It’s a tough time out there for companies in non-essential cateogries. How can companies manage their reputations in the midst of a pandemic? This and other topics on Monday’s #CommsChat with Alastair Pickering from @AlvaReputation

#CommsChat is the place for communicators to come together. We’ll be running a daily #CommsChat from 2-3pm GMT to keep the communications flowing. There aren’t fixed topics, but instead it’ll be an open forum for all communicators during this difficult time.

Join us every day at 2pm via the #CommsChat hashtag to keep in touch with your fellow comms professionals, share your challenges and ideas and generally make social distancing a bit more bearable.

As the Coronavirus continues to bring unprecedented challenges to workforces and organisations, how can internal communicators help guide, advise and support people and leaders through these extraordinary times? The IoIC will join Monday’s #CommsChat to tackle this and other topics, including:

• How should internal communicators be communicating key information to ensure our people feel calm and safe?
• How should internal communicators be utilising their channel infrastructure to make sure people receive relevant information?
• How should internal communication be planning for Coronavirus communications alongside BAU?
• How can internal communicators help people feel connected to the organisation and manage uncertainty?
• How should internal communicators be advising their leaders?
• Covid-19 will change communication. How can ensure we learn and adapt through this period?

On Monday’s #CommsChat, we’ll be joined by Oskar Palmerot from Spoon London, who will be discussing employee engagement, brand reputation and the making employees into brand ambassadors. Topics include:

• What does employee experience mean to you? What is the best employee experience you’ve been part of?
• Are employees the gatekeepers to brand reputation? Why or why not?
• Do companies need to reassess how they communicate with their employees?
• How can companies improve transparency with their internal comms?
• What are the tools available for employee conversations? How can they be improved?
• Are leaders leading by example?

Video is an effective way of communicating with a company’s audiences. But is it now a requirement for good internal comms? We’ll be joined by Carl Timms, head of video at DRPG on Monday’s #CommsChat. Topics include:

• Is video a requirement for an integrated communications campaign? Why or why not?
• How can video be used to best engage employees in non-desk-based settings?
• What types of video are underused for the internal audience?
• Is user-generated video effective for employee engagement?
• When is the right time to decide the style of video required?

At the beginning of National Careers Week, Francis Ingham from the PRCA and PR & comms lead at Growth and Grace Collective, Harriet Smallies will join us for a #CommsChat on attracting diverse talent into the comms industry. Topics include:

• Why is workforce diversity a crucial issue for the communications industry?
• Why are there so few entry-level candidates from BAME backgrounds?
• What steps can individuals/companies take to attract more diverse candidates to entry-level roles?
• Why have the creative industries in particular been so poor at recruiting diverse professionals?
• What myths about working in comms need to be addressed with potential candidates?

When does communications become too much communication? Where is the line? These and other topics on tonight’s #CommsChat.

• Is there such a thing as communications overload? Why or why not?
• How should communicators manage leadership expectations around the frequency of communications?
• Where is the ‘overload line’ for the internal audience? Is that different from other audiences?
• How can communicators avoid overloading their audiences?
• To what extent can data and audience insight help avoid comms overload?

Everything starts somewhere… a newsletter typed on Word eventually might be a glossy magazine. But how are corporate podcasts developed? Paul Philpott from Fresh Air Studios joins us on Monday’s #CommsChat. Topics include

• Are there some scenarios or uses in which podcasts can work really well?
• What considerations should be taken with regards to podcast structure? What considerations need to be given to the audience?
• What’s the best way to start or test the concept?
• How can it be best distributed?
• How would you go about marketing a podcast channel?
• How often should podcasts be produced?

As the fears and informational challenges surrounding the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus swirl, healthcare communicators will discuss the role comms can play in a healthcare crisis. We’ll be joined by Rachel Royall from @CIPRHealth and another health comms expert.

Topics include:

• Who should be communicating during a health crisis?
• What impact does poor or uncertain comms have in this situation?
• What role should healthcare providers play in communicating during a crisis?
• How much should patients and families be told about a developing crisis?
• How damaging are fake news and social media to the public understanding of a health crisis?
• What should companies with stakeholders in an affected area do to communicate about their crisis management?

We’ll be joined by Benjamin Moore from Hex Digital, who will discuss the challenges and opportunities offered to comms professionals and marketers by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Topics include:

• How can AI be used by businesses in comms and marketing campaigns?
• Is AI a good option for data management? How is it currently being used?
• Is there room for creativity in AI-driven campaigns?
• What impact has GDPR had on data management and AI?
• What is holding back the adoption of AI?