HotSpot: Employee Communications Blog

How Graphic Designers Improve Readability

Posted by Laura Dechaine on Sep 14, 2022 10:00:00 AM

Laura Dechaine

When the average attention span is only eight seconds, it’s a challenge, as designers, to create deliverables that are engaging to read. How do we get the audience to pause long enough to read the information, have it resonate and then take action? How do we compete with the streams of information coming at them at every second of every day? In short, it’s a delicate balance – one that requires the right balance of images and words. Designers want more graphics and writers want more words.

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Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, social media, communication strategy, Marketing, culture, graphic design, readability

Keep It Simple

Posted by Sheila Eckhardt on Aug 25, 2022 10:00:00 AM

Sheila Eckhardt

With so many of us juggling work responsibilities and trying to find time for a personal life, you’ve got to appreciate it when you can get the information you need in a short and concise communication. As the one delivering the message, understand and respect that everyone is working hard to find more free time. If it can be said in fewer words, do it!

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Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, social media, communication strategy, Marketing, culture, testimonials

EAP Engagement: Empowering Employees to Prioritize Well-Being

Posted by Spitfire Communications on Aug 9, 2022 10:00:00 AM

Some of the highest performing employees are facing personal challenges of their own, which can negatively affect their productivity and the working environment around them. By taking advantage of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), these employees can access professional help from skilled providers like social workers, counselors and lawyers, among others. 

One common pitfall many employers face is lack of employee participation in an established EAP. Whether it stems from subpar communication or certain stigmas associated with getting help for vulnerable issues, many employees avoid actively utilizing the EAP. 


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Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, social media, communication strategy, Marketing, culture, mental health, emotional

The Power of Employee Testimonials

Posted by Lori Barger on Jul 26, 2022 10:07:13 AM

Lori Barger

When looking to build your company’s brand, you don’t need to look externally to begin start with your employees, who can be your biggest cheerleaders. According to CareerArc’s Future of Recruitment study, candidates have three times more trust in an organization and its work culture when it provides employee testimonials.


Peer endorsements often bring more trust and credibility to your messaging. Word of mouth creates awareness in a way that traditional communications can’t reach.

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Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, social media, communication strategy, Marketing, culture, testimonials

Supporting and Empowering Employees with Disabilities

Posted by Gonmit Sehmbi on Jul 12, 2022 10:15:00 AM

Gonmit Sehmbi

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2021, 19.1% of persons with disabilities were employed, up from 17.9% in 2020. However, employer disability inclusion programs should encompass more than just hiring people with disabilities. Unfortunately, not many organizations see this focus as a way to enhance their company brand and employee culture. 

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Tags: Employee Communications, HR Communications, Employee Engagement, internal communications, effectiveness, communication strategy, Marketing, culture, inclusivity

Using Video Communication to Engage Your Employees

Posted by Spitfire Communications on Jun 8, 2020 11:00:00 AM

During this unprecedented time, technology is the crucial bridge between many employees and their workplaces. It is even more essential to communicate effectively as well as create opportunities to connect despite the distance. It can be challenging to get the message out to employees across varying locations without the right communication tools to keep them engaged. 

Video is an effective medium you can use to help cut through the noise and capture employees’ attention. Video communications allow you to connect in a clear, authentic way and motivate vividly and visually, capturing the kind of realism that an email or phone call simply cannot. 

Internal communications videos are popular, cost-friendly, easy-to-create tools you can use to increase employee engagement, spark team collaboration and ensure reusable, secure content to keep in your organizational archives.

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Tags: What's Trending, Employee Communications, communication strategy, Marketing, Employee Marketing, 2020, video

A Communications Strategy Case Study: Ocean Spray Cranberries

Posted by Spitfire Communications on May 28, 2020 10:30:00 AM

The last time Ocean Spray was featured on our blog, we focused on their efforts (and success) in implementing an employee benefits website. Now that employees are comfortable with digital communications, how do we make more of an impact, gain insight and build toward the future? The organic next step was to create a strategy and management plan that would enable their communications to continually evolve and adapt to their employees’ needs. Read on to see how we helped.

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Tags: What's Trending, Employee Communications, communication strategy, Marketing, Employee Marketing, 2020, momentum, COVID

Compassionate and Effective Employee Communications in a Crisis

Posted by Spitfire Communications on Mar 24, 2020 11:05:39 AM

There are certain employee communication plans you hope your organization never has to use. They stay tucked away in the shared drive for an unthinkable and unlikely day. But with the rapidly-evolving coronavirus pandemic blindsiding employers around the globe, the unfathomable is becoming the norm. Some are left to dig out their crisis communication plans while others are starting a draft from scratch.  

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Tags: What's Trending, Employee Communications, communication strategy, Marketing, Employee Marketing, 2020, momentum, COVID

Creating Compelling Employee Communications That Build 2020 Momentum

Posted by Spitfire Communications on Jan 30, 2020 10:15:00 AM

A Clean-Slate Organizational Opportunity 

In January, after the frenzy of year-end push subsides and the holidays have come and gone, organizations around the globe are presented with a unique opportunity: the clean slate that comes with a brand new year. It can be used to kick-start an array of new initiatives – from health and wellness incentives to policy and system changes, strategic planning and goal setting for the next few quarters. It’s an intuitive time to introduce mission-critical endeavors and an essential time to engage your employees for success in the year ahead. 

Productivity, Performance, Profitability & Retention: The Perks of Employee Engagement

According to a 2018 Gallup survey, organizations with higher levels of employee engagement and lower levels of active disengagement consistently outperform their competitors. From a profitability standpoint, employers who excel in engaging their employees realize four times the earnings-per-share growth of those who don’t. Companies in the top quartile of engagement achieve substantially better customer engagement and employee retention, increased productivity, fewer accidents and 21% higher profitability. Engaged workers also report better health outcomes. In 2019, a G2 Crowd survey reported companies planned to increase employee engagement spending by 45%, a sign that discerning employers recognize the undeniable importance of keeping an engaged workforce. 

The way your organization engages with your employees during these first few weeks of the year can set the tone for your most vital 2020 initiatives. Creating communications that motivate employees to get involved and mitigate their concerns can help your organization stay in that top quartile, enjoying the real perks of employee engagement. 

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Tags: What's Trending, Employee Communications, communication strategy, Marketing, Employee Marketing, 2020, momentum

How to Maintain Balance During the Busiest Time of Year

Posted by Spitfire Communications on Dec 17, 2019 10:00:00 AM

Welcome to the season of doing. In an organizational sense, this can mean anything from employee reviews to compensation evaluations, end-of-year loose ends and next year’s strategic vision. All of this builds up to a never-ending pileup of personal endeavors, events and expectations. Everything from shopping to hosting, volunteering, attending, giving, receiving and all-in-all juggling the many responsibilities (and subsequent side effects) of the holidays. 

Here are 7 Ways to help you maintain balance (both personal and professional) during the busiest time of year: 

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Tags: What's Trending, Employee Communications, happy holidays, Marketing, Employee Marketing, culture, wellness, mental health

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About This Blog

Spitfire’s very own blog, where we’ll shed light on best practices, insights, and experiences in the field of employee communications

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