Debate extended from employer branding to use of enterprise social networks and from reaching different age groups to developing strategy. What did the experts have to say?

Steve Doswell, chief executive, Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC)

I thought the event was as strong as it’s ever been. From Elizabeth Marsh’s opener, exploring the digital workplace, and Dean van Leeuwen’s highly entertaining canter through the experiences that shaped the outlook of each working generation, to Saskia Jones’s impressive testament to what it takes to become a trusted advisor, IoIC Live gave the hundred or so delegates who joined us a real feast of insights. IoIC adopted three broad themes to explore via our research and event activities this year – agility, collaboration and trust. Presenters and delegates alike constantly referred to these themes throughout the conference. Speakers were agile in the way they explored ‘Agile IC’ from a variety of angles. There was plenty of collaboration around delegates’ tables, and we trusted everyone to come back after lunch, despite the lure of Brighton beach and a blue sky – and they did!

Dean van Leeuwen, co-founder, TomorrowToday

“Psychologists say your values system is largely in place by the age of 12. Teenagers then challenge those values, but by our 20s we take our values system with us as a road map to live our lives by.”

Greg Stewart, internal communications manager, Tesco

“The problem with the intranet is that our staff doesn’t sit in front of a computer all day like in other organisations.”

“If you really want to engage your staff, you need to understand them.”

Will Foy, senior IC partner, Imperial Tobacco

“I stressed that it was fine to think social and not strategy. If people wanted to post pictures of their cat or their dinner that was fine because they were learning to use the system.”

“It was also made clear that to participate in the conference, ask questions or make comments, you would have to use Yammer.”

Saskia Jones, head of internal communications, Oxfam GB

“During times of change it is what leaders say and do that makes the most difference.”

“Becoming a trusted advisor doesn’t happen overnight.”

“I really believe that you should let those controversial questions come out.”

Anne-Marie Imafidon, global community manager and business analyst, Deutsche Bank

“There were some who were really resistant to the idea of the social platform.”

“If you are a slow adaptor it’s quite often because you haven’t twigged, ‘What’s in it for me?’”

Angela Ashenden, principal analyst, MWD Advisors

“It is very difficult to get people to change their behaviour unless you can find a good reason for them to do so.”

“Social collaboration is about cultural change, not just introducing technology, and that takes time.”

“You’ve got to think about what specific goals you’re going to achieve.”

“You are trying to get people to change their behaviour and be more collaborative, not just use the social platform.”

“Don’t leave measurement of success until the platform is already deployed, the earlier you can start the better.”

The 2015 IoIC Awards takes place on 25 September in London. The shortlist of agencies, organisations and companies to be honoured in the autumn will be announced by
mid-July.