7 Steps to Successful Industrial Communication

03 October 2024

In the industrial sector, we distinguish between 3, or sometimes 4, types of communication: operational, institutional, safety, and the most recent addition: CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) communication.

These four types of communication are the lifeblood of industrial teams, addressing different yet crucial issues such as uniting and engaging teams, improving a sense of belonging, and empowering operators. They are the threads that weave your team into a cohesive unit, working towards a common goal.

The 4 types of communication in the industrial sector

Operational Communication

Closely tied to the digitalization of information, operational communication in the industrial sector is a key element for carrying out daily tasks and implementing operational processes within an industrial company. It's not just about data, it's about people. The collection, utilization, and sharing of data (ERP, SCADA, MES, IoT sensors) facilitate team coordination and problem-solving, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration.
Operational communication in the industry is your key to monitoring industrial performance, reducing downtime, and anticipating machine maintenance cycles. It fosters innovation and continuous improvement, giving you the confidence that your operations are running at their best.

QHSE Communication

Safety communication in an industrial site aims to protect the health and safety of operators. Proactive communication is essential to eliminate stoppage causes and, by extension, reduce workplace accidents. It’s crucial to raise awareness and remind operators daily of best practices, the importance of complying with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), running campaigns related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and allowing emergency alerts to be broadcast in the event of incidents. Workplace accidents and the subsequent production line stoppage are costly for the company.

Institutional Communication

Often overlooked in the past, institutional communication in the industrial sector is an excellent lever for improving the sense of belonging within teams that can quickly become disconnected from company culture and objectives. Operators rarely have access to traditional internal communication tools (email, intranet), and information transmitted through bulletin boards often loses effectiveness.

CSR Communication

CSR communication involves transparent and responsible communication about the company’s practices and commitments to sustainable development and social and environmental responsibility. Operators play a vital role in the production chain. Their involvement in the company’s CSR practices will make them more engaged and often more productive.

Whether it’s institutional, operational, safety-related, or CSR-related communication, a structured methodology is required to ensure its effectiveness.

The 7 Key Steps to Effective Communication in an Industrial Setting:

1) Define communication objectives

Understanding the objectives of your communication will guide you in developing a clear strategy: identifying the target audience, determining when to share information (team meetings, break times, etc.), the frequency of sharing, the sharing method (whiteboard, bulletin board, digital signage screen), and the most suitable format (videos, images, sound, etc.).

To maximize your communication strategy's success, involving employees is crucial. These objectives must be defined by or in collaboration with the departments or managers involved in creating and updating the information.

In this table, you'll find some examples of objectives that are part of digitalization and continuous improvement projects in the industrial sector. They are classified by type of communication and mention the departments or managers generally involved.

Type of communication	Objectives	Stakeholders
Institutional communication	Strengthen team spirit & company culture Inform staff about news related to the group and/or site Encourage internal promotions or referrals Share successes	Group/Site Management Internal Communications Manager Executive Assistant Human Resources Manager
Operational communication	Streamline communication between and within departments Empower operators Facilitate training and skill-building for temporary workers and/or new hires and assist production staff Optimize workflows	Industrial management Production manager/workshop supervisor Lean manager/Continuous improvement manager Method and optimization manager Logistics manager
QHSE communication	Ensure worker safety Remind safety rules and prevent risks related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Reduce workplace accidents and lost-time injuries Alert operators in case of incidents	Human Resources manager QHSE manager Production manager
CSR communication	Communicate about the CSR strategy Empower employees Share the ROI of the CSR strategy	General management CSR or sustainability department CSR manager Communications department Marketing department

2) Identify the target audience within the industrial site

Once objectives are set, it’s important to remember that in the industrial sector (as elsewhere), information is only helpful if it holds value for the recipient. Therefore, defining the audience receiving the information is crucial: is it an operator, a manager, or a visitor?

We can agree that employees don’t all have the exact needs and interests in a workshop or production site, depending on their roles and responsibilities. A manager’s information needs differ from those of an operator. Managers benefit from a broader view of plant operations and detailed data on production line status and performance, while operators require more specific information related to tasks on their line. Additionally, each individual's reading context and availability (sitting behind a computer vs. moving along a production line) should not be overlooked.

Ensure that the content on display is always up-to-date. Outdated information can lead to a loss of interest.

In an industrial context, during a team meeting or at AICs (Action, Information, Coordination), an easily updated whiteboard or interactive board can provide an overview, allowing for real-time feedback from the field.

However, digital signage is better suited for many other uses due to its seamless integration with business tools (ERP, MES, alarm systems, etc.). This allows you to easily broadcast real-time, up-to-date overviews of objectives, progress toward goals, and alerts when needed (production disruptions, safety concerns, etc.).

5) Choose the appropriate location for the display

Regardless of the communication mode and choice of medium, whether static or dynamic, selecting the right location is essential. Analyze the flow of people to make an informed decision.

Consider natural gathering points such as break areas, frequently used passageways, or team meeting spaces, where employees can easily access information. Don’t forget strategic areas where operational information can be consulted in real time for increased efficiency.

Digital signage screens automate information sharing but, more importantly, make it dynamic, attracting more attention.

6) Define the format and design the visuals

Choosing the right format and adapting it to the target audience will maximize the chances of achieving your communication objectives.

Use graphics, images, or videos to convey your messages. Visuals should be clear, impactful, and quickly understandable since workers have limited time to read information. Again, they must be adapted to the target audience and the reading context.

Design visuals tailored to the reading context: information for operators in motion must be highly concise and visible from a distance. More detailed content can be displayed in break areas or offices.

Optimize readability: Use large, easy-to-read fonts, avoid excessive text, and prioritize bullet points and color indicators to structure the information. Digital signage allows for simple animations and color changes to draw attention to critical information.

share this post :

Digital Signage

Guide to Dynamic Signage: Benefits and Uses

In a world where everyone’s attention is constantly being sought, dynamic signage offers a modern and effective solution to capture and engage your audience. With unmatched flexibility, responsiveness, and […]

Digital Signage

Digital signage for your Power BI reports to streamline operational monitoring.

In a world where every decision is data-driven and constant adjustments are essential, what could be more critical than access to the right information? With the integration […]

White Paper

White Paper : Empowering Employees to Make the World Greener

How to leverage your company’s digital displays to reduce Energy Consumption and grow Sustainability To reduce their energy consumption and their carbon footprint, corporations usually: Invest in […]

7 Steps to Successful Industrial Communication

The 4 types of communication in the industrial sector

Operational Communication

QHSE Communication

Institutional Communication

CSR Communication

1) Define communication objectives

2) Identify the target audience within the industrial site

3) Determine the level of importance and urgency

4) Update the content and broadcast it at the right time

5) Choose the appropriate location for the display

6) Define the format and design the visuals

7) Measure the impact and make adjustments

A practical example of communication in the industry: Dirickx case study