Hey there, I'm Devin!
Most of the time you can catch me deep in the world of internal comms at Workshop (yes, the Happy Mondays folks!), and while I love AI, there are just some comms questions that need a human who really gets it… that’s me!
Hey Devin,
Can you give some tangible ways to show ROI on internal comms in a monetary or time way? Especially intranet stories that tell the narrative (beyond metrics and employee engagement surveys). Always looking for ways for IC to demonstrate its worth!
I know the ROI question for comms comes up a lot, but honestly? I love that you’re asking it! Because as internal communicators, we should be thinking about how our work saves time, prevents confusion, and makes it easier for people to do their best work.
Time is one of our most valuable resources — especially as AI picks up some of the more repetitive stuff! That shift gives internal comms this really exciting opportunity to lean more into the work that takes judgment, strategy, and taste. If AI can write the first draft, we get to spend our energy on the stuff that really lands.
So when you’re looking to show value, I’d start by tracking where comms is making things easier or faster. Fewer repeat questions after a rollout, fewer (or more specific and nuanced) tickets to IT, faster onboarding, or even a more aligned leadership team because your messaging gave them shared language.
Intranet content can be trickier to quantify, but that’s where stories come in. Think about the quiet wins — like a how-to post that helped someone solve a problem on their own, or a team spotlight that inspired someone to apply internally. These moments might not show up in charts, but they’re part of the ripple effect good comms can have. Don’t be afraid to name them, connect the dots, and share how those moments contribute to bigger company goals.
One last thing: getting people to the intranet at all is half the battle. I always recommend treating it like a destination, not an afterthought. Tease the value in your company’s instant messaging tool or email, write headlines that feel human, and link out with intention (“See how it works” > “Read more”).
If your comms help people move faster and with less friction… that’s worth something. And if you ever want to bounce around more ideas or dig into a specific example, my email is always open!
