The latest from our blog
Explore insights, how-to tips, trends, and best practices from our team of internal communications experts. All our blog posts are original content written by our writers, consultants, and interns.
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Meet our Team… One Sandwich at a Time
Great teams are built on shared experiences, different perspectives, and, apparently, very strong sandwich preferences. Inspired by “The Colbert Questionert,” we asked OKG team members to answer the question: What’s the best sandwich? The responses are equal parts appetizing, nostalgic, and revealing—and a delicious way to get to know the people behind our organization. Roast Pork with…
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Why employees resist HR changes (and what you can do about it)
Organizational change is a constant these days, and no part of any organization is immune. But HR change may be the one that affects employees most directly. So these types of changes (from self-service technologies to new Total Rewards packages or different reporting structures) can make it especially hard to go with the flow. But…
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Change management meets AI: How to make it work
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organizations operate, communicate, and adapt—often faster than traditional change management frameworks can handle. In our June 2024 conversation, Shaun McMillan, an independent consultant who has spearheaded change initiatives at several global pharmaceutical companies, described the key ingredients for successful partnerships between change management and communications professionals. Here, we explore how…
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Is grammar dead? How Gen Z communication is changing the workplace
For decades, professional communication followed a familiar script: polite greeting, proper punctuation, tidy sign-off. Grammar wasn’t just correctness. It signaled credibility, care, and respect. Then came Slack. Today, a perfectly acceptable workplace message might read: “got it will review” No caps. No period. No pleasantries. Just… efficiency. For many Gen Z professionals this isn’t lazy—it’s…
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In change communication, middle managers can be the bridge
How many emails did you delete today without opening? In a world of overflowing inboxes and nonstop notifications, most messages barely register. But when an email comes from someone you know and trust, you’re much more likely to open it. Recognition builds engagement. That simple truth has big implications for employee communications, especially during change.…
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SPDs: Trending in the right direction
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) have stepped out of the shadows. Once viewed as purely compliance documents, they’re now a core part of effective benefits communication. Today’s best SPDs mirror the look and feel of other benefit materials, prioritize clarity, embrace digital accessibility, and integrate innovative approaches, such as “wrap SPDs.” So how do you strike…
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AI is tech, adoption is human: Four pillars of a successful communication strategy
AI implementations are among the most challenging initiatives organizations face today. The technology evolves quickly, expectations are high, and leaders are under pressure to deliver results fast. While AI tools promise significant productivity gains, many organizations struggle to move beyond rollout to meaningful, sustained use. Reimagining how we work The biggest challenge is rarely whether…
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Annual Enrollment is behind us. But benefits communication is just getting started.
Annual enrollment is a two-week sprint, but helping employees understand the wealth of benefits available to them and the value they bring is a communication journey. Now that AE is in our rearview mirror, here are some things to consider: Four reasons ongoing communication is so important: Plan your campaign Start with an Annual Enrollment…
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Beyond Three Days: How Modern Employers Are Rethinking Grief Support
When my spousal equivalent died five years ago, I was already on a three-month sabbatical from my job. I didn’t have to ask for bereavement leave or explain my situation to HR or my boss. But most workers are not in a comparable situation. Traditionally, many U.S. employers offer just three days of bereavement leave…
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Branding is Culture Made Visible: A Communicator’s Playbook
Corporate branding is typically viewed as outward facing, but its impact inside the organization is just as important. And when an organization rebrands, the employee communications team plays a key role: ensuring that all internal communications reflect the new brand, providing guidance to other departments and agency partners, and serving as role models for the…
