Communities management
October 16th, 2023

Employee Engagement: It's Not as Difficult as You Think

by juliec

Employee engagement has long been regarded as a pivotal factor in elevating organizational productivity and morale. Elevating engagement across your entire company is crucial. A study from Gallup reveals that businesses with high employee engagement levels are 21% more profitable than those with disengaged workforces.

By fostering a vibrant digital environment on your internal social networks, every employee feels valued and heard, thereby contributing to a culture that propels organizational success and enhances overall employee well-being. Knowing what is happening in the company makes people feel secure and involved.

1. Encourage a Culture of Recognition and Appreciation

We first have to clear up a common point of confusion. “Employee experience” is not exactly the same thing as “employee engagement”, even though the two concepts are very closely related. Everything your employees see, feel, and interact with as a member of your company contributes to their overall experience with your company.  Deloitte found that 80% of executives stated they believe employee experience is very important.

A culture of recognition is paramount in enhancing employee engagement. The Workplace Research Foundation notes that employees who receive regular recognition and praise are not only more productive and engaged but also more likely to stay with their organization.

By acknowledging and valuing the contributions that employees make, employers amplify the intrinsic motivation within their teams, creating a positive feedback loop of appreciation and effort.

When you give your employees the right experience, they will naturally become engaged and emotionally committed to your organization and its goals. This engagement makes your employees happier, more productive, more profitable, and less likely to leave. HBR found that companies that focus on employee experience return 4x the average profit and 2x the average revenue.

With Grytics, you can quickly notice the most engaged employee of the week, the month or even the year. Thanks to the Wall of Fame you can congratulate them and show them some recognition.

Let’s take an example : Initiatives such as “Top-performing teammate awards”, acknowledgment in company communications, and tangible rewards for milestones are relatively simple yet highly impactful methods of showing appreciation.

2. Empower Employee Voices: Enhance Engagement through Trends and Feedback

Identifying engagement trends and thrilling content with employees is pivotal. Insightful analysis of activity data, serves as a potent tool for detecting the topics that hold tangible relevance and interest for the workforce.

According to a study by Smarp, companies that practice effective communication are 4.5 times more likely to have engaged employees. Using sentiment analysis is the way for understanding employees feelings and concerns. A platform can be used for letting the voice of employees to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.

By analyzing this data, internal communications teams can gain a robust understanding of the thematic currents flowing through the employee dialogue and interaction, thereby allowing them to craft communication strategies and content that not only align with but also amplify these prevailing themes.

Moreover, transparency from leadership about organizational goals, challenges, and changes fosters a sense of belonging and security among employees, thereby strengthening their emotional investment and engagement within the company.

Let’s take an example : An internal communications team, through platforms like Viva Engage, can allow not only for the transparent dissemination of organizational information but also for collecting and addressing employee feedback and concerns, thereby building a robust, engaged organizational community.

3. Offer Professional Development Opportunities

Once we’ve spotted the hot topics and sifted through feedback, it’s clear that employee happiness and growth opportunities at work go hand in hand.

By recognizing the Top Contributors, you can highlight top engagers to acknowledge and motivate them. By highlighting and celebrating top engagers in various platforms and forums, you not only validate their efforts but also establish them as role models, motivating others to amplify their engagement, fostering a collective spirit that propels the organizational culture towards greater inclusivity and achievement.

Employee engagement is inextricably linked with opportunities for career growth and development. LinkedIn’s 2018 Workforce Learning Report highlights that a staggering 94% of employees would remain longer at a company that invests in their career development.

By offering structured career progression paths, continuous learning opportunities, and investing in the development of their skills, businesses not only enhance the capabilities of their workforce but also construct a compelling environment that encourages loyalty and deep engagement.

Let’s take an example : Internal communications can spotlight the top contributors by initiating a "Employee of the Month" and offer him a training for developing a new soft skill or hard skill which  will be beneficial for the employee.

Conclusion

Employee engagement can be elevated through strategic, thoughtful approaches that hinge on recognition, communication, and continuous professional development. By creating a workplace environment where employees feel valued, heard, and equipped for future challenges, organizations constate  higher engagement levels. Although these methods necessitate a commitment of time and resources, the returns — reflected in amplified productivity, increased profits, and improved employee loyalty — are both well-established and significant, driving businesses toward a future marked by enduring success and a vibrant workplace environment.

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