Proving the ROI of Your Internal Comms: 10 Stats That Will Win Over Leadership

Want to show the value of internal comms in 2025? These are the stats every communicator should be spotlighting in leadership conversations, strategy decks, and budget discussions.

When budgets tighten, the necessity of an internal communicator’s role may come into question. However, overlooking the power of internal communications, especially during times of uncertainty, is both shortsighted and expensive.

Our 2025 Global State of Internal Communications Report (GSIC) reveals the internal dynamics behind this engagement challenge—and provides the data to help IC professionals make a compelling case for investment.

Plus, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report, employee engagement fell by 2% globally from 2023 to 2024, costing businesses $438 billion in lost productivity. If the global workforce were fully engaged, it could unlock $9.6 trillion in economic value, equal to a whopping 9% of global GDP.

So, what’s part of the missing link? Strategic internal communication.

Follow along as we highlight all the data points that will show your leadership team that an investment in internal comms is worthwhile.

Here are 10 data-backed takeaways from our 2025 GSIC report that will prove the business case for a greater investment in internal communications at any organization:

1. No fixed budget for IC doesn’t signal confidence

52% of internal communicators report having no fixed budget for their function. That lack of dedicated investment signals a deeper issue: internal communications still isn’t treated as a priority. 

Make the case: Position internal communications as a high-return investment, not a discretionary cost. Every clear, timely message is a chance to build culture, reduce friction, and re-engage your workforce—before disengagement hits your bottom line.

2. Only 7% of orgs report “very high” employee engagement

60% of IC leaders rate engagement as ‘moderate,’ and only 7% say it’s very high.

Make the case: The engagement plateau is real—and leadership needs to see it as a risk. Strong IC strategies (recognition, clear updates, feedback loops) can reverse stagnation and improve retention.

3. 72% of communicators agree IC is more business-critical than ever

Internal comms professionals overwhelmingly agree that their work has grown in importance, especially post-pandemic and amid hybrid work.

Make the case: If 7 in 10 communicators say IC is more critical than ever, but leadership hasn’t shifted resourcing accordingly—there’s a gap. Investing now makes sure there’s alignment, trust, and cultural consistency.

4. 70% of teams use AI and are seeing results

AI adoption is surging in IC teams to save time, improve personalization, and accelerate content delivery.

Make the case: AI-enabled tools (like ContactMonkey) can cut time spent creating comms by 8 hours per week—freeing teams to focus on strategy, feedback, and optimization.

5. Only 54% of communicators can measure impact with current tooling

Most IC teams face leadership pressure to justify their value—without having the tools to do so effectively. Yet, 70% need to prove ROI.

Make the case: Investing in measurable comms software with analytics and feedback features gives leaders the data they demand—read rates, click-throughs, sentiment, and more.

6. Companies are not standardizing employee recognition programs

66% of organizations have formal recognition programs—but many are inconsistent or not well-communicated.

Make the case: Recognition communications directly boost morale, motivation, and retention. Strategically embedding these into internal emails pays long-term dividends.

7. Employee feedback collection is underutilized

89% of organizations collect feedback, but few have strong “close-the-loop” systems.

Make the case: Feedback without follow-up damages trust. Use tools that allow real-time pulse surveys and follow-up messaging to demonstrate action to boost trust and retention.

8. 42% of teams are affected by market disruption

Almost half of IC leaders say inflation, layoffs, or economic stress are impacting their internal messaging strategy.

Make the case: When budgets are right, internal comms software fills the talent gaps through tech. Investing in comms ensures clarity, stability, and business continuity. 

9. 80% of organizations are hybrid or remote but lack tooling

Flexible work is here to stay—but many orgs haven’t invested in comms tools designed for dispersed teams.

Make the case: Legacy tools weren’t built for remote. Modern IC platforms ensure consistent, branded, trackable comms—especially across time zones and roles.

10. Underinvestment in IC is a leadership reputation risk

Employees expect transparency, visibility, and responsiveness from leadership—especially during times of change. Yet only 37% of internal communicators say their leadership is visible and accessible through internal communications.

Make the case: ContactMonkey’s tools let leaders send video messages, collect sentiment instantly, and maintain trust at scale. This protects leadership credibility and employee confidence.

TL;DR: Internal Communications Is an Economic Advantage

Employee disengagement is draining billions from the global economy—yet it’s preventable. Internal communications is one of the most powerful (and under-leveraged) levers organizations can use to drive productivity, engagement, and retention.

Failing to invest in IC tools doesn’t save money, it actually costs it.

As communicators shared in our 2025 GSIC report, here are key stats to bolster your internal communication investment business case: 

• 72% of IC leaders say internal comms is now business-critical
  
• 60% of organizations report stagnant or moderate employee engagement
  
• 70% of IC teams use AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs
  
• 54% can’t measure comms impact—highlighting a need for better tools
  
• 89% collect feedback, but few close the loop which undermines trust
  
• 80% operate hybrid/remotely, yet most lack the tools to communicate at scale
  
• Recognition and transparency, both key to engagement, are often underdelivered
  
• IC drives retention, morale, and alignment—all proven business outcomes
  

Bottom line: Strategic internal communication is a measurable business advantage.

Ready to Build the Business Case for Internal Communications Software?

Connect with us to see how ContactMonkey helps internal comms leaders:

• Quantify ROI with real-time analytics
• Reach remote and frontline workers with personalized content
• Prove impact to senior leaders—without the guesswork
  

Let’s turn internal communication into your most powerful growth engine. Our teams are ready to evaluate your current IC strategy and see how ContactMonkey can help. Book a 15-minute call today to get started!