All experts agree that the future of work is happening today. The COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to massively stress-test their current digital setup. According to The World Economic Forum, a dazzling 85% of organizations is currently expanding into new technologies to create digital workplaces for their staff.
So why is it so important to be on that digital train? And what are the main benefits of digitizing your employee communication?
1. NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES
Modern digital messaging approaches can take advantage of next-generation technologies to create a human connection in a world where we must stay apart. They can establish a direct connection with each type of employee, whether they are in the office, on the work floor, on the road or working from home. Technology has never played a more crucial role in providing human interaction. New technologies can also unify all communication channels into one centralized system. Having a single point of content input instead of 8 stand-alone channels saves valuable time, streamlines your process and provides a clear overview at all times.
2. TARGETING
In a time where vital information can be a matter of life and death, targeted and personalized messaging becomes crucial. Digital platforms allow communicators to extensively target and tailor messages so that employees receive relevant info only, which drastically increases reading motivation and adoption. The days of 'one-to-all' communications are definitely behind us.
3. METRICS
Digital channels allow data capturing. Measuring your internal messaging’s success becomes ever more important to optimize, adjust and improve your communication strategy in a time where change is constant. Data and hard numbers have become crucial to explain and prove the value of your communication and can play an important role in forecasting new priorities and setting clear goals and KPI's for the coming years.
4. INCLUDE YOUR FRONTLINE
2.7 billion workers around the globe work on the frontline of various industries like retail, hospitality, construction, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing. And even though these frontline workers kept the machine running during the pandemic, 84% didn’t feel management shared enough information, and 75% felt ‘out of the loop’ when it came to company policy changes or other vital information regarding the pandemic and the way the company is responding to it. As COVID-19 further emphasized the massive disconnection between the office and frontline workers, it became clear that HR, internal communication and managers need a reliable direct communication line with frontline workers, regardless of role, location, time or work schedule. The best and easiest way to establish that is by empowering them with the right technology that provides access to the same resources that their office colleagues enjoy.
AN IMPORTANT CROSSROAD
The COVID-19 pandemic was, and still is, a time of great change and disruption. It taught us valuable lessons in human interaction and human connection, both in our private and professional lives. As for many sectors and fields, COVID-19 also ushered in a new era for internal communications. The time to revamp, future-proof and digitize the entire process is now. And the tools and strategies you choose today are not only solving an acute crisis, they will directly affect your company’s resilience in the near future.
How companies manage their internal communications right now and the choices they make today can ultimately make or break their brand. That is why it is crucial to make the correct decisions for your company today!
Want to read more? Download our latest eBook 'How COVID-19 changed employee communication for good'.
