Stories are incredibly powerful tools. They influence, inspire and move people. They can change behaviour and get people thinking.

But, in an organisation, sourcing stories is sometimes easier said than done – especially when the sources you’re relying on don’t really know what makes a story.

There are a few steps you can take to help you track down the best stories in your organisation.

Build solid relationships

As an internal communicator, you need to build strong relationships at every level of your organisation. From the cleaner or the graduate, to the senior manager or the CEO, you need to make it your business to get to know the business – and the people within it. By making friends in every department, you’ll always have a steady stream of information and tip-offs about what’s going on.

Network

If there are any events going on in your business – from a huge conference to a tiny bake sale – an internal communicator should pop along. By having everyday conversations with as many people as possible, stories worth sharing are bound to crop up.

Engage line managers

When it comes to sharing stories of brilliant colleagues, it’s unlikely that anyone will get in touch with the IC department to share a story about something great they’ve done. Their line manager is far more likely to contact an internal communicator to lavish some praise – so make sure you get them on board.

Leadership stories

CEOs and senior leaders often have a lot to say – but their messages can be dry, business-focused and top-down. Consider another way: humanise your leadership team and present them as individuals. Encourage them to be open and share information about the person behind the suit, such as the time they climbed a mountain, how they are embracing the company values in everyday life, or the story of how they got to where they are.

Be nosy – scout social channels and notice boards

Enterprise Social Networks (Teams, Workplace etc.) can be a great way of sourcing stories. You might feel a bit nosy scouting through online conversations, but it can be a source of gold when it comes to finding interesting tales worth sharing. The same goes for noticeboards; keep your eyes peeled and you could find a gem. 

Identify champions

Setting up a network of champions can be a productive way of sourcing stories. Identify story champions at each site or in each department and ask them to keep their ear to the ground and to let you know if they hear of anything interesting going on in their area.

Bring dry content to life 

You’ll lose count of the number of times you’re given reams of facts and piles of reports that need sharing with the workforce. Instead of churning out another corporate message, consider turning the information into a story. Look for a colleague who can tell the story from the bottom up and who can offer a fresh, real perspective that makes it worth reading. Alternatively, turn the facts into an infographic that colleagues will want to share on your enterprise social network.

Keep an eye on the news

National news stories about your industry or company can be a good source of inspiration for internal communicators. You might just like to share a story that colleagues might find interesting, or you could gather a series of views on a hot topic and share the vox pops around the business. Just remember – with this kind of story, timing is everything, so act quickly before it’s old news.