Developing an internal communication strategy for office workers has a fairly well-established playbook, but have you considered doing the same for your frontline workers? Given the mobile nature of their work, this historically-overlooked group necessitates different workforce solutions.
Namely, distributed workers don’t have access to email, and instead depend on printed materials and other offline communication channels to get the information they need. This presents three major challenges for developing a viable communications strategy for non-desk workers:
- Effectively facilitating non-desk employee communication
- Building and sustaining employee engagement
- Connecting distributed and desk-based workers for company alignment
How do companies wade through the digital noise and find a communication tool that can be accessed successfully by both your office-based and mobile teams?
Identify Challenges to Craft Your Communication Strategy
72% of employees already use a mobile device and social media platforms. In order to communicate with your distributed workers, your workforce solutions need to meet them where they are. Implementing a mobile platform like a workplace app as part of your communication strategy is the best way to communicate with them. As more and more millennials and their counterparts Gen Z enter the workplace, the need for a mobile platform grows.
Because non-desk workers aren’t present in the office, it can be hard to engage with them via traditional techniques and incentives. The perks of office life, like company provided lunches, events, and group fitness, aren’t really an option for non-desk workers. Distributed employees also don’t get as much built-in time with managers as they don’t see them on a regular basis.
An effective communication strategy has long been linked to employee engagement. In fact, there is a linear relationship between well-organized and effective communication and increased employee engagement. A transparent, real-time workplace app increases employee engagement, which results in:
- Reduced costs
- More stable business operations
- Employees feeling more attached to your company and performing better in their job
Effective Workforce Solutions for Onboarding A New Tool
Mobile workforce solutions only work when the tool is actually used. A successful and engaging implementation process can help mitigate the risk of low adoption and engagement. Here are three communication strategies that will help your company put a new workplace app into action:
- Identify the most significant use cases around how you anticipate employees will use the mobile workplace app. You’ll also want to define what the issues are that you’re primarily trying to solve. Some examples include: sending corporate news, changes in processes, department news, or employee feedback surveys.
- Spot champions and get them involved. Choosing “champions” or key influencers is a core component of the success of your new workplace app. These people will help spread the word and generate excitement amongst your other employees. Get them involved early and often during the adoption process.
- Organize a launch event. When it’s time to unveil the new workplace app, make it a memorable and engaging event that involves the entire company. Utilize your champions to show all the wonderful ways these workforce solutions will make your employees jobs better. Make sure all employees download the platform at the event, login, and start testing it out.
A successful implementation process will lay the groundwork for a successful adoption and a healthy communication platform.
Improve Employee Connection with a Workplace App
In order to adequately reach your workforce, you have to keep them engaged. It’s important to make sure you craft an intentional and focused content calendar to keep them interested. Non-desk workers rarely get recognized for the work they do, and with traditional internal communication, they often wouldn’t even know if they were recognized. Provide a platform where employees can share each other’s achievements and updates, and be notified instantly when they do. This will facilitate conversations, and further encourage employee connection.
