One of the biggest challenges companies face, especially as they grow, is keeping their employees engaged while maintaining a strong communication culture. Communication is key to success and no company, no matter its size, should ignore the importance of human interaction within their organization.
Below are 6 important tips on building a strong communication culture:
1. Use Messenger Apps and Online Groups
You might have a growing team, or your company might be spread out in different locations. A great way to stay in touch and build a strong culture of communication internally is by using messenger applications for businesses such as, Slack, Flock and Chanty. These apps offer a much better way to communicate internally than traditional email exchange. They offer different channels for each team, but also a common portal for a faster and more effective communication. Another way to engage with colleagues, is having a Facebook group to post company updates, and encourage employees to share their personal events and news.
2. Hold Weekly Internal Meetings
Letting employees take initiative and trust them individually to be productive doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hold frequent meetings to share updates and refine methods. It gives your team a sense of belonging and an opportunity to stay engaged while sharing common goals. The meetings don’t always have to be in the same format – be creative! It could be check-ins, stand-ups or touch points with your team members, whatever floats your boat.
3. Survey Your Employees Periodically
Send out anonymous periodic surveys to your employees to encourage them to give their feedback freely without any reservations. This will allow you to gain a better understanding of the general work environment in your company and get honest suggestions and ideas on areas that need improvement.
4. Start a Weekly Team Lunch
What better way to foster a friendly atmosphere than during lunch time. Bring your team together every week for a fun lunch. It is a great way to build strong bonds beyond business meetings and stressful phone calls. Bring people together and allow them to connect in different levels to feel part of the family.
5. Encourage One-on-One Encounters
Having regular one-on-one encounters is essential in maintaining employee engagement and commitment. Offices get busy and people oftentimes feel like they are acting as robots. That’s why it is important to keep a human interaction with key leaders within the company so that employees know that they matter and have a sense of togetherness.
6. Use Video Conferencing
A lot of times, people work with team members that are not in-house. Either because they’re traveling, or work remotely, or because they are working at a different office in the same or different country. Video conferencing allows team members to have a positive experience by actually looking at each other, instead of exchanging messages or speaking over the phone. Body language plays a big role in human interactions and help people grow closer, as well as build memories together as a team.
