Masters of Comms

Why do so many digital workplace projects struggle to gain traction with frontline employees? Is the problem really the technology... or is it the assumptions behind the design?

In this episode of Masters of Comms, we sit down with Suzie Robinson, Consultant and Analyst at ClearBox Consulting, to explore one of the biggest blind spots in internal communications: the frontline experience. Drawing on her own experience as a frontline employee and years of advising organizations on digital workplace strategy, Suzie explains why so many communication initiatives are designed around assumptions rather than reality.

From mobile-first myths and adoption challenges to the hidden costs of overlooking frontline workers during digital workplace projects, Suzie shares what happens when organizations fail to understand how people actually work and what communication leaders can do differently.

This episode will give you practical ideas to build digital experiences that work for everyone, not just the people behind a desk.

Suzie advised us to read "Black Box Thinking" by Matthew Syed.

Why do so many internal communications strategies create more noise than clarity? Is the problem really a lack of channels? Or a lack of purpose behind them?

In this episode of Masters of Comms, we sit down with Collin Noronha, Head of Regional Practices in Internal Communications at Amdocs, to unpack why "everything, everywhere, all at once" is not a strategy, and how many organizations end up automating chaos instead of creating clarity.

Tune in to find out more!

Why do so many companies say their frontline is disengaged, when the real issue might be the way they communicate? In this episode of Masters of Comms, we sit down with Pinaki Kathiari, CEO of Local Wisdom, to unpack why internal comms adoption does not fail because of the platform, but because too many organizations still rely on an old broadcast mindset.

From meeting employees where they are to building real participation beyond likes and comments, Pinaki explores what it takes to create communication that feels relevant, human, and useful for frontline teams. He shares practical examples of how stronger community, better listening, and small changes in approach can improve trust, belonging, and adoption.

Whether you’re a communication director or a C-level leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you move from pushing messages to creating communication people actually want to engage with.

Pinaki advised us to read "Don't Believe Everything You Think" by Joseph Nguyen.

Lamar advised us to read "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek.

How do you turn a reward program into a culture-building tool? In this episode of Masters of Comms, Rochelle Oakley, Internal Comms, Culture & Engagement Partner at Beazley, shares how her team successfully rolled out a shared incentive plan, boosting participation, recognition, and trust across a global workforce.

From tailoring communications for different cultural contexts to ensuring leadership buy-in and meaningful non-monetary rewards, Rochelle gives us all her tips and tricks.

Whether you're building a culture of recognition or launching a new incentive program, this episode is packed with real-life tactics and global insights you can use right away.

Rochelle advised us to read "Successful Employee Communication: A Practitioner's Guide to Tools, Models and Best Practice for Internal Communication" by Sue Dewhurst & Liam Fitzpatrick.

Are you ready to level up your internal communications? Masters of Comms is pleased to welcome Pravin Patil, VP-Corp Comm & Head-IC at Axis Bank. In this epsisode we dive into understanding the 3 key pillars for successful internal comms and how to best align them for superior results.

Join us as Pravin reveals how when branding, content & technology join forces, internal communications shine bright.

Pravin advised us to read "Ikigai: Japanese Art of staying Young.. While growing Old" by Keira Miki.

Most internal comms teams have a tough enough job aligning employees. But what if the people wearing your brand don’t actually work for you? In this episode of Masters of Comms, we sit down with Stacie Barrett, Director of Internal Communications at Domino’s, to unpack how the global pizza giant keeps franchisees, frontline workers, and corporate teams aligned—even through massive transformations. It's the perfect episode to learn how to cut through the noise and drive real engagement.

Stacie advised us to read "How the word is passed" by Clint Smith.

What is culture, really? Is it something you can define, or does it live in the unseen moments of our teams? In this episode of Masters of Comms, we sit down with Shane Hatton—global author, leadership coach, and culture expert—to dive into the heart of workplace culture.

From navigating the “Leadership Dilemma” to creating “team memes” that stick, Shane unpacks the conversations every leader needs to celebrate what matters and challenge what doesn’t. Discover how to make culture explicit, align your teams, and design a workplace where people truly belong.

Shane advised us to read The Moment of Lift, by Melinda Gates.

00:00 Welcome to Masters of Comms

00:37 Meet Shane Hatton

01:39 Defining Culture

04:27 Challenges in Building Culture

07:43 The Importance of Explicit Culture

09:46 Conversations to Foster Engagement

13:55 Using Language to Shape Culture

21:54 Measuring and Tracking Culture

24:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

27:50 Conclusion and Farewell

Have you been procrastinating making your internal communication more inclusive? Not anymore.

Masters of Comms is pleased to welcome Aniisu Verghese, founder of Intraskope. In this episode, we dive into what it means to have inclusive internal communication, why it is so important in the post-pandemic workplace, and how to make employees' voices heard in your organization. Join us to uncover practical steps to create an inclusive internal communication strategy.

Aniisu advised us to read "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace" by Ron Friedman, PhD.

00:00 Welcome to Masters of Comms

00:45 Meet Aniisu Verghese, Founder of Intraskope

02:02 Understanding Inclusivity in Internal Communications

04:44 The Importance of Inclusivity Post-Pandemic

06:30 Challenges in Implementing Inclusive Communications

08:15 Real-World Example: Tesco's Inclusive Storytelling

10:36 Measuring Success in Inclusive Communications

11:43 Top Recommendations for Inclusive Internal Comms

12:49 Aniisu's Books on Communication

14:27 Aniisu's Book Recommendation

15:20 Conclusion

Join us for a riveting episode of Masters of Comms featuring Diana Macovei from Takeda, where we delve into the nuanced world of employer branding. Explore how Takeda has mastered the art of fostering a vibrant workplace culture that not only attracts but also retains top talent on a global scale. From aligning internal stakeholder visions to effective storytelling that resonates worldwide, uncover the strategies that position Takeda as a top destination for pharmaceutical professionals. Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies that will help you transform your workplace into an environment where employees are empowered to succeed and thrive.

Diana advised us to read "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg.

Are you struggling to determine who is responsible for internal communication? Master of Comms is pleased to welcome Nandini Chatterjee, ex-CMO of 21 years at PwC, India. In this episode, we dive into which departments are responsible for which parts of internal communications and understand how best they can work collaboritively.

Join us as we finally reveal the secret answer to "who is responsible for internal communication" and help you elevate your internal communications in the process.

Nandini recommends us to read Booming Digital Brands, written by Harsh Pamanani.