If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t predict everything coming our way in 2022. But fortunately, one thing we can predict is trends in the land of employee communications – and here are our top three.
1. Adding a human touch
In 2021, employee wellbeing took centre stage. Companies rightly poured a lot of time and energy into letting employees know that it was OK to be open and honest about any struggles they were having, as we all continued to navigate the effects of the pandemic.
We predict this is creating an appetite now for more ‘human’ comms all round. Whether it’s the CEO choosing to show a more emotional side in an employee video, or a business encouraging the use of internal chat channels to share experiences, these more personal communication styles are paving the way for more meaningful employee engagement strategies. In turn, they’ll lead to better communication throughout whole organisations.
2. Use visual elements
When it comes to marketing, the more visual the better. According to one study by Forbes, 91% of consumers prefer interactive and visual content over traditional, text-based or static media.
This fact doesn’t feel surprising, and yet when it comes to internal communications, it can easily be overlooked. Employees are essentially consumers – you want them to engage with whatever you are communicating!
We work with an increasing number of clients to help them bring their internal comms to life visually. Think engaging video content, infographics and GIFs to bring alive sometimes complex information around things like share plans and reward packages. Creating visually appealing content doesn’t have to be high-cost either. With today’s mobile devices, you can capture some of the most authentic video content at the touch of a button.
3. Getting ’appy
We live in a world now where emails are considered a ‘traditional’ form of communication. Email is still a vital channel, of course – and one we’re all using more than ever in the era of remote working. But for workforces increasingly made up of Gen Zs, the app is where it’s at. Employee engagement apps can host everything from your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), to tailored benefits, rewards and wellbeing content. They can be a great way to engage younger generations, but also workforces that aren’t traditionally sat in front of a computer screen all day – including a lot of our key workers. The app sits on employees’ phones, which means you can connect with them wherever they (or you) are. We think more and more companies will be looking to the power of mobile-first employee comms in 2022.
So what’s on your radar for 2022? Are there any other hot-off-the-press trends you think should have been included above? If you’d like to adopt these tips in your own share plan or reward communication and would like some help, please get in touch to arrange an informal intro call.
