Posted by Andie Allan, StaffConnect Group
The world around us is changing, with most of us wanting access to information and constant communication from wherever we are and whenever we want. The rise of Millennials in the workplace means expectations are also changing around the tools we need to do our jobs effectively. With employee engagement and retention being key issues, charities can struggle to keep up and evolve the way they approach their internal communication strategies.
Findings from the 2017 Deloitte Global Human Trends Capital Report explains that the main frustrations for employees are poor communication and no follow-up on feedback. By empowering your employees to have a voice and express their opinions and ideas, they will feel more connected.
Engaged employees are more productive
According to the Workplace Resource Foundation research shows that highly engaged employees are 38% more likely to have above-average productivity. What’s more, employees who aren’t truly engaged often end up feeling dissatisfied with and disconnected from their work and are more likely to leave the organisation as a result.
Employee disengagement can be particularly impactful for charities ability to raise funds. When fundraisers are disengaged from their charities mission, they feel less connected and less passionate about the cause, and are therefore less likely to be effective in their fundraising activities.
YMCA Greater Charlotte selected StaffConnect’s mobile app platform to build levels of engagement with their dispersed network of over 4500 employees.
Embracing new technologies can be difficult for any organisation. This is especially true for charities, who may traditionally view new tech-based platforms as an additional ‘overhead’ cost. This mind-set is beginning to change, as charities are seeing the value of better employee engagement and realise it is a necessary investment to keep their workforce connected to the goals of the organisation. For charities that have a large proportion of field or non-desk workers smart use of mobile technology can make a big difference in driving employee loyalty, retention, and support.
One charity that is seeing the benefits of mobile technology is YMCA Greater Charlotte, USA. They are using StaffConnect to connect with their employees, many of which are non-desk workers and have no PC access.
YMCA Greater Charlotte have a network of over 4,500 employees. They knew that their non-desk and remote workers sometimes felt isolated. They wanted to improve communications and keep their entire workforce connected, regardless of job role or location.
Molly Thomson, VP of PR & Communications YMCA Greater Charlotte explains,
“The StaffConnect app has quickly become our employees’ primary resource for information and connection to our cause. It allows our headquarters to share important news and information with all our staff teams and allows employees t
o ask questions and make comments.
Our employees post both personal and professional content, and our senior leadership values their thoughts and ideas. Our employee’s highlight teammate behaviour worth replicating, they recognise milestones and celebrate achievements.
StaffConnect is much more than a communication tool, it is a pathway to the kind of culture in which our people want to live, work and stay.”
If you’d like to know more about YMCA and their journey into mobile technology check out the case study.
Learn more from StaffConnect Group employees, Chuck Gose & Ciara O’Keeffe, at:
