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The fifth episode of our HR GameChangers series addressed the complexity of engagement strategies within digital environments, a particularly relevant topic as many organizations continue to navigate remote and hybrid work.
From personalizing digital tools to fostering a culture of collaboration and gathering impactful employee feedback, this episode explored how leaders can better equip themselves and their teams for success.
For more HR technology insights, check out our previous episodes:
And if you’re not registered for the series, you can register here.
Watch the full conversation from episode 5 below, or keep reading for a quick recap of the highlights.
Enhancing Engagement: Quick Recap
Here’s an introduction to our incredible panel for this episode:
Miguel Vieira da Silva, Head of People Care, Superside
Erika Westphal, Sr. VP of People Operations, WorkSpan
Andrew Heywood, Sr. Talent Acquisition, Ouro (former)
Moderating this session was Janelle Henry, Head of People at RadAI and GoProfiles customer.
Customizing Digital Tools
One of the core themes discussed was tailoring digital tools to meet the diverse needs of employees. Erika Westphal, Senior Vice President of People Operations at WorkSpan, shed light on their approach to streamlining tools.
“We do a biannual review of all the tools that we have, ensuring that we’re streamlining all the tools through our HRIS to eliminate redundancy and focus on tools that best support our employees’ diverse personas.”
—Erika Westphal, Sr. VP of People Operations @ WorkSpan
This notion of personalization is crucial in designing tools that enhance rather than hinder productivity. By focusing on the end-user—employees, in this case—organizations can craft a more intuitive digital experience that complements daily workflows.
Adding another dimension, Miguel Vieira da Silva, Head of People Care at Superside, emphasized flexibility. For Superside, which operates entirely remotely, having such flexible tools is not just beneficial but a necessity.
“It’s essential to have a tool adaptable to different needs across the board. Slack, for instance, facilitates various communication styles, which is fundamental for supporting our diverse team.”
—Miguel Vieira da Silva, Head of People Care @ Superside
Role of Employee Feedback
Collecting and utilizing employee feedback emerged as another key theme of the discussion. Andrew Haywood, former Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Ouro, stressed the value of feedback, describing it as a gift. His experience at companies like Roblox showcases the power of feedback loops in creating actionable insights that drive real change.
“Feedback is truly a gift, and you want to give feedback and get feedback so you can continue to be better in your craft and for your employees.”
Miguel highlighted Superside’s robust feedback mechanisms, discussing their quarterly engagement surveys and user interviews that cover a wide span of their workforce.
“We’re really intentional about our feedback loop. It’s not just about collecting data but about partnering with our people leaders to unpack those results and find meaningful ways forward.”
—Miguel Vieira da Silva, Head of People Care @ Superside
Supporting Employee Well-being
As organizations strive to nurture their employees holistically, the role of digital tools in supporting well-being and mental health became a focal point. Janelle Henry, Head of People at RadAI, shared an innovative approach her company is taking—using tools that track PTO usage to prevent burnout.
“We’ve implemented reports that flag when employees take too little time off, prompting leaders to encourage rest. It’s about flipping the narrative from monitoring to supporting.”
—Janelle Henry, Head of People @ RadAI
Building on this, Erika Westphal mentioned the introduction of well-being as part of team KPIs at WorkSpan. Through these practices, companies can demonstrate their commitment to employee care, leading to higher satisfaction and productivity.
“I’ve added well-being metrics to our team’s KPIs, emphasizing the importance of personal health alongside professional duties. It’s crucial that people feel empowered to take a mental health day when needed.”
—Erika Westphal, Sr. VP of People Operations @ WorkSpan
Tackling Engagement Challenges
A recurring theme was recognizing and overcoming the challenges that different work models—remote, hybrid, or office-based—present. Andrew Heywood provided insight into the user adoption challenge.
“It’s about ensuring that employees are not just equipped with tools but that they’re also engaged with them. This requires intentional, strategic communication and support.”
Erika Westphal highlighted the potential pitfalls of tool proliferation, reminding attendees that “more is not always better” when it comes to digital tools. The evaluation of tool effectiveness is integral to maintaining streamlined and efficient workflows.
Impact of Communication
Communication, particularly in remote settings, was noted as essential to successful team collaboration. For Superside, as Miguel mentioned, intentional communication and clear expectations are the foundation of their operational success. “We’ve found success by being very explicit about expectations and ensuring that even in a digital environment, everyone is aligned and informed.”
Andrew Heywood echoed the importance of intentional communication, sharing how companies like Roblox have maintained team cohesion even in remote setups. “Being intentional with meetings, ensuring they’re efficient and productive, and not missing out on social aspects, even digitally, are key.”
Key Takeaways
Customization and Flexibility: Organizations must prioritize personalizing digital tools to meet the specific, diverse needs of their employees. This customization leads to enhanced productivity and engagement.
Value of Feedback: Regularly gathering and acting on employee feedback helps fine-tune digital tools and strategies, ensuring they effectively support the workforce’s needs.
Focus on Well-being: Digital tools should not only enhance productivity but also contribute to employee well-being and mental health, fostering a more satisfied and loyal workforce.
Strategic Use of Tools: The effectiveness of digital tools relies on their strategic use and integration. Overhauling tools that do not serve the company’s goals is crucial.
Clear Communication: Ensuring consistent and clear communication, especially in remote settings, is vital for team engagement and collaboration.
Panelists’ HR Mottos
The session concluded with reflections on career mantras that have guided the panelists in their leadership roles, with all agreeing on the transformative power of openness, honesty, and feedback.
Miguel Vieira da Silva: “Happy employees make happy customers. We cannot overstate the importance of delivering an exceptional internal experience.”
Andrew Heywood: “The shift to digital must not forget the human element. Intentionality in our interactions is what will drive real engagement.”
Erika Westphal: “The goodness that you receive in mentorships and growth opportunities should inspire you to give back just as much.”
Looking Ahead
This episode highlighted that enhancing digital experiences for employees isn’t just about implementing the latest technology—but integrating it thoughtfully and strategically. This forms a solid foundation for fostering engagement, improving satisfaction, and ultimately driving organizational success.
Keep an eye out for the next webinars in this series covering leadership through change, building resilient cultures, and empowering remote teams—topics that are certain to provide further insight into navigating today’s digitally-driven work environments.
How GoProfiles Drives Employee Connection
As discussed in the webinar, tools like GoProfiles are transforming the digital workplace. Using AI to drive employee engagement and meaningful connection, GoProfiles fosters stronger work relationships and more inclusive workplaces.
We’ll discuss how to foster a culture of collaboration through communication platforms, personalizing digital tools to align with individual employee needs.
Register now to stay ahead of the game in 2024 and beyond!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is customizing digital tools important for organizations? Customizing digital tools allows organizations to tailor solutions that cater to the unique needs and workflows of their employees. This ensures that tools enhance productivity and usability rather than creating obstacles or inefficiencies.
2. How does employee feedback influence digital tool strategies? Employee feedback provides critical insights into the effectiveness of tools and processes. Gathering and acting on feedback enables organizations to refine their strategies, address pain points, and ensure digital tools align with workforce needs and preferences.
3. What role do digital tools play in supporting employee well-being? Digital tools can play a significant role in promoting well-being by identifying patterns like insufficient time off and encouraging healthier habits. They can also integrate well-being metrics, helping organizations emphasize the importance of mental health alongside professional responsibilities.
4. How can organizations tackle challenges related to tool adoption and engagement? Addressing adoption and engagement challenges involves strategic communication, ensuring employees understand and feel supported in using tools. Streamlining tools to avoid redundancy and focusing on their effectiveness helps maintain engagement and optimize workflows.
5. What strategies ensure effective communication in remote or hybrid work settings? Effective communication in remote or hybrid settings requires intentionality. This includes setting clear expectations, fostering alignment, and ensuring meetings are purposeful. Building opportunities for social connection and consistent information sharing is also essential for team cohesion.
6. How can organizations balance productivity with employee satisfaction? Balancing productivity with satisfaction involves integrating tools that not only enhance efficiency but also foster a positive employee experience. Emphasizing well-being, flexibility, and personalization helps create a supportive environment that drives both satisfaction and performance.
