“The Times They Are A-Changing,” and sometimes changes come fast and furiously. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many HR-managers and internal communications specialists to have a hard look at the way their company communicates with its employees. The rise of the remote workforce and an increased need for instruction, motivation, and monitoring employee wellbeing all point to one conclusion: the old internal communications tools are no longer up to the challenge.
Not surprisingly, we see a growing interest in mobile-first communication solutions, especially in organizations with a dispersed, deskless workforce. Are you still relying on ancient internal communications tools such as email and company newsletters? Here are some rather convincing arguments to follow in the footsteps of employers who meet the latest challenges with the newest technology.
To engage employees, you need to reach them on their terms.
Frontline staff, factory workers and other deskless employees often do not have access to a computer. The only way to inform and connect with these employees is via their mobile devices. And to unlock the full potential of this channel, an employee app is the internal communications tool you need.
Supplying your employees with a modernized, mobile-first employee communication tool is the best and most effective way to improve your internal communications and ultimately boost engagement. Let's look at the different ways an employee app can contribute to this goal.
Benefits of adopting a mobile internal communication tool
Facilitates seamless communication
Mobile employee communication tools enable seamless communication across the entire workforce by offering features like instant messaging, push notifications, and real-time notifications. These tools ensure that important updates and company news reach employees instantly, regardless of their location. This capability is particularly valuable for organizations with frontline workers, as it helps bridge communication gaps and ensures that all employees receive the same information simultaneously.
Seamless communication is essential for maintaining alignment and coordination within teams. When employees can communicate quickly and efficiently through an employee communication app, they can collaborate more effectively on projects and tasks. This reduces the risk of misunderstandings and errors, leading to improved productivity and smoother operations. Additionally, the ability to send and receive messages in real time helps keep everyone on the same page, which is crucial for meeting deadlines and achieving business goals.
Moreover, mobile communication tools facilitate the flow of information from the top down and vice versa. Leaders can use these tools to share strategic updates, policy changes, and other important information with their teams, while employees can provide feedback and ask questions directly. This two-way communication fosters a culture of transparency and trust, as employees feel that their voices are heard and valued. In turn, this can lead to higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.
It helps create and maintain a positive work environment and culture
Although many non-mobile internal communication tools do offer features for remote/desk-less workers, what they lack is a crucial sense of wholesome work culture. It is essential to provide your employees with a platform where they can communicate: positive/negative feedback, suggestions for the company's improvement, and take part in constructive dialogues with the whole workforce. Having an employee app will help you to accomplish just this. It enables your workers to indulge in more meaningful, encouraging, and productive conversations, resulting in a wholesome work environment and culture, all from the ease of their readily available mobile phones.
Positive and healthy work environments are the core of any successful business. With social interaction at an all-time low due to COVID-19 and deskless/frontline workers feeling out of touch with the rest of the company generally, having an employee app as a mobile-first internal communications tool is critical. An internal communications employee app allows workers to communicate seamlessly with one another all on one platform — without the restraints of organizational hierarchies.
Enhances employee engagement
Mobile communication apps significantly increase employee engagement by making it easier for employees to stay informed and involved. These tools allow for quick dissemination of company news, updates, and feedback through employee surveys, fostering a sense of inclusion and participation. By facilitating two-way communication, mobile apps empower employees to voice their opinions and contribute to the organization's goals, thereby boosting morale and engagement.
Employee engagement is crucial for organizational success, as engaged employees are more productive, motivated, and committed to their work. Mobile communication tools help achieve this by providing a platform where employees can share their ideas, participate in discussions, and stay updated on company developments. Features like push notifications ensure that important messages are not missed, while instant messaging allows for real-time interactions and quick resolutions to any issues that may arise.
Communicates important information conveniently and swiftly — without the risk of it being unread
With such facilitating, innovative and thoughtful digital features all around us, why resort to aged and outdated internal communication tools like emails, text messages, and newsletters to convey relevant information? Additionally, operating internal communications on everyday social media apps such as Facebook and Whatsapp is a one-way road to decreased productivity levels and potential data leaks. Although these apps are easily available, they come with loads of privacy concerns and disorganized communication channels which are almost impossible to control.
For instance, every time your employee checks their mobile phones for work-related updates, they are likely to become distracted by their social media notifications and lose focus, which may result in them not reading the update at all.
Improves accessibility and reach
Mobile devices ensure that employees have access to critical information and communication channels wherever they are. This is particularly beneficial for deskless and frontline workers who may not have regular access to desktop computers. Mobile access enables employees to receive updates, participate in group chats, and access the employee directory, ensuring that they are always connected and informed.
Improving accessibility and reach through mobile communication tools helps ensure that no employee is left out of important communications. For instance, frontline workers in retail, healthcare, or logistics can stay updated on company policies, safety protocols, and operational changes through their mobile devices. This immediate access to information is crucial for maintaining high levels of efficiency and compliance, especially in fast-paced and dynamic work environments.
Supports crisis communication
In times of crisis, mobile employee communication tools are invaluable for delivering timely and accurate information. Instant messaging and push notifications allow HR and management teams to communicate urgent updates and instructions quickly, helping to mitigate risks and ensure the safety and well-being of employees. Real-time communication capabilities are essential for effective crisis management and maintaining business continuity.
Effective crisis communication relies on the ability to reach all employees instantly and reliably. Mobile communication tools provide a direct line to every employee, enabling organizations to disseminate critical information without delay. Whether it's a natural disaster, a security threat, or a public health emergency, being able to communicate quickly and clearly can make a significant difference in how well an organization responds to a crisis and protects its workforce.
Enhances employee experience
Mobile communication tools enhance the overall employee experience by providing a user-friendly platform for communication and collaboration. Features like social functions, project management, and online meetings streamline workflows and make it easier for employees to connect and collaborate. This improved communication infrastructure supports a positive company culture and contributes to higher employee satisfaction and retention.
A positive employee experience is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. Mobile communication tools play a crucial role in this by making it easier for employees to stay informed, share ideas, and work together effectively. For instance, the ability to participate in virtual meetings and access project updates from their mobile devices allows employees to stay engaged and productive, regardless of their location. This flexibility is particularly valuable for remote workers and those with non-traditional work schedules.
Enhances positive employee experience in their comfort zone
While considering the workforce in contemporary times, everyone has a mobile phone, whether they have access to a computer/laptop or not. Thus, it makes sense to utilize mobile phones, a device that your employees are definitely familiar with and an internal communications tool such as an employee app which is mobile-friendly. The ideal employee app offers employees a customizable experience, digitized tasks, and tailored messages that meet their specific needs in various departments. Ensuring that your workers have a single platform that offers personalized internal communication is very important.
Many companies and businesses that use outdated internal communications tools fail to recognize the benefits of an employee app in this regard. Tailoring your internal communications messages through an employee app ensures higher levels of employee engagement. Once you put value and effort into customizing messages, your workforce will not only appreciate you for saving their time but recognize the hard work and reciprocate it.
Provides seamless contact with frontline, desk-less workers, and remote workforces, especially
Your company may already utilize non-mobile internal communications tools, but how do you get through to non-desk/frontline employees who have jobs that require them to be up and about, as opposed to sitting in front of a desk all day? Additionally, how do you reach the workers who now work remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Remote working and digitizing internal communications is becoming a hard and fast reality for many companies, especially with the pandemic in play. Your employees need a simplified, one-stop platform that can be accessed around the clock in case of, for example, emergency updates.
Keeping your dispersed, deskless, and remote workforce in mind, non-mobile tools are no longer a sufficient means for employee engagement and internal communications. How would you convey important company updates if your employees are in different time zones with various schedules? If you have a relatively diverse workforce, language can also become a huge issue. Your most dependable solution here is an employee app. The best employee apps offer features such as push notifications to convey high-priority updates to all employees in the concerned department — no matter where they are.
Enables data-driven decisions
Mobile employee communication tools provide actionable insights through analytics and reporting features. By tracking engagement metrics, such as message open rates and survey responses, organizations can gain a bird's eye view of their internal communication effectiveness. These data-driven insights enable HR and management to make informed decisions, optimize communication strategies, and address any issues promptly.
Data-driven decision-making is a powerful approach to improving internal communications and employee engagement. With mobile communication tools, organizations can gather detailed information about how employees interact with messages and content. This data helps identify trends, measure the impact of communication efforts, and uncover areas that need improvement. For example, if engagement metrics reveal low open rates for internal emails, it may indicate a need to revise subject lines or the timing of message delivery.
Fosters inclusivity and overcomes language barriers
Many mobile communication apps offer features to support multiple languages, making it easier to communicate with a diverse workforce. This inclusivity ensures that all employees, regardless of their language preferences, can access and understand important information. Overcoming language barriers helps create a more inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and engaged.
In a globalized business environment, effective communication with a multilingual workforce is crucial. Mobile communication tools that support multiple languages enable organizations to deliver messages in the preferred language of each employee, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring that important information is accessible to all. This inclusivity is particularly important for companies with operations in multiple countries or regions, where employees may speak different languages.
Streamlines workflows and improves efficiency
Mobile communication tools integrate various functions such as project management, task tracking, and video conferencing, streamlining workflows and improving operational efficiency. Employees can easily collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and manage tasks from their mobile devices, leading to increased productivity and better organizational performance.
Streamlined workflows are essential for maintaining high levels of productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Mobile communication tools provide a centralized platform where employees can access project updates, collaborate with colleagues, and manage their tasks seamlessly. This integration reduces the need for multiple communication channels and tools, simplifying processes and saving time.
Moreover, mobile tools support real-time collaboration, enabling employees to work together more effectively, regardless of their location. Features like instant messaging, video conferencing, and document sharing facilitate quick decision-making and problem-solving, helping teams stay agile and responsive. By streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration, mobile communication tools contribute to a more efficient and productive work environment.
Strengthens company culture
By facilitating open and transparent communication, mobile employee communication tools help strengthen company culture. Features like group chats, social functions, and employee recognition programs promote a sense of community and teamwork. When employees feel connected and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to the company's mission and values.
A strong company culture is built on the foundation of trust, transparency, and mutual respect. Mobile communication tools enable organizations to foster these values by promoting open dialogue and collaboration. Group chats and social functions provide platforms for employees to interact, share ideas, and build relationships, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Recognition programs that highlight employee achievements further reinforce a positive culture by showing appreciation for hard work and dedication.
Additionally, mobile tools can help communicate and reinforce the company's mission and values. Regular updates, newsletters, and messages from leadership can keep employees informed about the organization's goals and progress, aligning their efforts with the company's vision. By strengthening company culture through effective communication, mobile tools contribute to a more motivated and engaged workforce, driving long-term success and sustainability.
Pick the Best Employee Communication App
Mobile employee communication tools are essential for fostering effective internal communication, enhancing employee engagement, and improving overall organizational performance. By leveraging the key features of these tools, such as instant messaging, push notifications, and real-time notifications, organizations can ensure that their entire workforce remains informed, connected, and engaged.
Using a mobile-first communication tool like Speakap will stimulate higher employee engagement levels, leading to increased productivity, high-quality work, and reduced employee turnover. Unsatisfactory and outdated internal communication methods usually result in disengaged employees where they feel unrecognized, unappreciated, and disconnected from the company. Book a free demo to connect with your frontline, deskless, and remote workers conveniently in their comfort zone.
