When COVID first hit in March 2020, Sun Peaks Resort in BC was faced with an issue that became all too familiar over the course of the pandemic: how do organizations engage a remote workforce, keep employees informed, and maintain employee engagement during a crisis?
Alternatively, what should teams do when traditional methods of internal communications just won’t cut it?
According to a UK study, 71% of employees spend more than two hours a week accessing company information on mobile. Similarly, CNBC reports that 70% keep their phones “within eye contact” at work.
As the work landscape evolves post-pandemic, workers aren’t primarily glued to their desks anymore, but are on the move, as more businesses explore a hybrid work model going forward.
With this in mind, here’s why going mobile with your internal communications strategy is a great way to increase overall employee engagement.
Mobile communications are the future
Statista predicts there will be 7.33 billion mobile device users by 2023, while the World Advertising Research Center says almost 73% of internet users will use only smartphones to access web pages by 2025.
As companies incorporate more flexibility for remote, non-desk, and shift workers, it’s more timely than ever to find new and evolved ways to communicate with employees.
The lunchroom bulletin board or all-staff email have worked in the past, but traditional methods of internal comms are no longer the be-all-end-all of communicating internally.
We’re probably not getting rid of email entirely, but your internal communications strategy should reflect your teams, and that means developing an internal comms plan that works wherever your mobile-savvy employees are.
Need help creating an internal communications plan? Check out our free template.
Millennials love mobile
Millennials and Gen Z’ers account for a significant portion of today’s workforce. More than any previous generation, young people require an employee experience that lets them work in flexible ways, and mobile communication is where it’s at.
For one, it’s no secret that millennials are avid mobile users. According to Pew Research Centre, more than nine in ten millennials (93% of those who turned ages 23 to 38 in 2019) own smartphones.
One aspect of the mobile comms that millennials find appealing, aside from practical ease of use, is that it is highly collaborative and engaging. One-third of millennials say they feel disengaged at work, and surveys have found that the younger workforce isn’t afraid to change jobs if their current role isn’t engaging enough.
By incorporating mobile comms into your internal comms strategy, you create greater opportunities for conversation, collaboration, and feedback, elements that help boost employee engagement within this large and important demographic.
Boost efficiency
Over 70% of employees are already reaching for their phones to check company updates. If they’re already there, why not leverage this popular and extremely efficient communication channel to connect with your teams?
In the end, the goal of internal communications remains the same: to disseminate vital information to relevant audiences within an organization in a seamless and timely manner. If employees miss out on important information, they may feel frustrated, which in turn can impact morale, productivity, and overall engagement.
Mobile employee communication apps and tools provide easy access to corporate information and workplace tools. Not only are they practical and innovative, but they also do a great job of fostering engagement within your teams, which is just what we need as flexible working becomes even more popular.
Our Intranet with multi-channel messaging capabilities is the perfect tool to help ease your organization back into a post-pandemic world. Here’s what Sam Vycow, Lift Operations Shift Coordinator at Sun Peaks Resort, had to say about our software:
“Receiving communications through [IC’s multi-channel messaging feature] has been a lot more effective since we receive messages through our [mobile devices]. We’re more up to date about things happening outside of our world because we don’t have to take an extra step to find information, it’s all available in our phone. It’s quick and easy.”
Read more about how Sun Peaks engaged its mobile workforce today! Or, see what all the fuss is about for yourself by booking a demo, starting a free trial, or heading to our technology page to learn more!
