Internal Comms Checklist Every Manager Should Use

Managers play a critical role in executing corporate communications best practices effectively. But many are overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. That’s where a solid internal comms checklist comes in.

Start with the basics:

• ✨ What’s the goal of the message?

• ✉ Who needs to receive it?

• 📆 When should it be sent?

• 📄 What format should it take (email, meeting, Slack)?

• ⚠ Does it include any sensitive content that requires review?

By checking these boxes, managers ensure consistency and avoid communication dos and donts like overloading team members with irrelevant information or missing key stakeholders in a chain of emails.

An often-overlooked item is aligning messages with company-wide email communication standards. For example, using uniform subject lines like “[Project Update]” or “[Action Required]” can reduce email fatigue and enhance readability.

For further reference, explore Internal and External Communication Examples for Work.

Writing Policies That Employees Actually Read and Follow

Most organizations have communication policies, but very few have ones that employees actually read—let alone follow. To embed corporate communications best practices into your company culture, your writing policy examples need to be simple, actionable, and aligned with your brand tone.

Start with headers like “When to Use Email vs. Slack” and offer bulleted dos and don’ts. For example:

• ✓ Use Slack for quick, informal questions

• ✗ Don’t use Slack for task assignments with deadlines

Your policy should also integrate messaging consistency tips. Clarify tone expectations, such as using “we” instead of “I” in company-wide memos or avoiding excessive jargon.

Additionally, email communication standards should not only mention technical tips but also explain why they matter: “Using clear subject lines helps recipients prioritize messages quickly.”

For more guidance on aligning communication policies with company growth, visit Communication Corporate Essentials for Business Growth.

Setting Email Communication Standards That Boost Clarity

Email remains a dominant form of business communication, making it a prime area to apply corporate communications best practices. Unfortunately, it’s also the most misused.

Let’s start with subject lines. An email titled “Meeting” is useless. Instead, use: “[Team Check-In] 10 AM Thursday Agenda Attached.” This simple change boosts open rates and comprehension.

You should also define clear formatting standards:

• 🔍 Bullet key points

• 📆 Include deadlines in bold

• ✉ Always close with action items

These practices reduce back-and-forth and ensure team alignment. Communication dos and donts also apply: don’t CC the whole department if only two people need the info. And yes, ditch the sarcasm—tone doesn’t always translate well in text.

Internal comms checklist protocols can guide employees on when and how to escalate messages. Pair these with messaging consistency tips to ensure your brand voice shows up in every inbox.

Real-World Examples of Corporate Communications Best Practices in 2025

To wrap up, let’s see corporate communications best practices in action. Real companies are already leading the way in 2025.

Take a global IT firm that recently rolled out new writing policy examples in multiple languages. This helped local teams maintain brand voice without translation errors. The result? A 25% increase in internal engagement.

Or a retail chain that revamped their email communication standards by creating a style guide and automated templates. They reported faster responses and fewer misunderstandings.

Another case is a healthcare startup that built communication dos and donts into their onboarding checklist. New hires felt confident navigating channels from day one, which cut down manager supervision time by 40%.

Want a custom communication strategy for your team? Contact Us | CorporateEnglish.biz.