Page 13 - KZN Business Sense 8.3 - Ebook

THE FUTURE OF EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS

Contributed by Everest Strategic holds your business together. This event planning, and ad-hoc
Communications has been particularly true during surveys while marketing teams
the COVID-19 pandemic. produce educational and engaging
e live in a world Having an effective content such as videos, infographics,
where adapting communication strategy in success stories, quizzes, coffee
Wto fast-changing place helps you improve table books or eBooks to reach
markets is no longer an option collaboration in the workplace, their target audience and
for companies and business employee productivity, and increase brand awareness.
owners. Rethinking employee employee engagement. It’s Many internal communication
communication and embracing also a great way to motivate professionals have realised that
digital technologies is here to your employees and enhance the distinction between internal
stay and we all need to make the innovation in the workplace. and external communications
necessary changes to stay current is not the best approach to keep
and competitive. Since the start It is not surprising as our employees engaged. Instead of
of the pandemic, new employee economy reopens that improving excluding marketing materials
communications trends have communication in the workplace is from the content they share
emerged, and business needs a top priority for most businesses. with employees, they are now Natalie Keegan (Regional Director, Zama Luthuli (Founder & CEO of
to adapt to them to improve What’s more, employee merging internal and external Everest Communications – KZN) Everest Strategic Communications),
workplace communication. communication is crucial when communications. and more businesses are newsletter that not everyone
What does growing a business in it comes to building a strong In other words, they launching communication would read are over.
an ever-changing world mean? company culture. The way you don’t build their content apps where employees can
Most employees are not that
Basically, it means that you need communicate the company’s distribution based on their find the latest company interested in reading long emails
your employees to have a deep values, vision, and strategy will audiences (internal vs external news and the materials they or detailed activity reports. So,
understanding of your business have a direct impact on how your stakeholders). Instead, they need in their news feed. if you think about it; why do
goals, stay on top of industry employees feel about the company. have a holistic approach where That way, they can communicate people browse their social media
trends, and come up with strategies Five employee communication they distribute content based on with their employees in a fast and feeds several times a day?
that will take your product or trends that can reshape the their audiences’ needs. engaging way.
business to the next level. workplace today and beyond At the end of the day, what The answer is simple; they are
In short, you need to help your 1. Instant access to information matters is not to only share content 4. Personalised communications looking for entertainment! What’s
more, they are looking for content
employees adapt to change and across the organisation, but to share Most employees feel that they that drives the most engagement
provide them with the right The way we communicate has verified meaningful information are dealing with too much on social media includes videos,
communication technologies. changed; we expect information with your employees. information and information infographics, and pictures.
to find us immediately rather than overload has negative impacts
Does Employee Communication having to spend time looking for 3. Mobile-first communication on their ability to focus on So, if you want your employees
Impact Your Business Success? it. So, when communicating with Millennials represent 50% of the a task – avoid “spamming” to interact with your content,
employees ensure you send direct workforce worldwide and they are employees as this makes them make it fun and engaging. And
Hang on a minute — What Is to do so, you will need to tell
Employee Communication? links to the information you want projected to represent 75% of the less engaged.
them to take on board to keep workforce by 2025. stories by including visuals in
Essentially, employee them engaged. Instead of pushing standardised the material that you share with
communication involves the As we all know, millennials are (and sometimes) irrelevant your employees. With visual
exchange of information, ideas, 2 .Adequate content distribution tech-savvy and mobile-oriented. messages, make sure you share storytelling, not only do your
and feedback with and among In most companies and So, if you want them to engage the right content with your employees read your content,
employees to achieve the business organisations, HR and with the content you share with employees. After all, employee but they also interact with it
goals originally set. Employee communication teams create them, you will need to adapt your communication is all about more often.
communication is critical to a material for their employees such internal communication to their supporting employees in their jobs The shift towards visual
business’s success. It’s the glue that as newsletters, campaign material, news consumption habits. and keeping them inspired. storytelling has already started;
In short, you will need to turn At the end of the day, it’s a win- more and more businesses are
your internal communication win situation: your employees sharing infographics, videos,
Respect and clear communication are into mobile-first employee are well-informed and enjoy a interactive newsletters, and
pivotal to building relationships between communication. great employee experience. At the quizzes with their employees. 
same time, they can do their job
Sending emails across the
employer and employees. Employee engagement organisation, or hosting meetings effectively all while feeling more (Source: Poppulo.com)

helps to build relationships that will ensure where your audience are not paying connected and engaged. For more information contact:
C: +27 (0)82 218 5205
improved employee performance and long-term attention or are doing other work is 5. Visual storytelling E: natalie@everestcommunications.co.za
not the best way to get your message
W: www.everestcommunications.co.za
Welcome to the visual world!
organisational sustainability. through to your employees. Gone are the old days where
- Zama Luthuli To improve employee you would share company news
communication, more through your monthly printed

THE ENTREPRENEUR 2022

LAUNCHED

he iLembe Chamber’s 12 shared his experiences as a 2021 Water. The academic partner of
th
annual The Entrepreneur programme finalist. the programme is the UKZN
TProgramme and Graduate School of Business &
Competition was recently launched. The Entrepreneur 2022 is a Leadership. 
flagship business accelerator
The guest speaker at the event programme that aims to unearth
was Nureshka Viranna, a Forbes the entrepreneurial gems in the For more information
Africa Top 30 Under 30 in the iLembe District, assist in their T: +27 (0)87 354 6343
E: ceo@ilembechamber.co.za
Technology category, who is development and support them to W: www.ilembechamber.co.za
the co-founder and director sustainable levels of growth.
of ShopLi. The speaker of the The programme partners include
iLembe District Municipality, Enterprise iLembe, Airports
Councillor Dolly Shandu was Company South Africa, King
also present to show their Shaka International Airport, The MC Justin Scott, Cobus Oelofse, Andy Horton, previous finalist Albert
support. Albert Mkwanazi from North Coast Courier, ENGIE Mkhwanazi from Khethi-Bet Trading pty-Ltd, Wendy Rafinetti (Engie
Khethi-Bet Trading Pty-Ltd Peakers Operations and Siza Peakers Operations), Nureshka Viranna (ShopLi), Councilor Dolly Shandu,
Nigel Kaligan (Siza Water) and Linda Mncube (Enterprise iLembe).

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