Employee engagement drives everything that matters to your business, from staff productivity to customer satisfaction. It's the difference between a workforce that simply shows up and one that propels your business forward.
But concerningly, only 10% of UK professionals say they are ‘actively engaged’ at work, making Britain one of the least engaged workplaces in the world. Many workers feel disconnected or are ‘quietly quitting’, meeting their job expectations but nothing more.
The solution to improving employee engagement isn't more dress-down days or pizza Fridays. It's giving your teams the digital tools they need to work effectively and feel valued.
Table of contents:
- Employee engagement explained
- 3 main drivers of employee engagement
- Competing for highly skilled workers with employee engagement tools
- 5 employee engagement tools that improve company culture
- The business impact of employee engagement software
Employee engagement explained
The accounts payable process perfectly illustrates how manual finance workflows drain productivity.
Employee engagement describes the relationship between a company and its employees. It relates to their degree of emotional attachment, motivation and commitment to the employer’s goals.
Employee engagement levels are particularly high when people’s career and life goals are in sync with the company's culture and vision. This alignment helps to build an emotional bond between employees and their workplace, fostering advocacy and loyalty.
3 main drivers of employee engagement
At its core, employee engagement involves three dimensions:
- Intellectual: How do employees think of your company? Can they identify with your values?
- Emotional: How do employees feel at work? Are they satisfied with the work environment and their job?
- Behavioural: Do employees complete their work with commitment and motivation? Are they loyal, and would they recommend your company to others as a great place to work?
As an employer, you can strengthen these three areas by offering opportunities for mentoring, continuing professional education, and creating policies that promote a work-life balance.
Competing for highly skilled workers with employee engagement tools
Employee engagement plays a crucial role in attracting new talent. Job candidates may search various sources to find out what your employees think of you. They might look at online review sites like Glassdoor, speak to professional connections through LinkedIn, or carefully examine your website and career page.
Due to the shortage of skilled workers and the increased expectations of job seekers, it’s becoming more difficult to find and retain qualified staff. Over a third (37%) of UK employers currently have 'hard to fill’ vacancies, according to CIPD research. Companies using employee engagement tools are better positioned to attract and retain highly skilled workers.
Engaged employees are more likely to become brand ambassadors and positively portray your business on public forums. Introducing employee engagement tools, such as eLearning, collaboration platforms and workflow automation, supports this engagement by reducing work stress and improving job performance.
What’s standing in your way of higher employee engagement? Download our free checklist, which identifies the most common blockers preventing a productive and motivated workforce.
5 employee engagement tools that improve company culture
Employee engagement is a cultural objective, but it can be cultivated through practical tactics and digital tools that support daily work. In a study by Unisys and HFS Research, 62% of employees said access to technology is a motivating factor in their work performance.
Here are some of the digital tools to consider when developing your employee engagement strategy:
1. Collaboration tools
With hybrid work now the norm, it is imperative to provide employees with up-to-date, high-quality tools for remote collaboration and information sharing.
Through online chats, video calls and platforms like document management systems (DMS), your teams can work together more efficiently, exchange ideas and complete projects within deadlines (no matter when or where they work).
2. Document management system (DMS)
Some organisations still rely on manual processes for routine tasks such as capturing, reviewing and entering data into business applications. As a result, employees spend hours on monotonous tasks such as data entry and searching for information on unorganised shared drives or their email inboxes.
These manual processes impact productivity and can lead to human error and employee frustration. DMS solves this problem by simplifying the capture, storage and editing of documents, and by automating workflows. Employees become more productive and spend their energy on valuable and rewarding activities.
3. eLearning
Training and development opportunities are among the most influential ways to increase employee satisfaction and retention. Ongoing education boosts productivity.
Through digital and location-independent eLearning offerings, your employees can decide when and where they want to complete the courses and at what pace. Meanwhile, your companies can analyse successes and adapt content in a targeted manner, better supporting employees along the way.
4. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD)
BYOD enables employees to use their own devices, such as notebooks, smartphones and tablets, for work purposes. They can access the corporate network and internal company data and applications, send emails, and log into the intranet.
As a result, employees enjoy a better user experience, while your company benefits from lower technology acquisition costs. However, it is essential to create comprehensive policies and compliance rules that protect confidential data and maintain high security standards.
5. Gamification
Gamification describes the use of playful elements and mechanisms in a non-game context. For example, collecting points or badges when specific goals are met, or participating in team competitions and quizzes.
Gamifying employee engagement can boost morale and make training and education sessions more impactful. The playful elements also help to increase employee engagement by creating incentives.
The business impact of employee engagement software
Employee engagement is a fundamental driver of business success, impacting everything from staff productivity to talent retention. Companies that prioritise digital tools within employee engagement tactics will have a distinct advantage in these areas.
The employee engagement software we've explored, from collaboration platforms to DMS, removes daily frustrations and promotes meaningful, productive work. When employees feel supported by the right technology and processes, they're more likely to become advocates for your organisation, internally and externally.
Plus, potential recruits will recognise a company with a strong focus on technology as an attractive and progressive employer.
Just remember that employee engagement is an ongoing initiative. Start with one or two tools that are easy to implement and address your most pressing needs, and continue building from there.
Download our free eBook for a step-by-step guide to implementing digital tools that deliver practical business benefits, including cost savings and greater customer satisfaction.
