With the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, the world of work has changed in many ways. Now, remote work is on the rise, as home-based work has replaced the scenarios when the employees used to sit in their offices working in traditional settings. As a result, telecommunication came to light as an imperative tool for remote teams working together on projects based on far-flung locations around the world.
However, it posed a threat to internal communications. The traditional methods of interacting with employees simply don’t cut it as the important information might not reach everyone who needs it.
The only and ultimate solution to such a huge challenge is a mobile application. It is the best way to reach the entire workforce, irrespective of their location or time. This software can be downloaded onto a smartphone and tablet to access data from management, colleagues, and different departments within the organization.
The employee communication app can be the main internal communication channel that can be used in conjunction with other methods of interaction. But, every organization has different needs; therefore, no one-size-fits-all solution can be your choice. To allay this stress, we are here with certain tips you need to consider when comparing different mobile applications.
Specify the Needs of the Company
You sure want to choose a fit-for-purpose system, but have you specified the needs of your organization? If you haven’t, check on your needs, like whether you send general news announcements or specific information as well. Make a list of everything you need to not forget anything.
If You Need a Chat Function
A chatbot encourages employees to communicate with colleagues and other members of the company quickly. Sometimes, its over-use creates extra digital noise in the workplace. So, check if that’s an important feature for you.
If You Communicate Emergency Information
Emergencies can affect just about any business. But, at the same time, keeping the workforce safe is paramount. Since such events can take place anytime and anywhere, and you would want to make everyone aware about them as quickly as possible, a communication app should be your ultimate integration.
Ask Employees about Their Preferences
The employees will be the eventual users of the application; thus, their preferences matter when choosing one. Now, you can also check this by your workplace demographics. Or simply poll your people to find out how they would like to receive information.
Costing and Budget
Your hard-earned money will be at stake, so make a final decision wisely. Fortunately, the actual price of such software is only one part of the cost. Note that not every cheap system is better. Sometimes, they lack important features and are difficult to use. So, choose one that saves you productivity.
Check if the App Shows Detailed Metrics
Metrics and analytics are important; without them, you can’t ascertain how successful your campaign has been. Without detailed metrics, you wouldn’t be able to check if the information is received by the employees. So, make sure your final purchase includes this must-have feature.
Check if the App Is Easy to Implement
Your goal is to ease up the connectivity within the organization. A complex and difficult-to-use system can’t meet that objective. Therefore, check among several options you narrow down, which one is easy to implement and effortless to use.
If the Vendor Offers Ongoing Support
Mobile applications are prone to technical issues in the long run. Hence, you should ask the vendor if they are offering ongoing support as well. If yes, this will save you lots of time and get you emergency access to vendor support.
In a nutshell, first, consider what your employees and your organization need and then evaluate your budget and affordability. Having done that, you can get an employee communication app that keeps every department connected all throughout.
