Its Simple Not Easy!

Edition 8- What it takes to design simple internal employee campaigns.

Welcome to Edition #008 of People Please! My goal with this newsletter is to help 100,000 professionals shift from "people pleasers" to culture-builders.

I’ve been writing extensively about internal campaign design strategies—covering the do’s, don’ts, and everything in between. If you’re looking to enhance employee experience in your organisation, I encourage you to explore the last few editions of People Please.

In this edition, I dive into the 5th pillar of internal campaign design, while the first four pillars are detailed in the previous editions.

It's Simple but Not Easy – The Reality of Internal Communication

Simple things require less thinking, but they often demand more doing—and doing is where most stumble. Effective internal communication sounds simple—share clear messages, be transparent, and keep everyone informed. Yet, many organisations struggle to get it right consistently.

Here’s why:

1. Clarity vs. Complexity

Simple: The goal of internal communication is clear—deliver timely, honest, and relevant information.
✅ Example: Keeping employees aligned is simple—regularly update them on company goals and changes.

Not Easy: Crafting messages that are clear, consistent, and meaningful to diverse audiences takes effort.
❌ Why it’s not easy: Different teams interpret messages in unique ways, and cutting through information overload while maintaining transparency is a constant challenge.

2. Knowledge vs. Action

Simple: Leaders know that good communication requires listening, engaging, and providing two-way feedback.
✅ Example: Creating an open culture is simple—invite questions, acknowledge concerns, and provide clear answers.

Not Easy: Turning this knowledge into daily practice requires time, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to address uncomfortable truths.
❌ Why it’s not easy: Many organisations prioritise efficiency over dialogue, and busy leaders often default to one-way communication, leaving employees feeling unheard.

3. Concept vs. Commitment

Simple: People want to feel informed, valued, and connected to the company’s mission.
✅ Example: Building trust is simple—share both successes and setbacks openly.

Not Easy: Maintaining this trust means consistently communicating—not just during good times but also when the message is tough.
❌ Why it’s not easy: When faced with uncertainty, there’s a tendency to hold back information, which can breed rumours and erode trust.

The formula for effective internal communication is simple—be clear, be consistent, and be human. But it’s not easy because it demands ongoing effort, vulnerability, and a commitment to listen as much as you speak. Real communication isn’t just about sending messages—it’s about creating connection and building trust, every single day.

"Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity." – Nat Turner

Many companies excel at crafting powerful slogans and campaigns for external audiences, yet struggle to do the same for their employees—their most valuable brand ambassadors.

While external messaging focuses on selling products or services, internal slogans must inspire, align with company values, and promote a sense of belonging.

The Formula for Employee Slogans That Work:

• Be Authentic: Reflect the real employee experience—don’t sugarcoat.

• Connect to Purpose: Link slogans to what drives employees—impact, growth, and meaning.

• Match Words to Action: Back slogans with policies and practices.

• Involve Employees: Co-create slogans through feedback to build trust and ownership.

• Keep It Simple & Timeless: Ensure it’s easy to remember but flexible enough to evolve.

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People Please Edition #3, #4, #5, and #6: The First Four Key Pillars

In these editions, I unveil the foundational pillars for internal campaign design addressing real-world workplace challenges—Sexual Harassment, Visionary Leadership, the Evolution of DEI, and Cultural Transformation. Each pillar offers a practical framework to tackle these complex issues head-on.

In this edition #8, I dive deep into Pillar 5️⃣ – Simplicity in Messaging: The Power of Slogans, exploring the philosophy behind crafting simple, impactful slogans for employees.

Historical Reference

📢 "No Taxation Without Representation." – American Revolution (1760s–1770s)
📢 "Votes for Women." Women’s Suffrage Movement (19th – 20th Century)
📢 "I Have a Dream." Civil Rights Movement (1963)
📢 "Yes We Can." Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign (2008)
📢 "#MeToo." Movement Against Workplace Harassment (2006, viral in 2017)
📢 "Love is Love." LGBTQ+ Rights Movement (2015, U.S. Court on same-sex marriage)
📢 "Black Lives Matter." Movement Against Racial Injustice (2013, gained global attention in 2020)

Not just the movements even iconic company slogans that are short and simple have been proven to be most powerful for business:

📢 "A Diamond is Forever." – De Beers (1947)
📢 "Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands." – M&M’s (1954)
📢 "Finger Lickin' Good." – KFC (1956)
📢 "Have a Break, Have a KitKat." – KitKat (1957)
📢 "Think Small." – Volkswagen (1959)
📢 "Because You're Worth It." – L'Oréal (1971)
📢 "The Ultimate Driving Machine." – BMW (1975)
📢 "Don't Leave Home Without It." – American Express (1975)
📢 "Just Do It." – Nike (1988)
📢 "Think Different." – Apple (1997)
📢 "Taste the Rainbow." – Skittles (1994)
📢 "I’m Lovin’ It." – McDonald’s (2003)
📢 "Impossible is Nothing." – Adidas (2004)
📢 "Open Happiness." – Coca-Cola (2009)

Workplace Internal Campaign Examples:
Effective internal campaigns need clear, concise messaging. Instead of complex policies, organisations must use compelling slogans that employees can rally behind.

Here are some example from Be.artsy’s impactful workplace campaigns:

1. “IT’s Not Okay.” – POSH and Bias Awareness campaign, recognised by Forbes India for its effectiveness.

2. “Respect is a Default.” – A campaign on workplace respect, successfully implemented at Accenture India.

3. “Never Again.” – A bold new campaign by Be.artsy raising awareness on workplace harassment and whistleblowing.

4. “Zara Hat Ke.” – A DEI awareness campaign designed specifically for blue-collar employees, implemented at Trident.

5. “Be Your Own Lakshmi” - A Financial Literacy Program for women at work, now a Harvard Business School Case Study.

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction."
– E.F. Schumacher

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Best | Shikha Mittal | Founder, Be.artsy

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Why Trust Me?

Over the past 15 years, I’ve collaborated with 450+ organisations across 41 industries, designing and delivering learning and developing programs impacting over 500,000 professionals through my enterprise, Be.artsy. which I founded in 2010 in Delhi, India.

From small beginnings to global impact, Be.artsy has led the way in using learning programs to drive revenue. We're not just in the business of training—we’re in the business of Trainings with ROI! Today, we go beyond learning to deliver measurable impact.