SkyCity's the write stuff

Michelle O'Neill

Q: What do you do?

A: I work in a range of areas within internal communications, including staff reward and recognition programmes. I also work on a range of face-to-face staff briefings with senior management, from 20-minute briefings about what's happening at the Auckland complex through to bigger-scale events we hold for staff at each SkyCity property in New Zealand.

It's my job to help them understand more about the issues we're dealing with now and SkyCity's future. My goal is to build employee engagement and ensure SkyCity's values and culture is reinforced through all staff communication. That means ensuring the 5000 staff from various cultures and backgrounds have the information they need to do their daily jobs.

Q: Why did you choose this job?

A: I started at SkyCity as communications assistant after returning from two and half years working in hotels in Europe. As well as giving me the opportunity to use my degree - working across all areas of the communications team - I also have the opportunity to keep developing my customer service skills. When a vacancy became available I was promoted to this position.

Q: What skills do you need to become an internal communications executive?

A: Being organised and able to juggle different projects simultaneously, project and event management skills, plus excellent writing skills are essential. Communicating with a culturally diverse workforce requires different communication techniques. For example, with some staff a poster will be most effective, while for others a face-to-face briefing by their manager will work best.

Q: Best part of your job?

A: The sheer variety of projects I'm involved with and the opportunity to use and develop different skills. I also enjoy writing for the staff publications and developing communications to help them to get the information they want and need. Internal communications is an exciting and rewarding area to work in.

That's especially true when you see staff enjoying their jobs, being recognised for their efforts, developing their skills and their careers.

Q: Most challenging/difficult part of your job?

A: The logistics involved in putting together staff events, which takes a lot of time and effort. Staff diversity adds to the challenge of holding an event that will have universal appeal. But I get a great deal of satisfaction from witnessing everybody enjoying themselves and having a good time at these events.

Q: What sort of training do you get?

A: Most training is "on the job" and by learning from other team members. My journalism training helps with the written communication, and I get a lot of advice and support from my manager when it comes to event management and employee engagement.

Q: Any interesting one-off projects?

A: I recently managed the distribution of Christmas gifts - hams, turkeys and vegetarian gift packs - to 2700 SkyCity Auckland staff. Unclaimed gifts were donated to the Auckland City Mission.

Q: What advice would you give someone considering this career?

A: You need to be prepared to take on any task given to you, and give 100 per cent. Some of the tasks may not be the most exciting you've ever worked on, but they give you the skills and knowledge that you will use later. Internal communication is such a key part of any organisation. Its role is becoming more apparent as businesses realise the importance of their staff and the part they play in the success of their business.

My job

Name: Michelle O'Neill
Age: 26
Job title: Internal communications executive
Working hours: Regular office hours and some nights or weekends as necessary.
Employer: SkyCity Auckland
Qualifications: Bachelor of Communications degree, Auckland University of Technology, major in journalism.
Career prospects: Other areas of the communications industry, including media relations, community relations and sponsorship, and management level positions.