Richter Gedeon

Richter Gedeon Plc. – Development of an Internal Communication Strategy

The challenge

  • Richter is a vast organization with no clear separation between headquarters and local operations, resulting in an overwhelming volume of information.
  • There were no established guidelines for content prioritization, which made it difficult to ensure proper employee awareness and align internal communication with business objectives.
  • Internal communication was traditionally viewed as an executional function, lacking recognition as a professional center of excellence. There had been no dedicated team responsible for overseeing internal communications across the entire organization.
  • Internal communication practices varied significantly across departments, both in volume and quality, and were heavily influenced by the habits and personalities of individual leaders and colleagues.
  • What we did

    From the multitude and complexity of the information provided, we developed a well-structured, transparent, and highly practical strategic framework. This not only promoted intentional thinking but also ensured the flexibility needed to accommodate the diverse organizational structures and leadership styles within Richter.

    Results

    Core Pillars of the Strategy

    • Defining Objectives: We clearly articulated the objectives—both those explicitly and implicitly stated by senior leadership and the internal communications team—ensuring a shared reference point for all internal communication efforts.
    • Establishing Guiding Principles: For each component of the strategy, we defined guiding principles to steer communication practices and support a focused, prioritized approach.
    • Framework Development: Given the sheer volume of internal topics and the lack of planning, communication was ineffective for both employees and internal communications professionals. We built a transparent, easily applicable framework to help prioritize topics and activities, provide rationales for content selection, and support structured planning. We also outlined a practical operational model for implementation.
    • Internal Audience Segmentation: We developed segmentation criteria based on relevance and impact to ensure that the right internal audiences received the appropriate messages.
    • Focus Topics and Messaging: We created a messaging structure for key themes to shape employee perceptions in line with leadership expectations.
    • Prioritization and Filtering: A criteria-based classification system was developed to streamline content prioritization. This helped reduce information overload and supported discussions with other departments.
    • Channel Matrix: We designed a channel matrix aligned with content priorities to ensure appropriate intensity and delivery of messages.
    • Roles and Responsibilities: We clarified previously undefined roles and responsibilities in internal communication to improve operational efficiency.
    • Timing and Scheduling: A company-wide internal communication roadmap template was created to prevent information congestion and improve message absorption.
    • Internal Communication Visual Identity: Since digestibility is key in internal communication, we introduced a more diverse and adaptable visual identity compared to external branding. This included a dynamic logo system, an extended color palette, and clearly defined tone of voice, graphic, and photographic styles—while maintaining alignment with the external brand identity.
    • Measurement: Aligned with a business-oriented mindset, we defined the KPIs and measurement methods for assessing the effectiveness of internal communication activities and channels. We also set criteria for establishing annual goals in collaboration with individual departments.

    In the spring of 2023, internal communication responsibilities were transferred from the PR and Government Affairs Department to the Human Resources Directorate. To implement centralized, unified, and effective business-driven internal communication, a comprehensive strategy was needed—one that would provide a structured and transparent framework, offer clear guidance for both the internal communication team and the wider organization, and support the deliberate development of internal communication practices. The creation of the strategy also presented an opportunity to reposition the internal communications team, as it received increased attention and had to meet specific expectations from senior leadership.

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