One of the primary obstacles many companies face of all shapes and sizes is how to build a strong and positive company culture. Investing in a healthy working environment can spark creativity, productivity, and encourage your team to be more response and goal-orientated. As a business owner, it’s down to you to put practices into motion that improve communication and engagement across the board. However, saying and doing are two entirely different things!
Thankfully, improving employee engagement can be done with the help of technology. It’s safe to say tech has become an integral component of the modern workplace. Beyond making work easier, tech can be a powerful tool for keeping employees connected and in the know. Here we will look at ways tech has helped in boosting employee engagement and keeping operations in check.
Encourages Remote Collaboration
In recent years, remote working has become commonplace in business. While the pandemic certainly played a part, the aftermath has transformed how companies do things. In fact, many businesses have kept hold of remote or hybrid working, which gives employees more freedom and flexibility in where and how they work. However, one of the main obstacles business owners face is how to keep employees engaged. The answer to this is simple – technology.
Video conferencing tools like Skype and Zoom are used to create virtual meeting spaces. This means your employees can share ideas, brainstorm, and collaborate in real-time, regardless of where they are in the world. Whether you’ve got some staff in the office or at home, everyone can work together seamlessly and keep on top of projects and tasks.
Provides Instant Feedback
One of the most effective ways to bring employees together and keep them engaged is by providing regular feedback. This is crucial so staff know where they stand within the business, what is expected of them, and what goals and objectives they need to work towards to perform at their best. Technology can be hugely beneficial when it comes to providing feedback.
Tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack can be used by everyone in the business. You can use such platforms to provide instant feedback, send messages, and help your team feel valued and supported. Being able to do this instantly can enhance communication levels and ensure all employees are on the same page.
Implements Gamification
In a nutshell, gamification is the process of adding game-like elements to non-game situations. In a working environment, gamification can be used to enhance employee productivity, engagement, and keep staff in your business.
There are all kinds of tools like Quizlet and Kahoot you can use to create engaging games and quizzes that help your team learn new skills and stay motivated. Vevox is another tool that specialises in quizzes and live polls that can be brilliant for keeping your team engaged. Check out Vevox’s live audience polling which can be implemented in your operation to provide instant feedback and keep employees connected.
Creates Learning Opportunities
There is always something new to learn in business. Regardless of what sector you’re in, it’s vital to keep up to date with industry trends and take advantage of new technology and software that could benefit your brand. Tech can be used to create a culture of learning within the workplace. There are numerous types of learning management systems that can do just that, such as LinkedIn Learning and Skillsoft.
Both tools can be used in your business to provide staff with access to training materials and courses. This gives your team an opportunity to brush up on soft skills, improve their work performance and gain the credentials needed to climb up the ranks within your company. This is especially beneficial for those who seek managerial or leadership roles.
Provides Recognition
One core part of boosting employee engagement is by recognising achievements and rewarding staff accordingly. Tools like Kudos or Bonusly can be perfectly integrated into your business and provide virtual rewards and recognition to staff. This will go a long way in making your team feel valued and appreciated.
While there are lots of incentives you can personally hand over to hard-working employees, like bonuses or additional time off, specialist programmes like those listed can make it quick and easy to show your thanks and appreciation for your team’s hard work and efforts.
Keeps Projects on Track
If there is one thing that is crucial in any business operation, it’s project management. There are always going to be client projects you and your team need to work on and complete in a timely fashion, otherwise, you run the risk of losing custom and business! Keeping projects on task from start to finish is key for keeping organised and in control.
Thankfully, you don’t have to whip out a pen and paper to jot everything down. Instead, you can use specialist tech that does all the hard work for you. Tools like Asana or Trello can be used to keep teams organised and on track. By providing a centralised location for project updates and task management, such tools are sure to keep your team focused and motivated while delivering projects on time. This is what will keep clients happy and coming back for more!
Provides Remote Onboarding
For businesses that hire remotely, the onboarding process can be difficult. Thankfully, you can lean on technology to make the process that little bit easier. Tools like Skype or GoToMeeting can be used to conduct virtual onboarding sessions. This enables new employees to get to know about your business quicker and know what is expected of them from the beginning.
It’s important to create a positive first impression whenever a new member of the team joins the business. Should you fail to do this, you can’t be surprised if your new employee jumps ship and goes elsewhere! The tools we’ve mentioned will help keep communication lines open and ensure remote workers settle in quickly. Just make sure you have members of staff involved in the onboarding process to help new members get to grips with how the business operates.
Simplifies Tasks
Once you enter the office for the day, there are a wide array of minor tasks that may not require much of your time but require some level of effort. Such tasks won’t affect employee productivity. Although, your team will have more time to dedicate to other important projects if you use tech that can help simplify daily tasks.
With the right software, employees can get on with other things within the business. For example, password management software can be a lifesaver. If your information and files are password-protected, such tools will come in handy. This is because they allow your staff to access files without needing to remember or retype passwords during new visits. Another reason to invest in this tech is simple – they can increase data security. Having password management software in place can protect your brand and prevent cyberattacks from occurring.
There’s no denying it – tech plays a huge role in how businesses operate in 2023 and beyond. To keep your operation on top and have the best employees working behind you, it’s crucial that you embrace tech and software, keep programmes updated, and use them to the best of your advantage.
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