Turning human capital into brand tribes
IN this highly globalised competitive business world, the human component has become key in marketing and increasing the brand equity of an organisation through cut throat marketing initiatives.
Given the increasingly digitalised marketing world, many organisations have been “trapped” in the information and communication technology to push their products and services to a market saturated by all sorts of information platforms churning out all kinds of messages from a restive business community.
As companies grapple to attain that competitive edge, it has become more than necessary to continually review their strategies, so as to claim that pole position on the market.
Many companies, however, risk losing the plot by overly investing in the digital mode of operating, while ignoring the human capital side. Notwithstanding the efficacy and cost effectiveness that the digitalised modus operandi has brought, it is still very necessary for companies to adopt a two pronged approach by also making sure the human capital is also integral in brand engagement.
Need for adaptive and resilient internal brand tribe
To make our brands incredibly adaptive and resilient in the face of fierce competition, the training of our human capital in internal brand engagement is now more compelling than before. is kind of training helps each and everyone understand the brand in a way they can own it, as well as feel as an important part of the organisation.
Once everyone is “attested” into the organisational brand, it would create an enduring and valuable internal and external image that will be difficult to challenge.
It is the internal audience that gives that unique expression of who you are as an organisation and it is these same people who if properly engaged can create a vibrant brand. It is therefore strategic to work from the inside out.
Creating an organisational communication strategy
An organisational communication strategy therefore must be put in place in order to support the strategic objectives of the organisation. e communication objectives should be derived from the organisation’s overarching strategic objectives with a view to ensuring that all staff understand and own their organisation’s mission, vision and values and commit themselves to taking the organisation to the next level.
Communication strategy — is the “how” (versus the “why” or the “what”) of communications. A communication strategy is the overall approach that will be used to mobilise the communication resources in the most effective, creative, smart ways possible to achieve organisational objectives.
Communication is the lifeline of an organisation. In any organisation, it is vital for members of the organisation, also referred to as internal publics, to show the linkage between their use of communication resources and the work they do. Communication in an organisation acts as the linkage that connects the subsystems to the whole system — the organisation. As with any system, a weakness in any subsystem affects the whole system. us, poor communication affects an organisation’s operations and hinders it from achieving its goals.
Management must ensure effective development of staff communications skills and behaviour through recruitment practice, induction, training and appraisal management systems.
Recommendations to achieve this:
Appropriate communications competencies are included in job specifications;
All staff formally inducted in organisation’s communications standards and written or electronic communication guidelines; and
Staff assessed against communications competencies, and training provided as necessary.
Within and between each programme or activity, communication should take place in a language or languages with which all staff are familiar. Also within and between staff, written communication must be clear and concise. All major initiatives by the organisation should include a specific staff communication plan. Further to this, management should ensure that all news and information reach staff in sufficient time for them to be able to comment or take action as appropriate.
Accordingly, staff must be consulted on matters that directly affect them before decisions are taken, where this makes decisions most effective.
Communication is not only strategic, but is a crucial tool in support and promotion of organisational objectives. e ultimate goal of communication is to facilitate change in attitudes and behaviour rather than merely to disseminate information. e internal and external “messaging” should be consistent with the internal and external interaction of the human capital.
For every organisation to achieve its goals and operations, as well as creating a sustainable brand, it should realise the centrality of communication in doing so. Every management function must exert itself to bolster the internal and external communication system, so as to establish and maintain a lasting impressionable brand for the growth of business. is can only be achieved through assisting its human capital to own the brand and making them feel as an important part of the organisation.
Mandeya is a certified executive leadership coach, corporate education trainer and management consultant and founder of Leadership Institute of Research and Development (LiRD). — robert@ lird.co.zw/ or info@lird.co.zw, Facebook: @lirdzim and Mobile/WhatsApp: +263 719 466 925.