Cuttlefish Communication

Cuttlefish Communication Experts in communication - training, strategy & planning. Are you a team leader or a business owner? Does your team need to improve their communications?

Do your leaders need some help improving team engagement? Maybe you have a strategy or a significant project you need to roll out and you're not sure how to communicate it most effectively? We might be your new best friend! We run workshops and training sessions on all things communications - storytelling, authentic communication, effective writing, change communication ... all tailored specifical

ly to your needs. If you've got a problem we might be able to help you solve, let's chat! In the meantime, check out the range of free comms resources on our website.

Change management and change communication are closely connected, but they’re not the same discipline.Change management ...
08/09/2026

Change management and change communication are closely connected, but they’re not the same discipline.

Change management looks at the bigger picture of what an organisation needs to do to successfully move from where it is now to where it needs to be. That includes leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, learning and development and, yes, communication.

Change communication is a specialist part of that picture.

The two disciplines need to work together, but they have different jobs… and we’ve unpacked the difference in our latest blog: 👉 https://heymelcomms.training/blog/change-manage-comms
[Image description: A light green half background with a darker light green on the other half of the background. In front of both is a picture of Mel, with one having her hand up and the other side explaining something with both hands. The black title says "What's the difference between change management and change communication?" and underneath is the black Cuttlefish logo.]

Every now and then I work with a client on a project that reminds me why I love doing what I do. It's important to refle...
08/09/2026

Every now and then I work with a client on a project that reminds me why I love doing what I do.

It's important to reflect on these moments too, because running a business has a lot of things that aren't so enjoyable!

But I've had the good fortune to do some of the juicy, meaningful work I really love doing over the last few months ... and it's not a change comms strategy!

I still love that work, but recently I've been able to pivot a little and work on two big projects for two clients that involved a lot of research.

This meant interviewing dozens of employees and stakeholders, doing literature reviews and looking at benchmarking data, competitor analyses, and then coming up with clear findings and recommendations.

It might seem boring to some, but I love getting the insights from lots of different people, challenging assumptions, and shining a light on the issues and opportunities in organisations.

It's then up to them what they want to do with my recommendations, or if they want me to help them co-create a plan, facilitate training, coaching, etc, but it genuinely feels like I'm being helpful! :)

What's the work you LOVE doing and why? Let me know!

[Image description: pale green tile with black headline text in a white circle that reads: What's the work that you really love doing?]

AI is a pretty powerful tool. I use my mate Claude frequently to check for gaps in my work, help me find new research, e...
07/09/2026

AI is a pretty powerful tool. I use my mate Claude frequently to check for gaps in my work, help me find new research, etc.

But it's just a tool. There are some things it will never replace, and they're super-important things for any business:

AI can't, for example:
- make people great leaders ... that takes training, mentoring, time and experience
- make change easier or quicker ... because change is an inherently human experience
- improve attraction & retention of great people ... in fact, using AI in job adverts or internal comms just erodes credibility and trust
- make people feel valued and loyal ... only other humans can do that
- use discernment to judge if something is right or wrong ... it doesn't have the 'gut instinct' borne of years of learning, working, experiencing and knowing what's going on in your business or sector.

While businesses focus on productivity gains, they risk losing the very thing that makes a customer or employee loyal to them ... human relationships.

So while spending huge dollars on AI implementation (again, involves human change), perhaps some of that spending could be invested in things like:
- leadership training
- team communication and behaviours training
- mentoring programs
- learning and development opportunities, like conferences and workshops
- research into what their people and customers think about their business...
.. and so much more!

That's the World According to Mel ... what do you think?

[Image description: Blue tile with black headline text that reads: What AI can and can't do for your business. There are two lists, one with a cross over the top listing the things AI can't do, which are mentioned in this post. The second list has a tick over the top and lists the things AI can do, like speeding up and automating processes, synthesising large amounts of data, and supporting with checking and researching work.]

Just putting my hand up to say 'hi!'. After finishing a couple of big juicy projects, and a bunch of training sessions, ...
03/09/2026

Just putting my hand up to say 'hi!'.

After finishing a couple of big juicy projects, and a bunch of training sessions, I now have a bit of capacity.

So if you're looking for support with any of the following, let's chat!

- Developing your organisation's communication strategy to support the business strategy

- Change communication strategy / plan / materials to support your change project

- Training for your team on communicating better together, working in uncertainty, leadership communication skills, and more

- Post-change project research to understand what worked, what could have been improved, and where to next

- Research into your team's culture and internal communications, and what could be improved

- Auditing your internal communication, intranet and / or website

- Setting up your internal or change teams for success with a clear playbook and service model

- Working with you or your company's senior leaders to develop your thought leadership strategy and key messaging.

DM me or there's a booking link on my website - cuttlefish.group

[Image description: Photo of Mel on a stage smiling with her hand up. She wears bright orange and pink patterned pants and a white t-shirt with a zebra image made of sequins.]

02/09/2026

Your brand is much more than your logo!

It's the way your organisation speaks, the language leaders use, the tone of an email, the way you talk about your people, your customers and your purpose. It's every touchpoint someone has with your organisation, including the ones happening internally.

…yet internal comms can sometimes feel like the place where the brand guidelines go to die. 😂

Which is a problem, because inconsistency can erode trust.

In the latest episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we put a magnifying glass on why brand consistency matters in internal communication, where organisations often go wrong, and three practical things you can do to bring your brand to life internally.

Listen in here: https://www.heymelcomms.training/186 🎧
[Video imagery description: Mel in front of her microphone talking to the camera.]

Is your brand consistent internally… or does all hell break loose once you get behind the firewall? 😂We all know that ge...
01/09/2026

Is your brand consistent internally… or does all hell break loose once you get behind the firewall? 😂

We all know that generally speaking, the brand and marketing teams are pretty good at protecting the brand externally.

However, when it comes to internal… we suddenly get a random mix of new colours, tag lines and made up AI logos?

It may seem harmless, but brand consistency matters internally, too because it’s a representation and reiteration of what your organisation stands for, what people should expect from you and the experience you create.

Plus, a lot more; which you can read more about here: 👉 https://heymelcomms.training/blog/internal-brand
[Image description: A greyscale image of Mel presenting, with a scuffed filter over the top. The title in gold is in the bottom half of the image and says: "Does brand actually matter in internal communications?" with the word actually being circled. The white Cuttlefish logo is in the top left.]

The Brisbane Lord Mayor's Women In Business Grants are open for applications!As part of the application, you'll need to ...
01/09/2026

The Brisbane Lord Mayor's Women In Business Grants are open for applications!

As part of the application, you'll need to say how you'll spend the $5,000 grant. And that's where we can help!

Our Brand Messaging Package has been designed especially for grant recipients who need a hand to develop clear, powerful messaging that resonates with your customers.

It's always so much easier to get another person to create your messaging!

So send us a message to request a quote you can attach to your application.

And GOOD LUCK! X

What happens to the next generation of communicators when AI starts doing the work they used to begin with?That’s one of...
31/08/2026

What happens to the next generation of communicators when AI starts doing the work they used to begin with?

That’s one of the questions we explore in this fortnight’s newsletter.

Plus, we cover business skills everyone needs and what good change communication actually looks like.

We also look into recent observations on the consulting market, the Brisbane comms jobs scene, some spectacular examples of communications going wrong, and a collection of things worth reading, watching and listening to.

So, get amongst it here 👉: https://mailchi.mp/heymelcomms/31-8-26

Plus sign up for more free stuff here: https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292.
[Image description: A background of an audience participant reading content while Mel is presenting. On top of this is a light green rectangle that says "Ready for the recap?" in black, with a sub title in a white mock search bar under it saying "This fortnight's newsletter is here". A gold and green letter icon is at the top, and the white Cuttlefish logo is on the left of it.]

What did you want to grow up to be when you were a child?Maybe a doctor, firefighter, chef ... for me, it varied dependi...
28/08/2026

What did you want to grow up to be when you were a child?

Maybe a doctor, firefighter, chef ... for me, it varied depending on the week! (Nobody told me 'Marine Biologist' was probably a stretch.)

All kids had those dreams of what they'd be, but I bet none of them dreamed of being homeless.

But that's ended up being the reality for so many people, especially single mums and older women. Despite their hopes, dreams, and best efforts, more and more women are finding themselves without a safe roof over their heads, and often through no fault of their own.

There used to be a stigma (and there probably still is) about people who find themselves without a home ... that they must have mental health problems or be drug addicts.

But for women in particular, the real reasons couldn't be more different:

- 45% of all women and girls seeking homelessness assistance cite family and domestic violence as the cause (Homelessness Australia)

- In Brisbane, 68% of families who are experiencing homelessness had left or lost housing due to violence in the home (Micah Projects)

- Older women (55+) are the fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness, largely due to having worked unpaid or in low-paid jobs for years, having little superannuation, and being priced out of the rental market after a divorce, being widowed, or retiring. (Housing for Aged Action Group)

As a woman who lives in a safe, stable home, I can't imagine the opposite being true. And I don't want it to be. Which is why once again, I'm joining the Salvos Sleep Out on 11 September in Brisbane.

All the funds raised will support the Salvo's Brisbane Women's Homelessness Service.

If you can spare a few dollars, please consider donating or, if you're in Brisbane, join in the sleep out with me!

Find all the details here: https://sleepout.qld.salvationarmy.org.au/t/sleep-out-squad

Yes it's almost the end of August and I'm only just now posting about what we got up to in July ... .. but that's indica...
27/08/2026

Yes it's almost the end of August and I'm only just now posting about what we got up to in July ...
.. but that's indicative of how busy it's been!

Here's a few things we got up to in July:

- Change communication strategy, plan, and materials for a major building project

- Crisis comms support for two clients

- Meetin' and greetin' with other comms folks and consultants

- Interviews with dozens of people following a restructure, and for another client's intranet / website project

- Started the annual report process for a couple of clients.

Phew! On top of the usual weekly podcasts, writing tasks, prepping for workshops, supporting IABC through different volunteering roles and of course, teaching group fitness classes, it was a whirlwind.

August has turned into a big one too ... looking forward to sharing that recap, hopefully before the end of September :D

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