Internal Communications
June 29, 2017
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Achieve Better Internal Communications with the 3 C’s

Integrated Communications: Changing the Game - People communicating at a conference table

Bring Your Team Together with the Three C's of Communication

Let’s be real: communication is everything in today’s world.

Whether it’s between teams, with customers, or across departments, having a solid way to stay connected is key. But how do you keep everyone on the same page without creating a confusing mess?

Enter integrated communications, the glue that holds everything together. By focusing on the Three C’s of Communication — Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration — create an internal communication strategy that works. This approach keeps things running smoothly without needing full department overhauls.

Why Integrated Communications Matter

So, why should you value integrated communications? When teams unify communication, it just works better.

The real question is, how do we communicate without turning everything into a sales pitch?

Here’s the deal—effective communication isn’t just about selling stuff. Sure, marketing is part of it, but not every conversation needs to be about closing a deal.

What’s important is creating an internal communication strategy that works for employees, community leaders, and government officials. By focusing on common goals while tailoring messages, we can keep things aligned and effective. This is where the Three C’s of Communication come in.

The Three C’s of Communication: A Simple Way to Get Aligned

1. Communication: The Starting Point

It all begins with basic communication, but you’d be surprised how often that's overlooked. If you’ve ever worked at a large company, you know how easily departments become siloed. Communication channels break down, and projects start overlapping. Even worse, they may end up contradicting each other.

Communication doesn’t just make things easier—it opens doors and creates understanding. It also makes work more enjoyable when everyone's on the same page!

Why this matters:

  • You get better visibility into what other teams are up to.
  • Messages across the company stay consistent, but still feel personalized.
  • It sets the stage for real collaboration later on.

2. Coordination: The Next Step

Once your team can communicate effectively, it’s time for coordination. This is where you start making sure all the puzzle pieces fit together—no more stepping on each other’s toes! Think of it like planning a surprise party. You wouldn’t want two people sending out invites for different events at the same time.

Imagine two business units planning to send out major announcements on the same day. Instead of conflicting, they coordinate their timelines, preventing any audience confusion. This shows how a bit of coordination can prevent a lot of headaches.

Why coordination in communication goals is awesome:

  • It prevents conflicting messages from bombarding your employees and customers.
  • You’ll create a more harmonious working environment (and who doesn’t want that?).
  • It allows teams to stay flexible and work together more smoothly for the long term.

3. Collaboration: The Game-Changer

The final piece of the puzzle is collaboration, and this is where the magic happens. Collaboration takes everything a step further. Now your teams aren’t just using strategic communication and coordinating, they’re working together toward a shared goal.

We saw this in many company cultures during the 2020 pandemic. Teams scattered across different regions and could not talk to each other in person. But by focusing on collaboration, they could start sharing more and even work cross-functionally on projects.

What did we see in these results? More efficient processes and better results for everyone involved.

The perks of collaboration:

  • It fosters creativity and innovation because teams are bouncing ideas off each other.
  • Trust and credibility skyrocket—everyone feels more invested when they’re part of the process.
  • Team members share resources, making everything more efficient and impactful.

Building Your Internal Communication Strategy with the Three C's

You're probably wondering how to get started. The good news is it’s easier than you think! Here’s a quick roadmap:

  1. Start with an open internal communications plan. Set up regular meetings where teams (not just business leaders) can share updates, give feedback, and keep everyone in the loop.
  1. Make coordination a priority. Use shared calendars to align messaging across departments. Project management tools can help keep timelines in sync.
  1. Encourage collaboration. Get teams to work together on joint projects or brainstorming sessions. This approach improves results and builds trust. It also fosters a sense of community among team members.

By focusing on all three C's, you can build a strong internal communication strategy. This approach aligns teams with no need for departmental consolidation. And you'll have the benefits of integrated communications without the headaches.

In the end, it’s all about building connections, encouraging teamwork, and ensuring your messages reach the right people. Ready to put the Three C’s to work? Let’s do this! Learn more about True's communication strategy service and see how we can get your team back on track.

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