Nothing can stir up uncertainty among employees faster than organisational change. Whether it’s a company restructure, a new leadership strategy, a digital transformation, or a shift in company values, people naturally fear the unknown. When communication falters, rumours and resistance can develop in its place.
This is where the power of bespoke animation comes in, helping leaders navigate the landscape of organisational change with empathy and creativity. Sliced Bread Animation believes that animation isn’t solely for marketing or external communications, although it’s highly effective in both of these areas as well.
Animation can also be a vital tool for internal comms, especially during transitional phases. When you incorporate storytelling methods with visual design elements, animation allows organisations to break down complex information into easily digestible and engaging narratives that deeply resonate with team members.
Why Does Traditional Communication Fall Short in Times of Organisational Change?
Emails, slideshows, and all-hands meetings are staples of internal business communications. However, when it comes time to communicate company-wide changes or transformations, these methods often fail to engage or inspire employees.
According to Harry Robinson, a senior partner with the global consulting firm McKinsey and Company, research shows that about 70% of all corporate transformations fail. Often, these failures come down to a lack of clear communication about the organisational change. As Robinson says, in the early days of the transition, leadership often fails to “build conviction within the team about the importance of this change or craft a narrative that convinces people they need to make the transformation happen.”
Bespoke animation can be a big help during these times, especially when it comes to communicating the “why” behind the change. After all, whenever your boss requests something outside of your typical day-to-day responsibilities, your first question is likely to be, “Why?”
Animated videos can answer this question in an engaging and memorable fashion, helping your employees buy into the change. Animation offers an emotionally intelligent and visually appealing approach to communicating organisational change. When employees have uncertainty about how a change will affect their daily work, they need more than a mere list of bullet points — they require context, reassurance, and a clear vision of the road ahead.