Can Communication transform Employee Engagement?

Two firms, say A & B, are implementing and devising similar mechanisms for effective employee engagement. Despite everything being almost at par, which includes the efforts undertaken, the transformation and results seen amongst the employees of Firm A, are higher than that of Firm B.

What is it then, that makes a few organizations like Firm A, masters of effective employee engagement? Well, the secret lies in their internal communication. Effective communication can transform employee engagement, to a totally different level. With employee engagement being the current buzzword, organizations keep on coming up with various activities and strategies. But above all, a consistent internal communication plan is the most important factor, in the transformational world of employee engagement.

Internal Communication, translates to the exchange of information amongst members of an organization; across all levels and organizational units.

When information travels down the hierarchy to the lowest level, and the employee feedback moves back up the same hierarchy, it is Vertical communication.

On the other hand, Horizontal or Lateral communication is the information exchanged amongst employees of the same hierarchy in an organization.

Effective Internal Communication helps organizations to increase productivity, build a better workplace and stronger teams, enhance organizational competitiveness, reduce day-to-day team conflicts, increase overall profitability; all by transforming employee engagement.

This roughly translates to organizations that maintain a transparent and updated communication channel with all employees such that there is no room for discontentment or disgruntlement. Be it a project, appraisal, crisis or a reward; an organization that shares information equally with all clearly score an advantage. Each employee has the opportunity to access information, definitely feels a level playing field.

So what can be the various tools employed for internal communication?

• Internal Newsletters
• Project Reports and evaluation feedback.
• Group Emails
• Employee Resource Groups
• Organizational App or online forum for feedback
• Informal meets
• Town Halls
• Leadership Communication
• Videos

• Developing and Managing employee tool kits like

• Detailed policies and procedures
• Legal or compliance information
• ‘How to’ information for common business processes
• Organizational information – about the business, brand, products/services, positioning and more

There cannot be a sacrosanct list of what an organization needs to do. Naturally, the strategy and vision of a customer service organization would be different from that of a production unit.

However, today, when employee engagement and experience are being increasingly recognized as a vital contributor to bottom line profits, the importance of internal communication as a key contributor in transforming employee engagement, has increased more than ever.