Exploring Internal Communication: Towards Informed Employee Voice Paperback – 13 Jun. 2022

During the current pandemic, and in the future crises still to come, few things could be as important to organisations as communicating with their internal stakeholders. Because for organisations to survive, and for them to effectively connect to their external audiences, they must first ensure that leadership, trust, honesty and joint purpose are successfully communicated to their internal ones.Exploring Internal Communication, edited by Dr Kevin Ruck of PR Academy, perfectly encapsulates that requirement. A core text for any PR student of internal communication, it is also the go-to publication for any human resources practitioner wanting to ensure their practice is grounded in thorough, research-based evidence.The book introduces key elements of understanding better organisational communication, including a thorough explanation of culture, strategy and purpose. Ruck focuses on the need to be employee-centric and to transform organisations through a business partnering approach. To be effective, Ruck argues that employees should not be just informed, but engaged; communication is THE key component to achieving this.In addition to the rationale for informed employee voice, Exploring Internal Communication outlines practical frameworks and approaches for achieving strategic internal communication, highlighting relevant theories and models to underpin practice. Core elements of effective communication including change management, psychology and narrative story telling are each explored in their turn, with practical examples and observations incorporated from industry leaders such as Rachel Royall, Ann Pilkington and Heather Yaxley.The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in a period of extraordinary change. To meet that challenge, organisations need to know they can rely on professional public relations practitioners who are experts in gauging and responding to internal audiences. The new edition of Exploring Internal Communication will help to upskill staff as well as introducing PR students to the best current and critical thinking in this area. Never has good internal communication been more important.

This represents a much wider version of the third edition, with a clear route to realising employee voice. Kevin has brought together a rich collection of contributors who break down the mechanics of internal communication with clarity. There is a good balance between the strategic elements of the function and the practical. All coming together to demonstrate the importance and value of internal communication for organisations. In fact, it highlights the critical role it plays in achieving success in a time of extreme change and challenge.The additions are really helpful and the book paints a holistic picture of all that is involved in the critical role of strategic internal communication, while having a strong focus on listening and engaging the audience.I enjoyed the detail and care taken to present the many components involved in internal communication - the theory and practical elements that enable practitioners to approach the discipline with sound knowledge. Definitely an important and relevant textbook for the profession

I've read a few versions of Kevin Ruck's book, and they are always well researched, full of useful models and theories. I love how the chapters share a variety of case studies so you can see some of the theories in practice; it's a great way to understand how it can work in practice.I'd say this book is for all levels. I've worked in the internal communication industry for more than 15 years, and Kevin's book is my go-to every time I need some clarification. This latest edition covers new topics such as Artificial Intelligence, which I found extremely useful.Everyone should have this as part of their core reading list.

Dr Kevin Ruck has produced an excellent fourth edition of his textbook 'Exploring internal communications' and hasn't disappointed. He's bought together a range of experts that cover leadership, strategic planning, content & channels and the growing digital workspace.Each chapter brings together theory, research, experience and practical case studies that any communicator will enjoy and you'll be challenged throughout to reflect on your own situation and what you might change based on the knowledge presented.If you haven't already done, as an internal communicator myself, I highly recommend this textbook as a valuable edition to any communicators bookshelf.