In this article, we explore why taking ownership of your internal communications technology strategy could be the power move comms professionals need – and why now is the perfect time to seize control before you find yourself in a narrative where technology decisions are happening to you, not for you.
The line between traditional business roles and technological expertise is becoming increasingly blurred.
This shift is particularly true for internal communicators, whose role now extends far beyond crafting and delivering messages. Today, they must also manage and influence the internal communications technology strategy to truly meet the demands of their organizations, or risk losing control of the narrative entirely.
For Chief Information Officers (CIOs), this shift is particularly significant as they increasingly push for shared leadership in technology across departments. For internal communicators, taking ownership of the internal communications technology strategy isn’t just necessary – it’s a powerful way to ascend into strategic leadership and avoid that Black Mirror moment where decisions are made for you, not by you.
By actively shaping the technology strategy in their department, internal communicators can enhance their credibility, streamline processes, leverage data for smarter decision-making, future-proof their careers, and unlock exciting new opportunities for advancement.
CIOs are pushing for shared tech ownership – are you ready to claim your piece?
Here’s a reality check: a recent Gartner survey shows that 46% of CIOs are now moving toward co-owning digital leadership within their organizations. Think about that for a second. Almost half of tech leaders are actively looking for partners across the business.
The report highlights something crucial – CIOs who share responsibility with their peers, placing the design and management of digital capabilities in the hands of those closest to where value is created, are simply more successful in maximizing their digital investments.
What does this mean for you as an internal communicator? It’s an open invitation to step up. To remain relevant and effective, you’ve got to take ownership of your internal communications technology strategy. By collaborating with IT rather than just submitting tickets and hope, you ensure your specific needs are met while aligning with broader organizational goals.
This isn’t just about improving how your department performs – it’s your opportunity to become a digital transformation driver. Are you ready to grab it?
How ownership of the internal communications technology strategy boosts your credibility
When you take responsibility for your internal communications technology strategy, something magical happens to your professional reputation. Understanding the tools, platforms, and systems that power your communications transforms you from “the message person” to a strategic partner who’s driving digital growth.
Think about it – what happens when you can confidently talk tech in leadership meetings? When you can lead decisions about communication platforms rather than just accepting what you’re given? You immediately position yourself as a forward-thinking leader.
You become the go-to person for critical initiatives like employee engagement, culture transformation, and crisis communications. Rather than being seen as “just” a communicator, you become an influential stakeholder who shapes both the message and the medium. And isn’t that the seat at the table you’ve been working toward?
Improving communication efficiency with the right technology (that YOU choose)
Have you ever been stuck with a communication tool that makes your job harder, not easier? When you own your technology strategy, that frustration disappears. You get to implement tools and platforms that actually streamline your processes instead of complicating them.
Take low-code intranets, for example. They’re a game-changer for non-technical communicators who want to take control without needing to become coding experts overnight. Imagine having an intuitive content management system (CMS) with AI-assisted writing and seamless integrations with your other business tools – all selected by you because they fit your specific needs.
What could you do with all the time you’d save from not manually posting the same content across multiple platforms? Or from struggling with clunky systems that weren’t designed with communicators in mind?
When you drive your tech strategy, you’re not just improving your team’s efficiency – you’re enhancing the entire organization’s communication flow. Your colleagues get timely, well-delivered messages, and you get to focus on strategy instead of fighting with tech.
Leveraging data for smarter decision making (and proving your worth)
Let’s face it, gut feelings don’t impress the C-suite anymore. Data does. And when you take ownership of your technology strategy, you gain access to powerful analytics that can transform how you work and how you’re perceived.
Instead of saying “I think our benefits announcement went well,” you can confidently state “Our benefits announcement saw 87% readership, with 40% of employees accessing it via mobile, and the average reading time was 3.5 minutes – 15% higher than our previous major announcements.”
Which version of you has more influence in the next budget meeting?
With the right tech stack – one that you’ve chosen strategically – you can see which content types resonate most with employees, which channels drive the highest engagement, and where there might be communication gaps you need to address.
This isn’t just about making your communications better (though it certainly does that). It’s about demonstrating your strategic value through measurable results that tie directly to business success. When you bring data-backed insights to leadership conversations, you’re speaking the language that gets attention and builds your reputation as an indispensable business partner.
Future-proofing your career in a digital-first world
The workplace is changing at warp speed. Are your skills keeping pace?
By taking ownership of your internal communications technology strategy, you’re not just improving your current performance. You’re also investing in your future marketability. Digital transformation is reshaping every industry, and communicators who understand technology aren’t just preferred candidates – they’re essential ones.
When you proactively learn about emerging platforms, explore AI communication tools, and master data analytics, you’re building skills that will keep you relevant no matter how the communication landscape evolves. You become adaptable in a way that technology-resistant communicators simply can’t match.
Think about where internal communication was five years ago compared to today. Now imagine the changes we’ll see in the next five years. By positioning yourself at the intersection of communication and technology now, you’re preparing to lead rather than scramble to catch up when the next big shift happens.
Unlocking career advancement opportunities (hello, promotion!)
Want to move up? Tech savvy is your secret weapon.
When you embrace technology leadership, you open doors to roles that simply didn’t exist a few years ago. Digital communications manager. Employee experience technology lead. Internal platforms strategist. These hybrid positions that blend communication expertise with technical knowledge are increasingly valuable, and they typically come with higher visibility, greater influence, and yes, better compensation.
By taking ownership of your department’s technology strategy, you naturally position yourself to lead cross-functional projects. You become the bridge between communications and IT, making you invaluable in digital transformation initiatives. This increased visibility puts you on leadership’s radar in a whole new way.
Don’t be surprised when you find yourself being considered for opportunities that previously might have gone to someone else. When you demonstrate that you understand both the human and technical sides of modern communication, you become a rare and valuable talent – one worth promoting.
Final thoughts: Seize control or risk becoming the cautionary tale
Being “just” a great communicator isn’t enough anymore. To truly thrive, you need to step beyond traditional boundaries and claim ownership of your internal communications technology strategy.
Unlike those helpless Black Mirror protagonists watching technology control their fate, you have the opportunity to write your own story. By enhancing your credibility as a strategic partner, streamlining communication processes with tools you select, making data-driven decisions that impress leadership, and future-proofing your skill set, you position yourself for success in our increasingly digital world.
With CIOs actively seeking partners across departments, there’s never been a better time to step up and embrace technology leadership. Taking control of your internal communications technology strategy isn’t just about making your current job easier – though it certainly does that – it’s about securing your future as an indispensable leader in the digital age.
So what’s it going to be? Will you take control of your technological destiny, or let someone else write your Black Mirror episode? The choice, for now at least, is yours.
Main image by Freepik.
