Voxeon Communications

Strategic #internalcommunication is key to creating positive experiences for new parents at work and contribute to employee retention and empowerment. That’s why we’ve created a Reboarding Guide for integrating new mothers back into the workforce. Get in touch if you want to hear more about how a Reboarding or Matrescence Programme can help you meet your business goals.

🎄 #CommsCountdown: Our tips on being "OUT out" the office 🎄 Many of you know the difference between "going out" and "going OUT out" (if not, feel free to Google it) but have you thought about how you can be fully on leave when you take holiday? No? All good, we’ve got you: 📲 Mute or delete certain apps Sometimes, the best way to disconnect is to stop notifications from pulling you back in. Set boundaries by muting or even deleting apps that tend to keep you in the loop. The world will keep turning, we promise. ✅ Wrap up urgent to-dos Tackle those time-sensitive tasks before you leave, and create a manageable list of priorities for when you return. A little prep goes a long way. 📚 Download books or films For some well-deserved downtime, download those books or films you’ve been meaning to enjoy. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into your interests without distractions. 👨👩👧👦 Quality time with loved ones Whether it's cooking a meal together, taking a walk, or just chatting, invest in moments with the people who matter most. Disconnecting from work means you can reconnect with them. 🧘♀️ Focus on you It’s a time of year where many of us are focusing on others, which is great but also use this time for self-care. Do something just for yourself, without obligations. Whether it’s a hobby, a workout, a bubble bath or some quiet time, take a break from the demands of others. 🗣️ Set clear expectations with your team Let your colleagues know exactly when you'll be back and what they should do in your absence. Clear communication helps everyone stay on track. ⛔ Create a "no work zone" Make your time off special by establishing a work-free zone at home – or wherever you are. Put away the laptop, hide the work emails, and create space for relaxation. ☺️ Do a digital detox Take a break from social media and the constant stream of information. It’s refreshing to disconnect from the digital world and be more present in the moment. 🏄 Try something new Use the time to explore something outside your usual routine. A new hobby, a day trip, or even a simple change of scenery can bring unexpected joy and relaxation. 🫖 Enjoy simple pleasures Experience things that make you feel at ease. Whether it’s sipping your favourite tea, soaking in nature, or simply being still, these little moments can make your time off truly special. Remember, true time off isn’t just about stepping away from work – it’s about recharging, reconnecting, and finding balance… Now why are you still reading this?! Off you go - enjoy it! 🏃♂️➡️

🎄 #CommsCountdown: Best comms and marketing books of 2024 🌲 As we wrap up our #CommsCountdown advent calendar post series, we asked our Voxies and clients what they've loved reading this year and here's the final list of the books, published in 2024, that we found inspiring and thought-provoking: 📚 Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg Delves into the art of effective communication, providing strategies to inspire teams and engage audiences more profoundly. 📚 Internal Communications Strategy by Rachel Miller A practical guide to developing and implementing internal communication strategies that resonate with employees and improve organisational cohesion. 📚 Say It Well by Terry Szuplat Offers techniques to master storytelling, to help you ensure that every speech or presentation leaves a memorable impact. 📚 Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Examines the challenges faced by today's youth and provides insights for leaders to effectively connect with and support the younger generation. 📚 Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk Master the art of capturing attention in real-time through dynamic, authentic marketing strategies. 📚 Very Good Copy by 🇺🇦 Eddie Shleyner A must-read for copywriters, this book offers 207 micro-lessons on crafting copy that converts, focusing on emotional triggers and storytelling to drive action. 📚 The Power of Instinct: The New Rules of Persuasion in Business and Life by Leslie Zane This book delves into how subconscious associations influence decision-making, providing a science-backed approach to understanding consumer behaviour and improving marketing strategies. 📚 Rethinking Happiness: And the Beliefs That Guide You by Peter Teuscher A thought-provoking exploration of how our beliefs influence happiness and decision-making, offering insights applicable to both personal and professional realms. 📚 Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You by Tessa West This book offers valuable insights into workplace dynamics and personal fulfillment, which can be beneficial for internal comms professionals seeking to improve their work environment and productivity. Is there a must-read we should add to the list? Drop your favourites in the comments, we’d love to hear your recommendations! 

🎄#CommsCountdown: 5 ways Internal Communication can help create connection in flexible workplaces🎄 The workplace of 2025 is hybrid, fluid, and dynamic. But with flexibility comes the need for stronger connections. Internal Communicators play a key role in encouraging collaboration and building belonging in this evolving environment: 1️⃣ Streamline digital tools Work cross-functionally to help build out a tool stack that works for your team. This may help centralise messaging, tasks, and updates, ensuring everyone is informed and included, no matter where they work. 2️⃣ Humanise remote interactions Encourage teams to add personal touches to virtual meetings and emails with genuine appreciation, storytelling, and moments of humour to bridge the gap. 3️⃣ Celebrate wins, big and small Help leaders across all functions to spotlight achievements in order to remind everyone they’re part of something bigger. 4️⃣ Facilitate feedback loops Work with people teams and leaders to enable open, two-way communication channels that empower employees to share insights and feel heard, building trust and alignment. 5️⃣ Create purposeful moments Strategically plan in-person meetups or virtual celebrations to deepen bonds, build relationships, and maintain a strong company culture. Communication creates meaning, trust, and belonging in the workplace, helping everyone feel connected. What’s worked for your team in hybrid environments? Share below!👇

🎄 #CommsCountdown: Top female speakers in the “future of work” space 🎄 Looking for a speaker to inspire your team or include in your #futureofwork event in 2025? Look no further: these women are leading the conversation on how work will evolve in the coming years. Their expertise spans leadership, tech, remote work, and employee well-being. Here's a shout-out to some of the voices shaping the space. 🎤 Heather E. McGowan– A futurist and author, Heather's work focuses on how organisations can thrive in the age of automation and artificial intelligence. She’s known for her vision of a workforce that thrives on continuous learning. 🎤 Dr Catriona Wallace– Dr. Wallace is a leading authority on artificial intelligence ethics and its implications for the future workforce. 🎤 Nadia Vatalidis (she/her/hers)– A champion of remote-first work and values-driven leadership, Nadia is passionate about building self-enabled cultures and unlocking global potential for people and businesses worldwide. 🎤 Tracey Follows– As a futurist, Tracey focuses on the impact of technology and AI on identity and society, helping organisations prepare for the workforce of tomorrow. 🎤 Rowena (Ro) Hennigan– Founder of RoRemote with a passion for remote work’s socioeconomic impact, global mobility, and the importance of wellbeing in flexible work practices. 🎤 Josephine (Jo) Eyre– Helps future of work innovators communicate with impact and speaks on the potential for immersive technology to create belonging and connection in virtual workplaces 🎤 Dr. Ayesha Khanna– Helps organisations harness the power of AI to unlock their data's potential. A passionate advocate for women in tech and founder of a charity teaching coding and AI skills. 🎤 Rita McGrath– A strategy expert at Columbia Business School, Rita shares how businesses must innovate and adapt to future disruptions in the workforce, focusing on agile leadership and strategic foresight. 🎤 Sophie Wade– Sophie, a workplace futurist, is all about adapting to the flexible, tech-driven world of work, with a focus on leadership and work-life integration. 🎤 Tsedal Neeley– A professor at Harvard Business School, Tsedal explores the dynamics of global teams and how digital tools and remote work are reshaping collaboration and leadership. These women are not only inspiring us today but also helping shape the future of work for generations to come. Follow their work to gain valuable insights! 🌟

🎄#CommsCountdown: Upskilling and future-proofing your communications career in 2025🎄 Work is evolving fast, and upskilling is key to staying relevant. Here are some trends shaping how we’ll grow: 1️⃣ AI-Driven learning experiences Personalised learning will transform how comms professionals upskill. AI will match individuals with the right resources, tools, and courses tailored to their needs. Learning Pool leads with AI-powered solutions that identify learning gaps. 2️⃣ Skills-based talent management Platforms like TestGorilla are reshaping career advancement by assessing and showcasing specific skills, making your expertise in areas like storytelling or media relations more visible. 3️⃣ Hybrid learning models Hybrid learning, like Coursera’s, combines online courses and in-person workshops, allowing comms pros to upskill in areas like digital strategy or crisis communications at their own pace. 4️⃣ Focus on emotional intelligence As tech automates tasks, emotional intelligence will set comms professionals apart. TalentSmartEQ helps professionals enhance empathy, communication, and collaboration skills for high-pressure environments. 5️⃣ Immersive learning Platforms like STRIVR use virtual and augmented reality to simulate real-world scenarios, allowing comms professionals to practise complex tasks like media pitching or crisis management. 6️⃣ Integration of learning with your work Upskilling will become part of your daily routine. EdCast by Cornerstone integrates learning directly into your workflow, helping refine internal comms or content strategies without stepping away from your projects. 7️⃣ Social and collaborative learning Learn Amp | B Corp™ encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration, helping comms teams learn from peers while mastering new PR tools and strategies. 8️⃣ Knowledge management and curation Tools like Confluence by Atlassian streamline access to organised resources, making it easier for comms professionals to find what they need for campaign planning or reporting. 9️⃣ Employee empowerment & self-directed learning LinkedIn for Learning empowers you to control your growth with tailored courses, allowing you to upskill in areas like analytics or influencer engagement at your own pace. 🔟 Employee-generated content Platforms like GaggleAMP let employees create and share content, positioning you as a thought leader while helping others learn and grow. What skills are you focusing on for 2025? Let us know in the comments!

🎄 Today's #CommsCountdown is here! A holiday jargon translator to help you survive the festive frenzy. 🌃 Silent Night = That rare evening when no urgent emails arrive. 😏 Naughty or Nice List = Media contacts who actually respond vs. those who ghost. 🛎️ Jingle All the Way = Adding unnecessary sound effects to a video because someone important insists. 🌠 Deck the Halls = Revise the pitch deck (again). 🧝♀️ Elf on the Shelf = Junior team member keeping an eye on the client's Slack channel. 🎁 Wrapping Presents = Prepping last-minute deliverables in Canva at 11 PM. ☕ Holiday Spirit = The energy boost after the fourth coffee during Q4 madness. ☃️ Frosty the Snowman = That one stakeholder who’s always cold to fun ideas. 🌨️ Let It Snow = Time to flood the feed with festive-themed posts! 🔨 Santa’s Workshop = The chaotic scramble to meet deadlines before PTO begins. 😇 Joy to the World = A campaign finally goes viral - intentionally! 👩❤️💋👨 Under the Mistletoe = When Sales and Marketing align perfectly (rare but magical). #CommsLife #HolidayHumor #AgencyLife

🎄#CommsCountdown Day 10: Scaling your story: PR tips for tech founders🎄 Join us for a chat about the tricky balance between building your personal brand and your company’s. We’ll cover tips on media engagement, timing, and really understanding your audience. It’s all about sharing ideas to help you show up authentically and get your message across.

🎄#CommsCountdown Day 9: 2025 Awards to watch out for in the communications industry🎄 As we gear up for an exciting new year, it's time to start thinking about how we can showcase our hard work and dedication. Whether you're a communications professional, marketer, or PR expert, awards can be a powerful way to elevate your team's efforts and build recognition within the industry. Here are opportunities you could consider signing up for: 🥇 NYX Awards: Recognising innovative PR and communications campaigns that challenge conventions and set new industry standards. Nominations due: January 8, 2025 Announcement date: May 9, 2025 🥇 PRmoment Awards: Celebrating PR excellence in the UK across categories like B2B campaigns, media relations, and internal communications. Nominations due: January 10, 2025  Announcement date: March 27, 2025 🥇 IoIC Awards: Identifies and celebrates outstanding internal communication work by organisations, individuals, and teams. Nominations due: TBA  Announcement date: TBA 🥇 African SABRE Awards: The SABRE Awards are all about engagement, credibility, and relationship building. Early deadline: November 20, 2024 Announcement date: TBA 🥇 PR Daily Social Media & Digital Awards: Recognising exceptional digital and social media campaigns across industries. Nominations due: January 24, 2025 Announcement date: TBA 🥇 PRWeek Global Awards: The gold standard for PR excellence, honouring outstanding work across regions and disciplines. Nominations due: January 30, 2025  Announcement date: May 15, 2025 🥇 PRSA Anvil Awards: Recognising top PR work in North America, with categories for tactics, campaigns, and lifetime achievement. Nominations due: January 30, 2025  Announcement date: May 15, 2025  🥇 PRISM Awards: Presented to public relations and communication professionals who have successfully incorporated strategy, creativity and professionalism in their strategies. Nominations due: TBA  Announcement date: TBA 🥇 APEX Awards: Celebrating excellence in various communication areas, from corporate reputation to employee engagement. Nominations due: February 28, 2025  Announcement date: TBA 🥇 Cannes Lions Awards: The pinnacle of creative achievement, recognising excellence in marketing and communications across 30 categories. Nominations due: March 6, 2025  Announcement date: June 16, 2025 🥇 AME Awards: Honouring campaigns that deliver real business impact through creativity and measurable results. Nominations due: June 15, 2025  Announcement date: TBA 🥇 PRovoke Media 2024 Agency Rankings & Research: Offers an in-depth analysis of the global PR industry, highlighting top-performing agencies, creative achievements, and trends across various categories Nominations due: TBA Announcement date: TBA Let’s make 2025 the year we take our communication strategies to the next level! 🚀

🎄#CommsCountdown Day 8: An employers’ guide to reboarding🎄 Returning to the world of work after parental leave can often come with mixed emotions. Without correct support structures in place many women leave their organisations soon after returning from maternity leave. Want to dive deeper into creating a supportive reboarding process? Access our full guide in the comments below!👇