It’s the holy grail for many boardrooms: engaged employees. “Betrokken”, as they say in Dutch. And it makes sense. They are more committed, more productive, and it leads to greater profitability. And perhaps most importantly, engaged employees are more enjoyable to work with ;-).
But how do you achieve that? And how do you ensure that the mission, vision, and strategy truly come alive within your organization? An internal podcast is a great way to make what’s happening within the company tangible.
An internal podcast is a great way to make what’s happening within the company tangible.
First and foremost, podcasts are easy to consume. Many people are accustomed to them, and while walking, driving, or cooking, many listen to podcasts. Unlike video, you can still do other things simultaneously.
Still on the fence about whether it’s a good idea or where to start? Let me convince you with this top 10 checklist, ensuring it’s worth the investment and time!
1. Strengthen the company culture
Use your podcast primarily to share personal stories. What do individual employees contribute to the company’s mission? Let them tell it themselves. This strengthens the connection and promotes a healthy, open culture.
2. Talk WITH your employees
Again, this is very important. Don’t talk ABOUT employees, but talk WITH them. However, this does require some preparation. Make sure you discuss it well in advance, but don’t let them memorize anything.
3. Emphasize successes
“We celebrate success too little,” I often hear when helping with internal communication. Success is considered normal, and anything deviating is abnormal. That’s a shame. So CELEBRATE those successes, big or small. Highlight why it’s important and how it contributes to the bigger picture. On the other hand…
4. Failures are great
A good story has its ups and downs. Don’t cover up the mistakes. In fact, magnify them! A hero is more interesting if they’ve been knocked down once. Emphasize the lessons learned. And highlighting failures makes a story much easier to remember.
5. Prioritize audio quality
Your listeners are used to radio and podcasts. They expect quality. Invest in good recording software and audio editing. Polished, professional podcasts will keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
6. Choose the right format
Consider the format. How will the show sound? What does your audience want? What do you want? Do you want them to learn? Then a deep dive into a single topic can be great. Do you want to quickly inform everyone? Consider a magazine-style show that covers multiple subjects at a faster pace.
7. What is the NEWS?
Sometimes we talk with a lot of strategy-jargon. Force yourself to create tangible headlines. What are the striking results? Did something new start? Did a trend emerge? Did a trend turn around? What’s in it for THEM? Create a STORY instead of an MBA lecture. (trust me, I know)
8. Plan your broadcasts in advance
Consistency is crucial! Create a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Every first Monday of the month or at the start of each quarter? Anything is fine, as long as people understand your rhythm.
9. Check with your IT colleagues
Consult with your IT department on where to best publish your podcast. Since it’s internal, you don’t want it accessible to everyone. But employees should be able to listen to it on their phones. Security rules are sometimes not aligned with podcasts, so test beforehand.
10. Promote your podcast
Nothing happens by itself. Promote your podcast through internal communication channels. Tag people in the accompanying text to pique interest in their colleagues. Encourage people to listen and provide feedback.
With this top 10 checklist, you should be able to create an engaging and successful internal podcast that’s worth the investment. If you need more inspiration or want to delegate some tasks, we have experience in producing, editing, and assembling various internal podcasts and live radio shows. If you’d like to know more, let’s connect
