How Microsoft is Transforming Employee Communications and Engagement

The Microsoft 365 Community Conference brings together experts, community members, customers, and Microsoft employees to learn about the latest innovations, share best practices and hear product updates. At the 2024 Microsoft 365 Community Conference, John Cirone, head of employee communications for Microsoft, shared insights into how Microsoft is revolutionizing its approach to communications and employee engagement. If you missed the session and are interested in hearing how some of John’s insights can be applied to your organization, read on for highlights and make sure to view the full session.  

Global Employee and Executive Communications Community – AKA GEEC  

The "Customer Zero" approach involves Microsoft first implementing and testing new communication strategies and tools internally with a specific and strategic set of communicators. John leads the Global Employee & Executive Communications (GEEC) community which includes over 1,000 communicators globally. This diverse group collaborates to share insights, strategies, and best practices, creating a center of excellence within Microsoft and ensuring a unified and effective communication approach across the organization—It's this ability to scale communications strategies across such a diverse community, that provides an invaluable source of feedback for the product team to better understand the needs of communicators and how Microsoft can create great products that foster and support leader and employee engagement.   

Data-Driven decision making based on employee feedback  

Using data from employee surveys and listening systems help inform both strategic and tactical decisions is a cornerstone of Microsoft's communications approach. By analyzing data, communicators can make more informed decisions that lead to better outcomes and more effective engagement strategies. 

“When you look at the journey, we have been on of transforming our own communications systems, it really is that data – and the importance of leaders and managers driving change that we have leaned into over the last few years.” 

Microsoft has built a robust employee listening system which is a combination of traditional HR tools and surveys alongside ambient channels. The combination of these systems enables GEEC to measure sentiment and two-way dialogue and map it to important moments.

“ What’s important in having a two-way dialogue is listening. You can't have dialogue without listening to what your employees are thinking and trying to respond to them at scale.”

Through data GEEC can encourage a culture where feedback is welcomed and valued to further enhance employee engagement.

Evolution of Communication Tools

Microsoft's communicators lead with a growth mindset, which means they are always open to learning and improving. This was a critical component to shifting the way communicators operate within Microsoft and essential to transforming company culture.

Microsoft has continuously evolved its communication approach and tools over the years. The integration of new technologies like Microsoft Viva and Copilot has been instrumental in enhancing employee engagement and streamlining communication processes. Our communicators are encouraged to test new tools and capabilities and share best practices.

“You can’t make the shift overnight – moving from an email-based world into a world that embraces two-way dialogue without a lot of intentionality behind your choices”

For more detailed insights and to watch the full presentation, you can view the recording here.