a forward-looking comms strategy—and spotlight the legacy tactics that are ready to be phased out, including:

• Revamp your marketing playbook: Take stock of your current approach and uncover what to retire, enhance, or introduce to unlock your team’s highest-impact strategies.
• Lean, smart, effective: See how small-but-mighty comms and marketing teams across sectors—nonprofits included—can stretch resources and expand their reach
• Maximize employer branding: Understand the importance of message hierarchy and learn when, where, and how to leverage internal experts to amplify credibility
• Stay adaptive: A solid yet flexible framework allows your team to respond confidently to emerging opportunities and unexpected changes
  Bringing it all together: Leave with a refreshed, agile communications and marketing strategy you can put into action right away

The integration of AI into manager and executive communications is transforming the way leaders engage with their audience. As AI technologies continue to evolve, they empower leaders to make more informed decisions, streamline communication processes, and deliver a more connected and responsive organizational environment. This session explores the growing role of AI in leadership communications and highlights best practices for leveraging AI to achieve effective and impactful communication, including:

• Innovative AI solutions that enhance communication efficiency, personalize interactions, and provide data-driven insights
• Use of AI-enabled feedback mechanisms to collect and analyze employee feedback in real-time
• Employing AI tools to assist in drafting and refining communication content
• Harnessing the power of AI to predict trends and outcomes based on communication data
• Addressing AI risks such as data security and the potential spread of misinformation
• Using AI-powered tools to automate the collection, analysis, and reporting of communication metrics

Navigating change within an organization requires more than just strategic planning; it demands effective communication to inspire, inform, and engage all stakeholders. Communications must reach out to people leaders to assist in conveying the vision, addressing concerns, and building trust to ensure a smooth transition. This session explores best practices for successful change management, including:

• Developing a thorough change communication plan aimed at people leaders
• Outlining clear objectives, key messages, and timelines to ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned
• Involving people leaders from the beginning to build ownership and commitment to the change process
• Sharing information openly and honestly, addressing potential concerns and highlighting the benefits of the change
• Identifying and empowering change agents within the organization who can champion the change and support their peers
• Providing ongoing communication: addressing the need for regularly updates on the progress of the change initiative