The halfway mark of the year is behind us, and now it’s time to shift gears. As an IC professional, Q3 is your opportunity to take the insights from your mid-year reviews and translate them into action. But with summer in full swing—vacations, lighter schedules, and shifting priorities—how do you ensure your communication strategy stays impactful and aligned with organizational goals?

Here’s how:

Reevaluate Your Objectives

• The goals and priorities set at the beginning of the year may no longer fully align with where your organization is today. Mid-year reviews often reveal shifts in business focus, morale, or engagement trends. Use these insights to refine your communication goals for Q3 and beyond.
• Employees respond better when communications are streamlined and tied to relevant goals. Fewer, more focused messages ensure clarity and impact.
• Pro Tip: Narrow your focus to 3–5 core messages that resonate with organizational priorities while engaging employees. When employees see the connection between their work and the company’s goals, engagement naturally improves.

Leverage Data to Drive Decisions

• Data is your compass. Use pulse surveys and analytics to identify what’s working and adjust accordingly. For instance, are employees engaging with leadership updates? Is your intranet being underutilized? Adjust your strategy based on these insights.
• Data removes guesswork from your IC planning. By understanding what resonates with employees, you can allocate resources more effectively and create targeted campaigns that have a measurable impact.
• Example: A manufacturing company used survey insights to shift their focus to safety protocols during summer, increasing message visibility by 15% and reducing incidents by 10%.

Balance Long-Term Goals with Quick Wins

• Q3 is the perfect time to focus on smaller, high-impact initiatives while laying the groundwork for Q4 milestones, such as year-end campaigns or budget planning. Quick wins like recognition programs or interactive updates can maintain momentum while you work on larger initiatives in the background.
• Quick wins provide immediate value to employees, keeping them engaged and motivated, while forward planning ensures alignment with overarching business goals.
• Pro Tip: Build a roadmap that balances long-term goals with immediate actions to maintain momentum.

By strategically refocusing your IC efforts, while keeping seasonal dynamics in mind, you can ensure your team stays aligned with business objectives and engaged throughout the summer. The second half of the year is your chance to demonstrate the true value of internal communications.

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