How Fortune 500 communicators are rethinking employee communications and culture

In an era where employee engagement is more critical than ever, Fortune 500 companies are rethinking their approaches to communication and culture. With tens of thousands of workers across diverse functions and varying needs, these large organizations must find ways to keep employees motivated and aligned with company goals. At Ragan’s Employee Communications & Culture Conference, held in Boston from April 21-23, leaders from companies like Honeywell, Cisco, M&T Bank, and Humana shared their strategies for fostering a cohesive and engaged workforce.

One key focus at the conference was on activating managers as communicators. Managers are often seen as underutilized channels within organizations, yet they play a pivotal role in connecting employees with the company’s vision. Brooks Newkirk, director of executive and internal communications at Honeywell, led an interactive session on building manager toolkits that are both usable and effective. Drawing from her experience at Honeywell, Compass Group USA, and VF Corporation, Newkirk emphasized the importance of creating simple, actionable resources for managers, including templates, FAQs, and clear communication cadences.

The session also explored message cascades, which connect the C-suite to front-line employees, and establishing feedback loops to measure the real impact of communication efforts. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, drafting manager briefs and practicing consultative conversations to better understand how to implement these strategies in their own organizations.

Another significant trend highlighted at the conference was the shift toward video storytelling. As employees increasingly consume information through short, engaging videos, companies are adapting their internal communication strategies to meet this demand. Allison Murry, director of communications at Cisco, who leads internal communications for a 10,000-person global operations team, discussed the importance of creating high-impact, scalable video experiences that foster connection and understanding.

Murry’s session broke down the challenges and opportunities of crafting internal videos that employees want to watch. By focusing on storytelling and clear messaging, companies can leverage video as a powerful tool for engagement and cultural cohesion. The session provided insights into best practices for producing effective internal videos, ensuring they resonate with employees and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

These strategies reflect a broader trend among Fortune 500 communicators: a commitment to prioritizing employee needs and fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration. By investing in manager enablement and innovative communication methods, these organizations are working to build a more engaged, motivated workforce that can drive success in an increasingly competitive business landscape.

In conclusion, the Employee Communications & Culture Conference underscored the importance of continuous adaptation in the world of corporate communication. As Fortune 500 companies grapple with the complexities of managing large, diverse workforces, the focus on empowering managers and embracing video storytelling represents a significant shift in how these organizations approach employee engagement and culture. By prioritizing these strategies, companies can cultivate a more cohesive, motivated workforce that is better equipped to achieve shared goals and drive organizational success.