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Chapter 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9970-0.ch017
Leadership Communication,
Internal Marketing, and
Employee Engagement:
A Recipe to Create Brand Ambassadors
ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the internal communication practices of Lenovo, a $39 billion Fortune Global
500 technology company, and the world’s largest PC vendor. In particular, this study examines how this
company uses social media as a form of internal marketing to foster employee engagement. Internal
communications (or internal marketing) is generally led by marketing or PR professionals with expertise
in human resources, public relations, marketing, social media, and/or employee engagement. One new
way that companies are extending internal communication is by developing the use of their company
intranets. Intranets can support an organization by sharing accurate leadership communication and
company information on a timely basis to develop trust with employees and encourage them to act as
brand ambassadors. This chapter describes how Lenovo has developed and uses its Lenovo Central
intranet to engage employees in its mission and vision.
INTRODUCTION
This chapter examines the internal communication
practices of a Lenovo, a $39 billion multinational
technology company. This case study examines
the intent, development, and use of Lenovo Cen-
tral, its company intranet. The case study also
analyzes how it uses social media to publish
internal communications with employees in ways
that enhance employee engagement. This chapter
will introduce the role of internal communication
(or internal marketing), how leadership commu-
Karen E. Mishra
Meredith College, USA
Aneil K. Mishra
East Carolina University, USA
Khaner Walker
Lenovo, USA