How enterprise mobile apps can revolutionise internal comms

Enterprise mobile apps have never been so important. For most organisations, regularly updating employees with business critical information has historically followed a one-way communication model. In this new era of constant and rapid digital conversation, it’s unlikely that one-way interactions will be tolerated for much longer.

The new generation workforce are in a position where they want to be more involved, they want to feel like their voices are being heard and quite frankly, there are many that are not willing to invest their time working for a company where they don’t believe their opinions are valued.

The role of Smartphone technology

Regardless of industry, most working adults within the UK will have access to a smartphone. By paying attention to that thought on its own, you should already be thinking about how you can use that to your advantage when you assess your internal communications strategy.

You may rely on face-to-face meetings, online video calls, or regular emails to teams and departments. For any of those activities, what is the likelihood that you will achieve a 100% attendance rate? How do you reach all members of your organisation?

For non-desk employees or front-line workers who aren’t able to easily access a desktop PC, mobile applications are one of the few tools with an ability to facilitate sharing information on a regular basis. Provided you pick the right one, communication via enterprise mobile apps can encourage social interaction through likes, shares, comments, all methods that they are most likely comfortable with from using any social media platform.

It also allows employers to gather data and insight. What messages are being received? Where have you experienced a drop in interaction? What changes need to be made for you to execute your internal communication strategy?

A new path for communication

Enterprise mobile apps provide an opportunity to introduce an additional communication channel that is accessible, scalable and has the potential to reach a greater proportion of employees.

At the moment, alongside static communication messages, internal HR and Marketing teams may distribute interactive surveys to all staff that allow them a pulse check on morale, working conditions and overall sentiment towards the company. Creating a mobile application gives employees instant access to knowledge and desire to interact with it.

As you forecast what the next five, ten and even twenty years will look like for your organisation, it’s important to consider the changes you will need to adopt to engage your workforce. As we approach a post-pandemic era, even with instability still rife amongst a number of industries, people are becoming more and more aware of their relationship with their employers. Not just those that directly manage and interact with them, but the wider business community they are part of. Without a clear and regular communication pathway, it is unlikely your business can sustain a happy and healthy workforce.

Building an Enterprise mobile application

Enterprise software can be divided into three categories:

1. Individual employee apps – Productivity and management applications
2. Department specific apps – Team activities and workflow management
3. Company network apps – Connecting all departments together in one network

With the application market predicted to amass into the billions by 2023, many companies have already adopted software applications for types one and two. These are usually selected based on the specific needs of departments or management styles.

Where many businesses lag behind is in the third. Unlike the other two types of enterprise software, it is not as easy to find an all-company enterprise solution. And this is the reason bespoke software and building a custom application look appealing.

An all-company network application needs to reflect your company values. Before you consider the technical requirements, you need to have a clear understanding and strategy regarding what you expect from your enterprise solution. Remember that not only will a good communication platform aid your internal engagement, it also has the potential to positively impact your external marketing functions as more and more employees see themselves as brand advocates.

Whether you’re ready for it or not, the future of an engaging internal communications strategy will rely on interaction. However you choose to build that activity into your organisation, you may find that without a functional and accessible application you will struggle to get information to the right people at the right time.

Are you looking to implement a custom enterprise solution for your business? Not sure if it is right for you?
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