I'm the Communications and Engagement lead at Marshalls. In fact, I'm the first focussed IC person Marshalls have ever had. The company recognised the need to invest in people, and I get the pleasure of helping them do just that. I'm very excited about the future possibilities at Marshalls. It's all to play for.
Because I'm a lone ranger, I pick up all the tasks of a comms team. All of them! To give a glimpse of what this looks like, here's my Thursday from a few weeks ago:
7.30am – today we kick-off with the first of almost 80 roadshows. The Marshalls Exec team will travel the length and breadth of the UK (with a few skype calls to far flung places like China) to deliver a presentation to 2,800 people. The twist this year… we've changed the format so that these sessions become a really valuable use of time and a great employee experience. So, here I am, in early doors to ensure the content is ready
8am – I'm happy the content is the best it can be. Coffee time!
8.30am – we're in the process of launching a new serious concerns process, so the first communication is lined up to go. Before pressing send, I make sure the posters are displayed, and the toilet door stickers are in place (if you haven't used the toilet doors for messaging you're missing out – captive audience)
9.30am – I watch the Marshalls CEO deliver the first presentation and everything goes very well. The content is received brilliantly. While I was listening I was also capturing what was being said as my notes from the session will form the speaker guidance for the other Executives
11am – I'm out of the presentation and back at my desk to type up the speaker guidance. I have about a day to turn these around - eek!
12noon – it's time for a lunch break
12.30pm – I get my head down to finish the speaker guide so that I can send it for review and sign off
2pm – all done with the speaker guide, now I'm heading into a meeting about our new employee engagement measurement tool – a first here at Marshalls and we're very excited about it
3pm – I attend the HR leadership team meeting to talk about building a more digital workplace. I told you it's all to play for, and it really is. We have so many exciting plans for our digital workplace, but first we must apply some focus with a digital roadmap (I'll add it to the list)
4pm – I grab a quick coffee while I meet our Marketing team for a chat about brand and external comms. We work together all the time as we're really passionate about ensuring the external and internal are joined up. Plus, they're a great bunch
Niall Ryan reflects on how a secondment from retail operations to supporting comms with a transformation programme led him into a career in employee engagement – and he’s never looked back.
Simon McMurdo joined the Advanced Diploma wanting evidence to back up his instincts. He came away with a network of IC peers, sharper strategic thinking, and the confidence to advise leaders with confidence.
Emma Cash, communications business partner at British Airways, explains how frontline experience, trust and visibility shape IC across a complex operation.
Jacqueline Ryan, Senior Internal Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, made the move into internal communication from a science and manufacturing background, with some imposter syndrome along the way. She shares how working towards her 40 CPD points a year built her knowledge, credibility and confidence, and became a lasting habit of continuous learning.
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