Assessing the importance of internal communication to Dutch business

Published in our newsletter of 13 December 2011 – Citigate First Financial is conducting a study into the importance of internal communication to Dutch business. In the study we assess how closely internal communication is aligned to strategic business objectives. We explore how well connected internal communication is to the leadership team and wider business and how the value of internal communication is measured. And, by delving into current internal communication priorities and challenges we assess common themes driving the corporate communication agenda in 2012. No study would be complete without a focus on channels, old and new, and we are investigating which traditional methods of communication continue to be important and to what extent Dutch companies are using social media as an internal communication tool.

We are conducting the research with fifty listed and unlisted companies in the Netherlands as well as the Dutch operations of international businesses. So far we have interviewed half of the participating companies and the findings will be published in the first quarter of 2012.

Although it’s too early to draw firm conclusions, early indications show that the internal communication function is well established in Dutch business as a provider of internal news flow but with limited focus on measurement of the impact of internal communication.