Happeo Unmuted
Welcome to Happeo Unmuted – a podcast where industry experts share insights, best practices, and the latest trends in internal communications and intranet management.
All Episodes
Happeo Unmuted, Episode 7 - Knowledge Management, Human Oversight, and the End of Hoarding Culture
5 Key Takeaways from Happeo Unmuted with Taylor Paschal Knowledge management is more than a knowledge base. Taylor emphasizes that valuable insights often live outside formal systems — in conversations, workflows, and other resources. KM leaders should act as guides who help employees become resourceful learners. ROI in knowledge management comes from connection and impact. Beyond usage metrics, the true return lies in reducing duplicate work, improving quality assurance, and creating feedback loops between frontline teams and product or development functions. AI needs humans in the loop. Taylor underscores the importance of human validation and coaching to ensure AI search results remain accurate, trustworthy, and aligned with organizational standards — especially in regulated industries. Accessibility is key to effective KM. Knowledge management shouldn’t be reserved for large enterprises. Every organization — regardless of size or budget — can adopt scalable KM practices that make knowledge more accessible and actionable. KM and communications are stronger together. Collaboration between KM and comms teams amplifies impact. Council-style groups or communities of practice can align goals, share governance, and ensure that knowledge supports broader business objectives..jpg)
Happeo Unmuted, Episode 6 - Tools, Trust, and the Future of Internal Comms
In this episode of Happeo Unmuted, I dive into the intricate world of internal communications with strategic leader Kate Gilland. We discuss the evolving landscape of internal comms, the importance of fostering trust within teams, and how modern tools can enhance communication effectiveness. Kate shares insightful stories from her career, including the challenges of navigating organizational change and the significant impact of creating a collaborative culture. We also explore the role of AI in shaping future communication strategies. If you're passionate about transforming internal communications and improving employee engagement, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable insights. Tune in to discover how to elevate your organization's communication strategy and foster a thriving workplace environment.
Happeo Unmuted, Episode 5 - Clarity, authenticity, and emotional translation in IC
In this episode of Happeo Unmuted, I engage in a candid conversation with Penny Crane, Manager of Internal Communications at Earnest. We dive into the critical components of internal communications, focusing on clarity, authenticity, and the often-overlooked role of emotional translation in the workplace. Penny shares her unique perspective on how effective internal comms can drive alignment and trust within organizations. We explore the challenges of navigating corporate messaging while maintaining a human touch and discuss practical strategies for fostering engagement. Whether you're an internal comms professional or just curious about enhancing workplace communication, this episode offers valuable insights to help you rethink your approach. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on transforming internal communications into a powerful organizational tool.
Happeo Unmuted, Episode 4 - The Human Centric Power of Internal Communications
Welcome to Happeo Unmuted, the podcast where we go beyond best practices to explore what really connects people at work. In this episode, Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey sits down with Denisa Karfikova to share her 10+ years of experience in helping tech and financial services companies navigate change, build culture, and connect strategy to story. This episode covers: 1. Internal comms is strategic, not tactical. Denisa pushed back on the misconception that internal communications is about sending out newsletters or company updates. Instead, it’s a strategic function that directly shapes how employees understand the company’s goals, engage with change, and connect to purpose. When internal communicators are involved early in initiatives, they can translate complex strategies into clear, human-centered messages that inspire action and foster alignment. 2. Storytelling humanizes the workplace. Beyond data and process, internal communications thrives on storytelling. Denisa emphasized the power of profiling employees and leaders, sharing their stories to make them approachable and relatable. This practice not only helps new employees integrate faster but also makes leaders more accessible, strengthening trust. Storytelling transforms abstract strategies into lived experiences and builds authentic connections across the organization. 3. Measuring impact goes beyond clicks. Traditional metrics like open rates and click-through rates are helpful, but Denisa explained that the true value lies in measuring outcomes. Did employees adopt a new tool? Complete a required training? Express greater clarity in surveys? Even small increases in positive feedback represent meaningful progress. Combining hard data with sentiment surveys and quick pulse checks gives communicators a more accurate picture of how messages land and where to adjust. 4. AI is a tool, not a replacement.The conversation also explored the role of AI in internal communications. Denisa sees AI as a “capable intern” that can draft content, summarize meeting notes, or provide sentiment analysis in real time. This frees communicators to focus on the strategic and human side of their work: advising leaders, crafting stories, and shaping culture. While AI can streamline processes, it cannot replace the empathy, cultural nuance, and human connection at the heart of effective communication. 5. Employee experience is communication. Denisa highlighted that employee experience is not defined by perks or programs but by how people feel at work every day. Clear, transparent, and consistent communication helps employees feel seen, heard, and trusted, while poor or inconsistent messaging erodes trust and culture. Managers play a central role in this equation, often serving as the primary communicators. Supporting them to deliver messages with empathy—even when decisions are tough—strengthens engagement and builds long-term commitment.
