Companies have a variety of ways to communicate with their employees these days. However, many businesses are having a hard time making sure their team members are connected and productive. Most companies need ways to improve workplace communication.
The way your company relays information to and interacts with employees could make or break an employee’s experience. This means it’s crucial to find communication methods that work for your business. You need to let team members know about new policies and services, but it’s also important to keep the lines of communication open so team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas.
Today’s workplace also includes remote workers and long-term contractors, which presents communication challenges for many companies. Research indicates that poor internal communication could be costly as well. For large companies, the cost is around $62.4 million a year, which equates to about 100,000 employees not getting the right message. For smaller companies, improper communication could come with a penalty of up to $420,000 per year, which is about 100 employees.
Here are some effective strategies to improve the way your business relays and receives professional information.
Centralize Communication Tools
First, you should determine the communication methods your team members are using and how well these tools work. You’ll likely find that many of your employees are using unauthorized software and apps. According to a recent survey, 50% of employees use an online tool for communication that is not company-approved. This is known as “shadow IT” and could result in inaccurate internal communication. The consequences of shadow IT are worse for employees who work remotely. These workers don’t have the benefit of in-person interactions, which means they may not have access to essential data. About 57% of remote employees state that they’ve missed pertinent information and 43% don’t have access to essential individuals or groups.
You should make sure that everyone is in the loop to consolidate methods of company communication using something such as Slack. Find out which apps your team members prefer and set up a company account. Look for trustworthy UCaaS Providers and integrate other types of communication software, if needed. You can also incorporate digital workplace solutions so everyone can keep up with important conversations and company information.
Encourage Leaders To Communication
Make sure the senior leaders in your company lead by example when it comes to open communication. Employees definitely notice when their managers and executives don’t interact as much as they should. A poll involving 1,000 American workers revealed that 91% of subpar communication gives leaders a negative reputation. A global survey for workplace communications indicated that poor communication affects employees’ ability to understand the company’s vision by 38%, financial performance by 51%, long-term strategy by 57%, and short-term business plans by 54%. All of these factors are critical to the success of a business and influence employee engagement and performance.
Create One-Stop Shops For Communication
When your team members are informed, they are more likely to perform well and participate in professional discussions and initiatives. However, the average knowledge worker spends nearly 20% of the week looking for and compiling internal information. This can cause frustration and lead to a lack of motivation and productivity.
You can improve them by creating a virtual company newsroom to curate information and give team members a reliable way to stay current. A governance center is a good idea as well since it allows employees to share information while adhering to company policies.
Also having team meetings where information is shared and team members have the chance to go over questions and concerns is a great way to help your employees get the help they need to stay focused and motivated throughout the week. It’s also a good idea to keep an open policy on asking questions and having information easily available to employees that pertains to their job.
Incorporate Social Media
Social media is a huge part of most people’s lives. According to a recent global survey on social tools, company executives shared that the biggest professional advantage of social media is that employees can communicate with team members from different departments.
However, it’s important to remember that there are some risks to utilizing social media for work purposes. About 76% of employees say they’re “friends” with coworkers on social media. However, 71% of individuals state that they avoid posting certain things on social media because they don’t want their colleagues to see it. Most companies have standards in place that frown on unsavory employee behavior on social media to uphold the reputation of the business. After all, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter were not created for communication in the workplace.
You can create a social zone for team members so employees can socialize with one another and interact productively while looking at company calendars, viewing pictures from business events, and participating in company forums.
Let Team Members Have A Voice
Employees should consume workplace information but they should also produce information for the office. Include your team members in content creation so your workers know that professional communication is not a one-sided conversation. Give them the chance to really add to the company. If they’ve created a faster way to do something give them the chance to showcase their work.
Research indicates that encouraging your employees to share their experiences improves internal communication. Your team members should also feel comfortable sharing their expertise in a way that will help others enhance their professional skills. Creating a company blog can give employees a creative outlet and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard which helps improve workplace communication.
