PODCASTS

One of our jobs as internal communicators is to give employees options for how they prefer to consume content. Not everyone will read those newsletters or take the time to watch that video — or start every workday checking for what’s new on the intranet.

Podcasts offer another possible channel for reaching employees with cultural communications — and podcasts continue to increase in popularity. Some estimates have the number of podcast listeners topping 100 million by 2024. They’re easy to produce and require a minimal budget, even if you need outside help in recording or editing.

Here are five ways you might use podcasts in your internal communications channel mix:

Humanizing leadership

The human voice conveys so much and can create a powerful connection with listeners. FDR harnessed that power in his Fireside Chats. CEOs and other executive leaders can use podcasts to build personal connections with employees. Use a leadership podcast as a standalone piece on the company values or a significant change — or make it a weekly or monthly update.

Giving employees a voice

A podcast can be a great platform for having employees share their perspectives, and for including employees scattered across global locations. Try asking the same question to a handful of employees — from how they describe the culture to how they see themselves supporting the vision — and edit into a podcast episode that includes a range of individual responses.

Including remote employees

It’s just as easy to record someone working from home as it is in the office. It also makes no difference if employees are in India or Indianapolis, as long as you schedule appropriately for employees’ local time zones. Podcasts give you the opportunity to let employees hear from each other and build connections with colleagues around the globe.

Taking a deep dive into a complex topic

Some business topics or strategic goals are difficult to communicate in a short article or intranet page. A podcast provides time for a subject-matter expert or executive leader to go into more depth and provide a fuller explanation. Use a podcast to explain the research behind a new product introduction or the business reasons behind a major change initiative.

Eliminating concerns around bad hair days

Employees may be more willing to participate in a podcast recording than a video shoot, just because they don’t have to worry about their appearance. All they need to do is engage in a conversation. If they don’t like the way they responded to a certain question, they can give it another whirl. Let them know you’ll use their best parts and delete any false starts or mistakes.