Top Communication Channels to Consider for Your Business
Now more than ever, employees feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of their team and organization, especially if they work remotely. The main reason for their negative feelings is ineffective communication. To make things worse, the feelings lower employee productivity and engagement. If you are having the same problems in your company, then you should take matters into your hands. In particular, implement fresh business solutions and improve business communication. The easiest way to make improvements is by using top communication channels. Here is a list of channels you should consider for your business.
Video Conferencing Tools
Due to the pandemic, most businesses shifted to remote work to keep afloat. This work arrangement lacks direct communication the most. For this reason, managers and employees have been using video conferencing tools to create a sense of unity and strengthen team spirit. Instead of using direct messaging apps, employees can jump on a video call whenever they want to. This enables them to connect more personally and avoid feeling isolated from their coworkers.
Even if you aren’t running a virtual team, you can still use video conferencing tools. They can reduce traveling and other expenses. However, there is one thing you should bear in mind when selecting these tools. Video conferencing is perfect for supporting business conversations but it can’t be used to solely drive those conversations or increase engagement on an organizational level.
Newsletters
Generally, brands send customers a newsletter to keep them posted about sales, discounts, and relevant business changes. Hence, newsletters are great for informing customers. Why not use it for informing employees too? If done right, an employee newsletter can significantly improve communication and employee engagement in the workplace. Moreover, you can bring the company vision and values closer to employees.
Newsletters are great for sending updates, announcing future events, introducing new team members, and celebrating milestones as an organization. However, you will need to use email to send newsletters to employees, which prevents you from personalizing messages. Still, don’t let this minor detail prevent you from using this top channel to communicate with employees. Simply explore other more effective options and find the one that suits you the best.
Private or Group Messaging
Over the years, private or group messaging tools have become incredibly popular among companies. The tools allow employees and managers to start and participate in discussions or discuss matters in private behind closed virtual doors. Teams or even departments can have their groups in the virtual workplace and share important updates or discuss ongoing projects. On the other hand, coworkers can also create groups and use them for informal conversations during the workday.
Alternatives to Teams can give employees the space they need to both deliver their best work and enjoy a casual chat with coworkers. However, it is hard to use private or group messaging to share updates on an organizational level. Nonetheless, they do make sure employees communicate and collaborate effectively.
Podcasts
Studies show younger generations listen to podcasts weekly. Therefore, you can use this opportunity and use podcasts as an effective communication channel. Podcasts with their storytelling strengths are the primary source of information and knowledge for Millennials and Generation Z. Since they now take up the majority of today’s workforce, you should make communication channels attractive to them. Otherwise, they won’t use the selected channel.
It is important to mention that podcasts usually support one-way communication. Nonetheless, you can still use them as a communication channel. Namely, you can use podcasts as a learning opportunity. CEOs and more skillful employees can record podcasts and share their knowledge with their coworkers. This way you will be making sure employees have opportunities for professional development and growth.
Feedback Software
Although feedback software doesn’t necessarily fall under the communication channels category, it can be used to improve internal communication and business practice to some extent. Businesses and employees need feedback to evolve. To collect and give feedback, managers need efficient tools. Therefore, feedback software allows employees to share their opinions, suggestions, and advice with their superiors. In turn, they will act on collected feedback and improve business practices and conditions in the workplace.
Emails
After all these years, emails are still being used as the primary communication channel in most companies. Although they aren’t the most efficient way of communication, employees use them on a daily basis. If you are looking to improve your internal communication but don’t want to give up using emails, then you should consider combining it with some other tool. This way your employees won’t waste time trying to find specific information. Additionally, no emails will get lost. As a result, employees will become more efficient in completing their work tasks and assignments, which is every employer’s dream.
Blogs
So many organizations have started setting up blogs. Whether those are internal or external ones, it doesn’t matter. What matters is how efficient communication becomes with their help. Internal blogs can help employees stay informed and aligned with the corporate mission. By creating and sharing valuable content with employees, you share organizational values with them and build a sense of community. The same goes for external blogs. They can help your brand connect with its audience through interesting content. More importantly, you can use any type of blog to announce mergers or projects, share employee stories, and celebrate corporate milestones.