Aaron Virola’s Post

IT'S TIME!!! I'm absolutely over the moon to be opening the role for our very first, foundational internal communications manager. I've been dreaming and scheming about this hire for quite some time. Here are a few reasons why it's such an important role to us: 1.) It's early. Many would say that it's still *too* early (we're at about 60 employees). But instead of hiring your first internal comms role to inherit a mess and fix it all when it's broken, what if you could build it right from the beginning?! That's the opportunity we want to chase here. 💖 2.) This role will report into marketing because I have a deep passion for building more transparency into internal communications. I want us to show our work, share our emails, and speak publicly about specific campaigns that are doing well (or not so well). 3.) Internal communications is truly CELEBRATED at Workshop. We exist because we believe in creating more happy Mondays for employees everywhere through great internal comms. Our platform is built for internal communications only. Not only will you be supported in all of the work that you do, but you'll help us shape the product and create better experiences for internal communicators everywhere. It's such a unique and key role, and if you know anyone who would be a great fit (or want more details), please message me and check out more via the job listing! Note*: At this time, the role is not open to a fully remote candidate, but if you're open to relocating to the lovely Omaha, Nebraska...let's talk. ;) Details here: https://lnkd.in/g44mTBzV

The comms channels that used to be strictly external are now key to reaching employees across the world. And messages that have previously been for internal audiences are now help external communities. See the new uses for internal and external comms. #Comms #Communications #Internalcomms

✨ Excited to share even more details about our very FIRST internal communications hire at Workshop! ✨ Applications for this role will be open for just a litttttle bit longer. Here are a few reasons why it's so special to us: 🥇 EARLY STAGE ADVANTAGE: While many would say we're a bit early for this hire (at around 60 employees), we see this as an opportunity to build our internal communications from the ground up. Let's get it right from the start! 💖 📣 FULLY ALIGNED WITH MARKETING: Reporting to the marketing department, this role is thoughtfully designed to create more transparency in internal communications (after all, that's what Workshop is all about)! We'll share our work, open up our emails, and publicly discuss the success (or challenges) of specific campaigns. And you'll have the opportunity to host webinars, do podcast interviews, speak to the entire company, and so much more! 💌 CELEBRATED AND APPRECIATED: At Workshop, we are passionate about creating happier Mondays for employees everywhere through outstanding internal communications. Our platform is dedicated to this purpose. You'll not only have full support in what you do, but will also be able to provide amazing feedback to the product and sales teams, and the chance to create even better experiences for internal communicators around the world! If you know someone who would be a perfect fit or if you're interested in more details, please reach out and/or check out the job listing! (Note: this role is located in Omaha, Nebraska but if you're open to re-locating, get in touch!) Also, cannot BELIEVE I left two such a crucial hashtag off of my first post: #commsjobs (So excited to have one to share!) More details here: https://lnkd.in/g44mTBzV

On our team, we know comms isn't a one-trick channel – we run a multipurpose toolkit for tackling big opportunities and threats. We're hiring a new teammate with new tools to join us as GetYourGuide's first Head of Public Affairs ⤵️ To set the scene: We've spent 15 years building a category-leading platform, global brand, and thriving partner ecosystem around a simple promise to unlock unforgettable travel experiences. As GetYourGuide's Global Comms team, our remit is to build and protect the reputation of our company and category with strategic audiences. To date, we've focused on investors (that's Clare), our partner ecosystem (that's Prateek), and our own team (that's Sarah and Catriona). As we've grown, our horizons have expanded, and our name has gained a new kind of weight. Now, more than ever before, our way forward will involve engaging institutions, policymakers, and advocacy groups to shape our reputation with these new audiences, and advance our shared priorities. This is where you come in: As our first Head of Public Affairs, you’ll be the architect of our engagement with these audiences. Working with our strategy, commercial, and policy teams, you'll develop and deploy communications strategies that drive impact on the issues that matter most to us – including: 🤼 Fair competition in our industry 🏛️ Stewardship of the world's great cities and monuments 🇪🇺 A strong Europe for talent and innovation Beyond the what job ad (in first comment) says, here's 3 qualities I expect my next teammate to bring: → You're eager to pioneer a new role on a nascent team, and you know to set a compelling vision that fits our company priorities like a puzzle piece. 🧩 → You know how to turn a policy agenda into a communications platform, and how to win allies and build coalitions to support and amplify our message. 📢 → You know how to build the internal and external bridges you'll need, and you'll be adept at leading stakeholders on a journey across them. 🌉 Want to play for this all-star team? Apply via the link in the comment below and let's talk.

💡 If you're looking for a new Communications roles in 2024, here are a couple of quick fire tips to increase your visibility on LinkedIn from lovely people like me: 👨💻 LinkedIn optimisation - use your 'about' section with great effect! 1️⃣ If you have had abstract job titles throughout your career, use your 'about' section to define the more generic terms of roles you would be suitable for. e.g. Head of Communications, Communications Director, Head of Internal Communications 2️⃣ It's worth clearly listing the industries that you have worked in your 'about' section too. e.g. Financial Services, Professional Services, B2B, SaaS. 3️⃣ Include your key skills in your 'about' section. e.g. PR, Media Relations, C-suite engagement, Internal Communications. It's no lie that 2023 had it's challenges but 2024 has a good feel to it already. Keep positive out there and don't give up hope! If I can help with anything, please feel free to reach out.

This image is a day in a life of a communications executive. Meeting upon meeting. Fire drills and urgent issues/requests. Cancelled meetings and upset stakeholders. Time to actually work on communications plans or execution during the day? Nah. That’s for after the kids go to bed. I know, I lived this life. And many of my friends live this life. There’s just never any time to: think ahead, plan, build a strategy, execute the strategy, coach and level up the team, review team’s work (unless it’s deadline time), fill in gap for person that left, manage internal comms when there’s external fires, or do proactive PR work when there’s RIF’s, leadership changes, internal misalignment, etc. etc. You get the idea – and that’s tip of the iceberg. Sometimes communications executives just need a little help from someone that’s been there/done that. Your agency adding team members with a two month ramp up doesn’t work. And you can’t hire for a while. You just need someone to help with the plan. To execute with the team. To provide new thinking. To take that internal comms while you deal with media fires. To provide whitespace considerations on media strategy while you manage internal issues that an outside person can’t for various reasons. I wish I had someone when I was leading corporate comms. That’s why I’m that someone now. Need perspective, team workshops or a little “roll up the sleeves” work from a former Fortune 150 communications lead and global agency exec? I know a guy.

REMOTE

One for the Internal Communicators out there… For a long time now I’ve believed that Internal Comms is the most important of all the comms disciplines. Why? It’s a simple theory… Winning the hearts and minds of your customers will only be successful (and lead to long-lasting relationships) if you’ve already won the hearts and minds of the people you pay to keep them happy … your employees. And along with your customers, your employees can be either your greatest advocates, or your fiercest critics. They will act as the most powerful advertisers or the loudest harbingers of doom with friends, family and their social network. They’ll be your most ardent defenders or your most agreived agitators. They are the force-multipliers (for both the good and the bad) about what really goes on behind the curtain of your brand. So raising the bar of your internal comms to match the quality and care of your external comms is obvious, right? As an employee on the receiving end of internal comms at Amazon, I’ve seen such a transformation and investment in powerful, creative and authentic internal communications over the last half-a-decade. There’s still much that can be done, but the difference is night and day. So it was a real pleasure to speak with Jo Osborn and the Globsl Amazon Ops Internal Comms team today about creativity, opportunity, energy and the upcoming Peak season! Keeps rocking it OIC!!! Congrats on all you’ve achieved and here’s to what more is to come 🍾

Not so long ago Internal Communications was often a secondary role taken on by HR, marketing and PR, where that function often only served as a way to inform employees of company messages. However, over time this function evolved with internal comms specialists introducing new ideas and concepts around how a company's internal communications affect employee productivity, engagement, and the importance of accurate distribution. Because of these discoveries and the desire for improved productivity, companies started hiring internal comms specialists. Internal communications is currently experiencing growing pain. Some businesses question the need for internal comms as a primary function. What does this mean for internal communicators? Without sounding too bleak, the outcome will either be an abandoned pursuit or a better internal comms business function. (My money is on a more improved internal comms) One of the best ways Internal communications can continue to grow and show its full potential is through hard work and proof: 86% of employees cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes for workplace failures. (https://bit.ly/45TN1p5) Improved internal communication can improve organisational productivity by as much as 25%. (https://mck.co/3kjpVkx) Statistics like these as well as more direct proof of how internal comms affects the company's NPS will be the evidence that solidifies internal comms as a primary business function. With time internal comms will continue to show improvements, however, this will only happen if those working within internal comms roles are able to continue the upward momentum and not shy away from any confrontation. Instead, you need to show your value as a business function and continually improve your practice. Improving your practice can come in many forms, for some, you may be lucky enough to pursue specialisation within internal comms topics and fields, for others, you will have to learn different skills such as design (Canva), data analysis and video creation. As an internal comms specialist you do not need to master these other avenues however, learning how to use simple design programs like Canva will go a long way in making internal comms more autonomous and an effective business function. Especially with the release of technology like LLM's (Large Language Models) and other AI the entry requirements for things like, content writing, image creation, and video creation have been lowered dramatically and are easier to use now more than ever. Evolution is not a choice, it's something we should strive for. We have put together some of the key challenges our field faces and tips on how to overcome them. https://bit.ly/45NZE4S

Main takeaway, 'Good communication rooted in strategy will always be more effective because it considers the nuances of a brand’s story, values and voice and ties them to the overall business goals of the organization.' It goes beyond social media likes & retweets, press releases, flyers, brochures etc.