The 7 advantages of an internal communication platform

Having one central internal communication platform in place is key for companies with many non-desk workers. Non-desk workers (it’s in the name) don’t have a desk. They work as a cashier, shelf stocker, or a waiter. They don’t have a computer or even a business email address.

Internal communication with non-desk employees is therefore not as easy as with employees with a fixed workplace. An internal communication platform tailored to the needs of non-desk workers is then a real must-have for your organization.

Is your organization not using an internal communication platform yet? Then it’s time to start using one right now. In this blog, you will read why you should start using an internal communication platform.

An internal communication platform: what is it?

You can compare an internal communication platform with a social platform, such as LinkedIn or Facebook. On this communication platform, you involve your employees in everything that happens within your organization:

Employees have a personal timeline where they can find relevant messages.
Push notifications keep employees up-to-date on the latest news.
Employees can send each other messages. Think of sharing work tips or photos of the latest company party.
Employees can welcome new colleagues, celebrate their colleague’s birthdays or work anniversaries.
This platform lets employees view their real-time work schedules en lets employees exchange shifts.
Your employees can use the chat to ask their manager any question they might have.

Want to learn more about Oneteam’s solution for internal communication? Discover our internal communication solution.

Reasons to start implementing an internal communications platform

Overview and clarity
No miscommunication
Engaged employees
Happy customers
Lower employee turnover
Increased productivity
Increased expertise

1. Overview and clarity thanks to unified communications

The following situation might sound familiar to you:

You use the bulletin board in the canteen for top-down messages from the head office.
You put the schedules for your employees on the intranet and you communicate with them about the shift change via WhatsApp or intranet.
Your employees use WhatsApp groups to communicate with each other.
Your employees receive updates from your organization every now and then via Facebook. For example, updates about new products, and discounts.

This abundance of communication channels is confusing. Still, you do not know if your messages reach all your employees. Do they read them?

Also, your employees don’t like using different communication channels. Especially, using private internal communication tools, such as WhatsApp and Facebook for work, is a major source of annoyance for them. Employees normally use those channels for communicating with their family and friends.

If you make use of WhatsApp and Facebook, you’ll destroy the work-life balance of your employees. This is a source of irritation for your workforce. Besides, WhatsApp is not GDPR-compliant.

Say goodbye to multiple communication channels. Unify internal communications into one platform.

You will notice that it’ll save you a lot of time. Anrico Maat, owner of Maripaan Groep, a leading supermarket chain in the Netherlands, says:

“Thanks to Oneteam, we are fully in control of our internal communication in these crucial times. We can communicate important announcements to our 2,200 employees at the touch of a button. The communication actually arrives and that creates clarity. The reports about who, what and when has read the messages gives me peace of mind as an entrepreneur. This would absolutely not have been possible with e-mail and Whatsapp. An absolute must, especially in this day and age." - Anrico Maat - Founder of De Maripaan Groep

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2. No miscommunications

Did you know that organizations spend 17 hours per week on correcting mistakes caused by miscommunications? Implement an internal communications platform, and this problem will be solved.

Your information will immediately reach your employees. And, most importantly, you can measure who reads your messages. If necessary, you can send employees a reminder when you know they didn’t read the message.

An internal communication platform is perfectly designed for. You can make changes at lightning speed. An internal communication platform also works perfectly for continuously changing assortments, collections, discounts, prices and menus. You can be sure that your employees read your messages. This way, everyone stays up-to-date.

3. Happy and engaged workers, the reason behind a positive work environment

Internal communications have a huge impact on the engagement level of your non-desk employees. Recent statistics show that 74% of organizations with many non-desk workers without a communication platform are less engaged.

So there is a lot to gain for your organization here. Studies show that companies with an internal communication platform experience up to 30% more engagement of brands among their employees. Employees can easily communicate with each other and with their managers via this platform.

This way, your employees really feel part of the team. Of course, this has a positive impact on your organization’s work environment. For many employees, this would be a motivator to remain with your organization.

4. Happy customers

Within the retail and hospitality industry, customer service is crucial. In recent years, the focus on customer service has only increased.

Your employees are responsible for this great customer experience. However, it is important that they are well-informed. And they also have to feel good about the organization.

A communication platform has an influence on this. You efficiently keep your employees up to date about all changes within your company. Also, you create engagement by keeping your employees involved, since there is two-way communication. This positivity reflects into great willingness to help your customers.

5. Decreased employee turnover

The employee turnover rate for retail and hospitality organizations is highest of all industries. On average, 65% of your employees leave your company within one year. This results, of course, in high, unnecessary costs for your company.

Something you can avoid by introducing an internal communication platform. Guess what, your employees remain at your company for the following reasons: convenience and fun.

If you don’t offer those two benefits to your employees, they will search for another company that does indeed offer those two factors:

Convenience: this is key for your employees. You can think about communications with managers and employees, and being informed through an internal platform. For example, WhatsApp groups are a source of irritation for your employees. When they still receive messages from their colleagues during the weekend via their private messenger chat, their work-life balance will be disturbed. They just want to use WhatsApp for communicating with friends and family. Not for work-related stuff.
Fun: it is important for your employees to have fun during work time. For example, company parties, celebrate successes, a great work environment and communicating with colleagues. An internal communication platform connects your employees. They can easily communicate, share tips, and share photos or videos. Also, it is possible to celebrate birthdays or post photos from the last company party. With a platform, you’ll increase engagement among your employees. This will make your employees feel more connected with your organization.

6. Increased productivity

If your employees are well-informed, they are more engaged with your organization. They’ll feel that they are valued.

This has a positive impact on your team’s productivity. Your staff will feel comfortable with your organization. They support your corporate culture. They are extra motivated to walk the extra mile for your organization. According to Harvard Business Review this can increase productivity up to 31%, thanks to an intern communication platform.

7. Long-term benefit: employees become experts

The longer your staff works at your organization, the more specific knowledge they gather about your organization. So you would have them in the long run ‘experts’, can name. They know your products like no other. In addition, they know which promotions are running and where all products are, or what the menu looks like. They can also solve customer questions faster. Good staff is therefore a long-term benefit of an internal communication platform.