Internal communication in organizations has been significantly changing under the influence of the latest advancements in the digital space. Recently published research suggests that the majority of companies use internal communication for a variety of purposes, including helping employees understand the business and providing performance information. This technical note examines the importance of social media used for internal purposes, provides relevant examples from companies taking leading positions in adopting social media technologies, and presents an overview of the existing internal social media tools that are commonly used in organizations. Excerpt UVA-BC-0243 Jul. 9, 2012 Communicating in Organizations in the Digital Age Internal communication in organizations has been significantly changing under the influence of the latest advancements in the digital space. The term “internal communication” is used to reflect a dialogue, a conversation, within an organization between employees and employer and between employees and employees. Recently published research suggests that the majority of companies use internal communication for a variety of purposes, including helping employees understand the business and providing performance information. Companies try to make sure that employees receive information about new products, changes in the organizational structure, and recently launched projects in a timely manner. Social media is gaining more importance in the communication of developments. This note examines the importance of social media used for internal purposes, provides relevant examples from companies taking leading positions in adopting social media technologies, and presents an overview of the existing internal social media tools that are commonly used in organizations. Traditionally, internal communication includes such forms of interaction as in-person contact, specifically town halls, staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, and print materials such as annual reports, memos, and newsletters. The landscape of internal communication has substantially changed since the advent of the digital era. Today, technological or electronic tools often are a desired choice for communicating. Forrester Research estimates that the number of adults who telecommuted in 2009 was 34 million. This number is projected to grow to 63 million by 2016. With the growing demand for reliable, interactive ways to communicate, it is no wonder that intranet, e-mail, and social media, including video broadcasts, wikis, podcasts, and others, have begun to play an important role throughout organizations. “Social media certainly isn't a replacement for face-to-face communication, but in today's organizations one-to-one is often more difficult and expensive, and it's just not as easy as it used to be to get people together quickly and easily for a meeting,” says Kevin Ruck, an internal communications specialist. . . .