No Time to Waste: Modernizing Internal Communications at the Speed of Work
Speed can be disruptive—or it can be transformative. When harnessed intentionally, it becomes a powerful force for change. When left unchecked, it can overwhelm teams and leave people behind.
Early last year, when we began discussing the possibility of Intactic joining Segal Benz, I asked Jen Benz a simple question: “How fast can we make this happen?” We wanted to align on how quickly we could combine our efforts to become the most valuable strategic internal and HR communications partner in the country. Jen’s response, in her signature style, was, “How fast can we move?”
Over the past six months, I’ve worked closely with Segal Benz’s practice co-leaders, Jennifer Schuster and Michelle Lyn, to do just that. Move and transform quickly. We’ve made huge progress in integrating the Intactic internal communications service areas and client network to expand Segal Benz’s already formidable employee communications expertise.
Like most professional services firms, we’re always balancing the delivery of exceptional client work with the continued growth of our capabilities, services, and solutions. And it’s paying off. As Jennifer Schuster says, “Segal Benz is uniquely positioned to offer the most impactful internal, HR, total rewards, and benefits communications services in the market, at scale.”
The timing couldn’t be better. With AI technologies, evolving leadership expectations, economic shifts, and a new generation of leaders demanding human-centered communication, organizations must adapt quickly.
To meet and own this moment (and the changes yet to come), we continue to prioritize rapid learning, growth, and organizational transformation. We know many organizations are facing similar challenges and opportunities. Here’s what we’re doing and advising (and not doing and advising) in hopes it can help you too.
Rapid Learning
We’re building a culture of continuous learning that helps us lead rather than follow. Our team is evolving its AI-forward communication skills and capabilities in real time.
What we do: Prioritize peer-led AI learning sessions focused on relevant use cases with immediate applications and real-time results.
Kaulen Taylor Pickell, VP and AI Transformation and Thought Leader, says the key is “offering flexible, self-directed learning options designed to pique our team members’ curiosity and intrinsic motivation.” Expert-led sessions are interjected where needed, but we prioritize building psychological safety and helping each other learn, share, and grow together.
What we don’t do: Force everyone to learn the same thing at the same time.
This slows progress and ignores the fact that people thrive when given choice and control. According to Coursera, employees have diverse learning preferences—some learn visually, others through listening or hands-on experience. Tailoring training to these styles significantly boosts engagement and retention.
Real-Time Innovation
Encourage creative ideas and experimentation across our practice. The best innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum or within a single sub-team. It’s a mindset, a core value, and an ongoing practice of playing, testing, learning, and evolving.
What we do: Invite team members to identify one or more tasks or deliverables that could be completed faster, better, or more affordably using new tools or processes.
As our VP and Innovation Leader, Peter Turgeon, says, “Quick wins and big bets drive innovation.”
What we don’t do: Tie every new idea directly to existing processes, tools, and technology.
This limits creativity and narrows the potential for breakthrough thinking. Deloitte’s 2025 Human Capital Trends report found that 40% of work is spent on non-value tasks. Innovation should reclaim that time for strategic work.
Quality and Scale
We’re committed to delivering high-quality internal communications that scale with your organization. Strategy, content, and creative design serve as our foundation, but we are always ready to up our game.
What we do: Use AI and emerging tech to enhance strategy, creativity, and delivery.
Caroline Lowry, VP and Delivery Leader, says it best, “Good ideas scale when they’re human-centered and brand-aligned.”
What we don’t do: Overwhelm and push our team to the point of exhaustion.
Everyone moves at a different pace, and respecting individual well-being and learning rhythms is key to growing and scaling in a sustainable way. If we hit our edge, we’re encouraged to ask for help, understand the root cause, and (re)align on realistic expectations. Leaders who put humans at the center of change (focusing on employee needs and well-being) were 12 times more likely to succeed in transformation efforts.
My journey with Segal Benz is just beginning, but the momentum is undeniable. As we continue to evolve, we’re committed to helping organizations modernize their internal communications strategy.
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