# internal-comms

---
name: internal-comms
description: Write professional internal communications — status reports, company newsletters, project updates, leadership comms, team announcements, FAQs, and talking points. Use when the user needs to write or draft internal communications for their organization.
---

# Internal Communications

Write clear, effective internal communications for organizations.

## Overview

This skill covers writing various types of internal communications — from status reports to company-wide announcements. The goal is clear, concise, audience-appropriate communication that drives the intended outcome.

## Communication Types

### Status Reports
```
# [Project/Team] Status Update — [Date]

## Highlights
- Key achievement this period
- Major milestone reached

## Progress
| Initiative | Status | Notes |
|------------|--------|-------|
| Item 1     | 🟢 On track | ... |
| Item 2     | 🟡 At risk | ... |
| Item 3     | 🔴 Blocked | ... |

## Blockers & Needs
- [Blocker]: What's needed to resolve it

## Next Period Focus
- Top priority for next period
```

### Company Newsletters
```
# [Company] Update — [Month/Quarter]

## Leadership Message
Brief note from leadership

## Key Wins
- Win 1 with context
- Win 2 with context

## Team Spotlight
Highlighting a team or individual

## What's Coming
Upcoming events, changes, launches

## Resources & Links
```

### Project Updates
```
# [Project Name] Update

## TL;DR
2-3 sentence summary for executives

## Status
Overall health: 🟢🟡🔴

## What Happened
Recent progress and decisions

## What's Next
Upcoming milestones

## Risks & Mitigations
Key risks and how they're being addressed
```

### Leadership Communications
- **Vision/mission**: Inspiring, clear, connects to daily work
- **Org changes**: Clear, timely, addresses the "why"
- **All-hands decks**: Engaging, data-driven, honest about challenges

## Instructions

### 1. Understand the Communication

Clarify:
- **Audience**: Who is this for? (Executives, team, whole company, specific dept)
- **Purpose**: What action or understanding should result?
- **Channel**: Email, Slack, presentation, wiki, meeting?
- **Tone**: Formal, casual, urgent, celebratory, serious?
- **Sensitivity**: Is this confidential? Does it need legal/HR review?
- **Length**: One paragraph? One page? Full presentation?

### 2. Structure the Message

- **Lead with the key point**: Don't bury the lede — the most important information goes first
- **Use clear headings**: Busy readers scan; make it scannable
- **Bullets for details**: Break down complex information
- **Call to action**: Be explicit about what readers should do

### 3. Write

- **Active voice**: "The team completed the migration" not "The migration was completed"
- **Specific > vague**: "Revenue grew 15%" not "Revenue grew significantly"
- **One idea per paragraph**: Keep paragraphs short and focused
- **Anticipate questions**: Address likely concerns proactively

### 4. Review

- Read it as the audience would
- Check for jargon that might not be understood
- Verify all claims and numbers
- Ensure the tone is appropriate
- Confirm the call to action is clear

## Tone Guidelines

| Situation | Tone |
|-----------|------|
| Good news | Celebratory, inclusive, genuine |
| Bad news | Direct, empathetic, forward-looking |
| Org change | Clear, timely, explains "why" |
| Urgent request | Direct, specific, respectful of time |
| Regular update | Professional, concise, informative |

## Guidelines

- **Lead with the point**: Don't make readers scroll to find out what's happening
- **Know your audience**: What do they care about? What do they already know?
- **Be concise**: Respect people's time — say what you need to say and stop
- **Be honest**: Don't spin bad news; be straightforward
- **Call to action**: Every communication should make clear what happens next
- **Consider timing**: When is the best time to send this?