Comment les équipes de communication et les équipes financières peuvent-elles travailler ensemble pour améliorer la communication ?

Understanding each other's roles and objectives is key to improving communication between communication and finance teams. In my experience, I've successfully bridged this gap by initiating a dialogue where finance explained financial reporting intricacies, while we highlighted communication needs. This mutual understanding led to a streamlined approach, resulting in more precise and understandable financial reports. This not only enhanced our financial communication but also fostered a stronger collaborative relationship. A real-world example of how this alignment can achieve common goals.

The communications and finance teams can work together to enhance communication by implementing several strategies. Here are two best practices: Regular Meetings: Schedule regular check-ins to ensure both teams are aligned. This can be monthly or quarterly reviews. Unified Messaging: Work together to ensure that any financial data shared with the public is clear, accurate, and easily understandable.

Try to convert a finance report into a story. Find out the impact it created on people, business and community. Weave characters and build story accordingly. Remember, people LOVE stories. They are easy to understand than graphs/pie-charts.

In my experience, successful collaboration between communication and finance teams in content creation and delivery is crucial. One instance at work stands out. We united to produce our annual financial report, recognising the significance of clear and engaging content. By involving finance early in the process, we ensured the accuracy and relevance of the data. They provided valuable insights that enriched our messaging. Together, we meticulously planned the report's design and timing. The outcome was a report that not only met regulatory requirements but also engaged readers. It showcased our financial achievements and aligned with our brand's tone and style.

One of my favorite stories is asking my finance colleagues a yes or no question and getting a spreadsheet in reply. We speak such different languages at times. I walked over to the team with pastries - I'm not above bribery - and asked for help translating numbers into concepts and stories. We set time to talk it through, and after that I knew how to ask better questions and they understood my blindspots and what I was looking for. We had a great partnership and created a better experience for employees.

Think of it like a tag team match where both players have different superpowers. Communication teams and finance teams can team up by using their unique skills. For example, the finance folks can help track the costs of communication strategies, while the communicators can create engaging content to explain complex financial jargon. Together, they can make sure the company's message is both crystal clear and financially savvy.

Seeking feedback and improvement is crucial for teams, including finance and communication. Here's how they can do it: Set regular feedback sessions to assess accuracy, relevance, and clarity. Conduct stakeholder surveys to understand content reception. Stay updated on industry best practices through events and networking. Seek external expert feedback, like consultants or trusted colleagues. Setting specific improvement goals is also vital, such as reducing errors or boosting content engagement. This fosters a culture of continuous learning, enhancing collaboration and financial communication effectiveness.

There isn't anything unique about a finance team that need special treatment... in all things as communicators you're looking at outcomes, you're looking to make the complex simple and you're looking to get from A to B with the least friction as possible. As early as possible in the process, seek to understand: why they want/need to communicate and what they expect to happen when they do. Then you can implement a communication approach that supports the need, understands the audience and delivers. Or you'll help them realise they may not need to communicate on this topic at all! Win win.

To justify the internal comms investment, you've got to speak the language of the suits, the currency of the realm - dollars and cents. Think of internal comms as your trusty utility belt in the world of business danger. What's the risk of NOT having internal comms? Employees get disengaged, rumors start swirling, productivity tanks, and suddenly, you're facing a full-blown PR crisis. That's not just a headache; it's a financial nightmare waiting to happen.