Career development is the cornerstone of IoIC’s mission. By offering a holistic approach to building new skills, IoIC is empowering internal comms professionals to reach new heights in their field, ultimately equipping them with the tools, techniques, evidence and confidence to drive organisational success.
The Institute aims to set the highest standards for the profession – and helping members achieve these standards is fundamental.
Emily Darling, professional development manager at IoIC, explains: “Raising standards is core to our strategic goals. We’re enabling members to thrive in their roles and drive their careers forward by building crucial skills for them and for their organisations.”
Jennifer Sproul, chief executive, echoes this sentiment, emphasising the broader impact of IoIC’s work: “At the core of why IoIC and organisations like ours exist is a unique and ambitious purpose to not only elevate the work of the membership community, but to support those members’ career pathways. This allows us to advocate for internal comms and the organisational outcomes of our work.”
A broad portfolio for learning
IoIC’s comprehensive approach to professional development caters to different learning styles and career stages, from those just starting in IC to seasoned professionals.
“We have qualifications and training, including longer learning programmes such as FastTrack and Masterclasses,” explains Emily. “We also provide resources through our Knowledge Hub, which includes Voice articles, guides, factsheets and podcasts.”
A key benefit of IoIC membership is access to a supportive network of internal communication practitioners. This community aspect enhances the learning experience and complements the formal training programmes.
The Communities area on the website, for example, provides a platform for members to exchange tips, build valuable connections, and learn from peers’ experiences. And the mentoring programme is a great way to support both mentor and mentee with their professional development.
A timely and relevant offering
As the field of internal communication evolves, so does IoIC’s offering. Emily says: “We look at the Profession Map and offer training that aligns with that. We keep up to date with changes in the profession. For example, most recently we have been focusing on AI, agile working and sustainability.”
Jennifer highlights the need to adapt training and content: “As we enter the next age of internal communication, there are challenging times ahead. For instance, how do we embed AI into our practices? How can we encourage organisations to prioritise employee engagement?”
The content of older courses is updated too, in line with new techniques and research.
A prime example of how IoIC is continually expanding its offering to meet the evolving needs of its members is the Careers Hub and IC Diagnostic tool, which launches later in 2024 (see page 46).
The IC Diagnostic tool is a self-assessment tool that will allow members to assess their skills against the Profession Map. It will also be useful for managers who have signed up for team membership, as they will be able to ask their teams to use it, and so gain insight into how they as managers are guiding their team.
“Self-assessment enables individuals to consider where they are currently, where they would like to be and what they need to do in order to get there,” says Emily. “The process of self-assessment can help IC professionals identify areas for improvement, develop a reflective and questioning attitude, think critically, discover strengths and cultivate confidence.”
Measuring success and future goals
For IoIC, the continuous growth of individuals brings about a collective strength. Jennifer says: “We want to grow our membership because it amplifies our voice. The more members we have, the more effectively we can demonstrate that professional standards in internal communication are crucial. It also helps us emphasise that internal communication is a skilled profession, not something just anyone can do without proper training and expertise.”
Emily emphasises the importance of curiosity in this collaborative environment: “Curiosity is one of the key behaviours on our Profession Map. I encourage everyone to embrace it. This could be as simple as seeking out a new article in your field. Take the initiative to explore and try new things.”
Jennifer concludes: “Make learning a priority by setting aside dedicated time for it. Continuous learning is essential in our rapidly evolving field of internal communication.”
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