How to boost employee engagement with an internal social network platform?
The main function of an internal social network platform is to facilitate multi-faceted internal communications for the organization and its employees. However, that’s not all. It is also a perfect measure to strengthen employee engagement. How to make it work? Your company is 4 steps away from that.
The struggle for engagement continues
Strengthening employee engagement has been at the top of the leaders’ agenda for years. Why? On the one hand, research shows that engaged employees are more productive (up to 21%), which translates to the bottom line. On the other hand, we know that nearly 85% of employees around the world are not engaged at work, even despite greater efforts by companies. The struggle for engagement continues, and in the era of remote work, it is extremely difficult to achieve it. Therefore, it is worth using digital tools available in the organization, and internal social networks are perfect for this purpose.
How to boost employee engagement with an internal social network platform – 4 steps
Research published in Public Relations Review has proven that using an internal social network has many benefits for organizations, including:
– A significant increase in employee engagement.
– Strengthened sense of belonging to the organization.
– Strengthened bonds between employees.
– Change in the perception of organizational culture – employees perceive it to be more transparent, open, and friendly.
Four steps will bring you closer to achieving these results.
STEP 1: Access to a functional internal social network platform
STEP 2: Know the needs of your audience
STEP 3: Create the conditions to get to know each other
STEP 4: Lead by example
STEP 1: Access to a functional internal social network platform
The tool that your employees will use has to be adjusted to their needs. A well-designed internal social network is based on the simplicity of use, intuitiveness, visual attractiveness, accessibility, and functionality. It has to be integrated with other tools that employees use daily so that they can easily and quickly share content, make comments and publish on their own. So, the choice of a platform cannot be accidental.
STEP 2: Know the needs of your audience
To create engaging content, you need to know your audience and their needs – that’s the no. 1 rule of any social media marketing specialist. And it should be the same for internal communicators. The content you add to your internal social network must be interesting and helpful in daily work. So, get to know your employees, find out what moves and interests them, and, above all, what they need.
STEP 3: Create the conditions to get to know each other
Employees like solutions that they know. Transferring the features they know from public media to the enterprise social network will encourage them to discover interconnections and similarities. Allowing them to create personal profiles that include professional and personal interests, upload photos and share comments on them creates good conditions for strengthening relationships on various levels.
STEP 4: Lead by example
Open, engaging internal communication should be conducted by the entire organization – including leaders. They, supported by the communications and HR team, set the trends and direction. Employees need to see their presence in the internal social network space to follow their example.
Employee engagement does not happen overnight. It is a hard, collaborative effort to create a positive employee experience, an atmosphere of trust, and a supportive company culture. With the help of well-used tools, this hard work can benefit both parties. Employees with a rewarding workplace and the organization with people who are committed to their work.
How can Workai’s internal social network support you in enhancing employee engagement?
Workai’s interactive platform, Workai Connections, enables employees to communicate using multiple channels. With its powerful features, the platform connects people and encourages them to become more involved in the company’s life. File sharing, easy content creation, quick responses, feedback options, and personalized employee profiles – all these features make communication easier and more dynamic. The solution supports a good atmosphere and allows for the building of an engaged corporate community.