2.7 billion workers don’t work at a desk and only 13% of them feel engaged at work. What’s more, a whopping 84% of these under-engaged workers don’t believe they get enough information from management, and 75% feel out of the loop when company policy changes or other impactful events occur.
These statistics are certainly a wake-up call. To help organizations respond, we have identified key internal communication trends for the 2019 digital workplace. We pay specific attention to the impact on operations and productivity in all organizational departments from executive to operations teams.
Why You Can’t Ignore Your Internal Communication Strategy
At its core, internal communications refer to how people in an organization share information with each other. Traditional forms of employee communication in non-desk industries like hospitality, manufacturing, construction, retail, etc. include bulletin boards and emails depending on your workplace environment.
As millennials and Generation Z make up a growing, substantial portion of the workforce, these more traditional forms of communication are being replaced with mobile technology. In fact, a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data reports that 35% of American labor force participants – or, roughly 56 million people – fall within the millennial demographic, making them the largest generation in the contemporary U.S. labor force.
The Benefits of Secure Solutions
Unlike consumer messaging tools such as WhatsApp, CIOs should weigh the pros that subscription-based internal communication platforms are explicitly created with data security and privacy front-of-mind because they are designed for business communication. Here are some of the most IT-relevant digital communication features to keep in mind:
- Automated administrative operations means less room for human error. Workplace communication apps can automate frequent messaging pertaining to cybersecurity alerts, safety notices, or other important security information.
- Centralized platform. Project updates and company announcements are shared in a centralized space, so your workforce shares knowledge and gets answers faster.
- Intuitive navigation. A simple, familiar user interface means better workforce adoption.
With data security a top concern, it’s vital that CIOs truly minimize non-compliance risk without compromising on state-of-the-art digital tools.
Using Data to Make the Best Case for Tools
Today’s business world relies on data for assertions to be accepted as facts. Making your case for the need to invest in internal communications is no exception. Beekeeper can provide you with the insight and qualitative data that you can use to pitch investing in internal communications.
On Beekeeper’s operational communication platform, operations management can view the analytics dashboard to see how employees use an employee app. You can track how employees use the platform, the percentage of employees who open pulse surveys, or confirm they have read urgent messages.
With the right planning, your internal communication strategy for 2019 can be both steady and nimble as your organization navigates the waters of exciting change in workforce demographics, technological fluency, and the ability to raise productivity.
