How Enterprise Social Networks Bring Together your Frontline Workers

Enterprise Social Networks (ESNs) are usually associated with deskbound workers.

Off late, field workers too are being inducted in the loop.

Many businesses provide frontline workers with ESNs.

These networks can be accessed through mobile devices.

They usually have email-less access which is ideal for deskless workers.

Deskless workers don’t have workstations or PCs in the office.

They use their smartphones for all digital interactions.

Worker buy-in of ESNs will depend on various factors.

These tools promote both top-down and bottom-up communication!

What is Enterprise Social Networking

ALL workplaces need good collaboration and communication.

The transition to remote work requires secure tools to stay connected with your teams.

Tools are also needed in managing remote teams.

Enter the Enterprise Social Network!

These platforms mirror consumer social networking apps.

ESNs, as the name suggests, are only for employees within a professional circuit.

They are secure, regulated and admin controlled to varying degrees.

Most ESNs are accessible from your smart phones.

Just like regular social media, ESNs let you share “posts” and message your teammates and managers in real-time.

Most importantly, these tools break through silos, creating a collaborative work culture.

ESNs are replacing traditional intranets with a focus on office interaction.
The first social networks were created in the early nineties.

In addition to collaboration, ESNs help organizations boost business by improving productivity.

Knowledge sharing, news and announcements and team collaboration are some of the main benefits of these digital networks.

Reasons Why Frontline Organizations Need an ESN

Stats speak louder than words.

Out of the almost 3.5 billion strong global workforce, 2.5 billion workers are NOT deskbound.

Meaning 80% are frontline (deskless) workers.

It makes sense to develop tools to cater to a large majority of the workforce.

It bodes well for business, amongst other things.

It might seem obvious that businesses cater adequately to field workers.

But the ground reality is quite contrary.

Most deskless workers don’t have professional email addresses.

Many of them are left out of the loop of official communications.

They rarely have access to any digital workplace tools either.

All this is changing though.

Businesses are realizing that it’s time to shift this strategy.

Frontline workers matter!

It helps to develop digital tools with deskless workers as the target audience.

A social platform is one such tool.

Here are a few reasons frontline workers need a social networking tool at work:

Mainly because of the lack of desktops at work.

Irrespective of where they are, they can “login” to what’s going on in the workplace.

With a social network they can stay “connected” to the workplace through their phones.

ESNs display crucial information that can be accessed from anywhere.

Many frontline workers are contingent workers or gig workers.

They don’t engage much with the organization.

A social network will ensure that they do from the comfort of their mobile device.

Engaging with frontline workers matters.

Breaking down communication barriers goes a long way too.

Giving employees a forum to express their opinions is a step up.

Moreover, letting them vent their frustration and emotions also benefits a business.

They feel heard and this might lead to better loyalty and less turnover.

Deskless workers use too many softwares to get through their work day.

From payroll to shift rosters to leave application tools, all these need multiple logins.

A network that consolidates all these tools will result in a single login.

Makes the life of shift workers easier too.

All in all, an ESN is a win-win for both deskless workers and businesses.

Read our blog on why businesses need employee experience platforms for deskless workers here!

How an ESN Brings Together your Frontline Workforce

Imagine employees that just flit from task to task without having any real interaction with their colleagues.

Humans are social beings.

Granted everyone has their own way of interacting with others.

But even an introvert may want to belong and be recognized.

Giving email-less access to a social network breaks barriers between these workers who are on the move.

They can connect with each other easily.

Additionally, the company can connect with them.

Get to know them better, their needs, their grievances, and their potential.

These digital networks will help businesses harness the immense latent potential of their ground crew.

Field workers can now interact about work, join various groups and educate themselves.

The technology is in place, but how do we strategize engagement using this tool?
Speak to their problems!

To garner engagement, speak to the problems of frontline workers.

When you address their problems, they find a motive to pay attention.
Motive is key!

Put out messages that express your concern for firstliners.

Care about your employees.

If you care about them, they will care about their organization.

Engage with them more specifically.

Slide into their DMs and ask about their experience at work.

Reply to their comments, and comment on their posts when possible.

All these acts show that you want to connect with them, and they will then reciprocate.

The reciprocation can be through being more enthusiastic on the job.
Or by just being more engaged at work.

Or just through a more positive work environment.

A social network transcends geography.

You can talk to your colleagues in a branch in Argentina, and deal with vendors in India.

Location independence is the future of work!

Cross-cultural connectivity makes for a richer work culture.

Exchanging best practices enhances productivity.

A barista can talk to his colleague at another branch café to share tips on recipes and technique.

Knowledge sharing and feedback is information that can also be transmitted.

ESNs let you integrate new recruits easily.

It also lets workers access internal contacts easily through the directory.

Groupe.io as an Enterprise Social Network

Groupe.io, a mobile-first tool for frontline workers, acts as a perfect Enterprise Social Network.

The secure platform has features like internal comms, team collaboration, employee engagement, workflow automation, digital checklists and other productivity features.

It also has micro app integrations and virtual bot assistants.

Overall Groupe helps you connect and communicate with your frontline workers in real-time.

For more info on the product write to us at [email protected] or sign up for a demo today!

Learn how internal communications affects your bottom-line.