The last time Ocean Spray was featured on our blog, we focused on their efforts (and success) in implementing an employee benefits website. Now that employees are comfortable with digital communications, how do we make more of an impact, gain insight and build toward the future? The organic next step was to create a strategy and management plan that would enable their communications to continually evolve and adapt to their employees’ needs. Read on to see how we helped.

There are certain employee communication plans you hope your organization never has to use. They stay tucked away in the shared drive for an unthinkable and unlikely day. But with the rapidly-evolving coronavirus pandemic blindsiding employers around the globe, the unfathomable is becoming the norm. Some are left to dig out their crisis communication plans while others are starting a draft from scratch.  

A Clean-Slate Organizational Opportunity 

In January, after the frenzy of year-end push subsides and the holidays have come and gone, organizations around the globe are presented with a unique opportunity: the clean slate that comes with a brand new year. It can be used to kick-start an array of new initiatives – from health and wellness incentives to policy and system changes, strategic planning and goal setting for the next few quarters. It’s an intuitive time to introduce mission-critical endeavors and an essential time to engage your employees for success in the year ahead. 

Productivity, Performance, Profitability & Retention: The Perks of Employee Engagement

According to a 2018 Gallup survey, organizations with higher levels of employee engagement and lower levels of active disengagement consistently outperform their competitors. From a profitability standpoint, employers who excel in engaging their employees realize four times the earnings-per-share growth of those who don’t. Companies in the top quartile of engagement achieve substantially better customer engagement and employee retention, increased productivity, fewer accidents and 21% higher profitability. Engaged workers also report better health outcomes. In 2019, a G2 Crowd survey reported companies planned to increase employee engagement spending by 45%, a sign that discerning employers recognize the undeniable importance of keeping an engaged workforce. 

The way your organization engages with your employees during these first few weeks of the year can set the tone for your most vital 2020 initiatives. Creating communications that motivate employees to get involved and mitigate their concerns can help your organization stay in that top quartile, enjoying the real perks of employee engagement.